Renewable energy projects must not impact Indigenous peoples and land-connected communities, says Mark Annandale

What does sustainability certification change for the people working in aluminium operations and the communities living alongside them? In this interview with AL Circle, Mark Annandale, Director of Research and IPAF Adviser, discusses how ASI standards can translate into everyday action through staff training, transparent reporting and meaningful community participation. He explains why renewable energy projects must respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and considers how smaller producers and informal waste pickers can participate in responsible supply chains. His central message is that progress must be judged by environmental improvements and people’s lived experiences, alongside growth in certification numbers.

AL Circle: In your previous interview, you highlighted expanding ASI certification as a priority. Beyond growth in certification numbers, what evidence does ASI use to assess whether certification is helping deliver environmental improvements and better outcomes for affected communities and Indigenous Peoples?

Mark: We see positive improvements and better outcomes through:

• Certified entities public disclosure as required under the ASI Standards
• Entities implement Free Prior and Informed Consent regarding new project developments/expansion of projects etc
• Feedback from affected communities including through IPAF that share their real world experiences, that certain things are improving such as reduced impact from operations on communities
• IPAF members involved in ASI training and or IPAF projects in the field, are resulting in increasing awareness and understanding of the aluminium value chain by Indigenous peoples and land connected communities. These people can then engage with ASI members on a more informed basis
• Outcomes from the ASI Complaints Mechanism, that may include Entities responding to complaints to address impacts on communities and or the environment identified within a complaint, opportunities to establish and or enhance relationships between companies and affected communities in support of ongoing dialogue

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AL Circle: What changes should ASI certification deliver in a company’s day-to-day operations and what evidence best demonstrates that it is driving lasting environmental and social improvements?

Mark: ASI certification should ensure that the ASI Standards are embedded throughout the company’s operations and that the staff on the ground are trained, made aware of the commitments made through ASI certification and supported in implementing more sustainable operations. This may include greater transparency in the implementation of various management plans, for example, environmental management of emissions, mitigation measures and outcomes from monitoring and evaluation of water management.

Additional training of community relations staff should help them understand the local cultures of Indigenous peoples, land-connected communities and other affected stakeholders, therefore supporting the implementation of Free Prior and Informed Consent with Indigenous peoples and how this may be applied in the local setting.

AL Circle: What are the biggest sustainability gaps across the aluminium value chain today, and where can ASI certification have the greatest practical impact?

Mark: A more sustainable aluminium value chain is supported through ASI certification. Sustainability can only be achieved if embedded in the people responsible for operations, through training, capacity building and a clear understanding of their roles in their sustainable operations. Management requires monitoring and evaluation and transparent reporting to help manage and mitigate impacts. In order to understand impacts it is critical to include the affected communities who are being impacted to help determine what and where impacts are. 

Impact assessments include environmental, social, cultural and cumulative impacts. Best results are achieved through partnership with all stakeholders and in particular those most directly impacted, as part of a continuous improvement process, such as the Indigenous led Cumulative Impact Assessment method (developed by the Sami peoples of Norway).

AL Circle: How can the aluminium industry ensure that growing demand for low-carbon metal translates into responsible practices across bauxite mining, alumina refining and smelting?

Mark: The aluminium industry can achieve this by embedding circularity principles across the value chain, supporting equitable recycling initiatives with all stakeholders, including waste pickers, and reducing GHG emissions at every step of the value chain, including through renewable energy supply. Renewable energy developments need to consider their impacts and, as mentioned above, engage with affected stakeholders. For Indigenous peoples, this engagement should take place through a Free Prior and Informed Consent process to understand the environmental, social, cultural and cumulative impacts, both positive and negative.

AL Circle: How can aluminium companies ensure that renewable energy projects supporting their operations meet the same expectations for community engagement and Indigenous Peoples’ rights as their mining activities?

Mark: A critical step is to implement Free Prior and Informed Consent in renewable energy projects to enable the best possible outcomes. Renewable energy supply is critical, but these developments should not disproportionately impact Indigenous peoples and land-connected communities.

AL Circle: For smaller aluminium producers and recyclers, how can certification become more commercially viable while maintaining credible environmental and social requirements?

Mark: Even the smaller operators can meet the requirements of ASI certification, they need to be considered, targeted and utilise support available to ASI members, from the ASI Secretariat to better understand the requirements. There are several examples around the world that demonstrate this.  

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AL Circle: How can initiatives such as the IBAAS–CETIZION Verifica ESG Awards complement ASI’s mission by encouraging companies to adopt stronger sustainability practices across the aluminium value chain?

Mark: Initiatives such as the IBAAS–CETIZION Verifica ESG Awards play a critical role in raising awareness of sustainability practices. They provide a platform for showcasing some of the innovative ways companies are making their businesses more sustainable and recognise their efforts through the ESG awards.

AL Circle: As demand for recycled aluminium grows, how can the industry improve scrap traceability and working conditions without excluding smaller collectors and informal waste workers?

Mark: These are challenging questions. One example is the work ASI has been doing through the CARE (Collective Action for Recycling and Empowerment) project. This collaborative project aimed to integrate informal waste pickers into the formal aluminium recycling supply chain.

AL Circle: What practical support would help smaller aluminium extruders, casthouses and recyclers participate in certified supply chains while maintaining credible sustainability requirements?

Mark: Even the smaller operators can meet the requirements of ASI certification, they need to be considered and targeted and utilise support available to members, from the ASI Secretariat to better understand the requirements