Following years of industry work on sustainability best practices, the Solar Stewardship Initiative sets out the solar sector's next steps in ensuring transparency and responsible production across the growing value chain.
The Solar Stewardship Initiative, launched by SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK, is a solar-specific supply chain assurance scheme being designed to further develop confidence in how, where, and by whom, solar products are manufactured. This will mean businesses and consumers can trust that their solar products comply with international environmental, social and governance standards.
Full roll-out in December 2024
A new roadmap sets out the next steps of the Solar Stewardship Initiative, from the pilot stage in October 2022, through multi-stakeholder consultation, to the full roll-out of the SSI assurance scheme in December 2024.
The initial pilot stage in October 2022 will test the consultative SSI Code, which, when final, will be a comprehensive corporate sustainability standard. The consultative Code has been developed with the support of supply chain and experts across environmental, social, and governance disciplines, and is based on internationally recognised standards and guidelines.
Highest human rights and sustainability standards
Building on a foundation of international standards and guidelines, the SSI will recognise existing credible and equivalent third-party standards systems in order to avoid redundancy, audit fatigue, and to promote the use of such programmes. SSI supporters have been implementing a range of sustainability standards and frameworks in their own value chains, several which are already being assessed for recognition by and alignment with the SSI Code.
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Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, said; “The solar sector must grow exponentially to fight climate change, and with growth comes responsibility. Today the solar sector is showing how seriously we take that responsibility. Cutting through a complex issue, we are presenting a clear timeline towards a solution that consumers can trust - an assurance scheme that their solar products are made under the highest human rights’ and sustainability standards.”
Over 50 solar companies joined
Chris Hewett, Solar Energy UK CEO, said: “The solar sector is a vital part of the solution to the core challenges we face: climate change, the cost of living crisis, and ensuring our energy security. The sector must grow, and it must grow responsibly. The Solar Stewardship Initiative shows clearly how the industry takes its obligations seriously, and we are proud to support this work. The Solar Stewardship Initiative will deliver assurance which means that consumers can have confidence that the solar industry operates to the highest ethical standards.”
Over 50 solar companies, from across the solar value chain, have endorsed the work and goals of the Solar Stewardship Initiative via a joint statement.
The Solar Stewardship Initiative will be officially launched via online webinar on Tuesday 4th October 2022 at 14:00 CET. Register here. (hcn)
