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Collaborating to improve understanding of ecosystem services
 ASI engaged the University of the Sunshine Coast in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy to undertake a study with Indigenous people to better understand ecosystem services (ES).
New developments, such as mines, are increasingly required to undertake environmental and social impact assessments. However, few address the ES that are valued by local communities. As a result, mine site management, rehabilitation, and compensation activities may fail to prevent the loss of some ES, particularly those valued by remote Indigenous communities where peoples’ wellbeing is tightly linked to nature.
ES are provided by ‘natural capital’ assets such as forests, rivers and oceans, and they contribute to human wellbeing. There are 4 main categories of ES:
- Provisioning: timber, bush foods, marine food sources.
- Regulating: water purification, soil protection, climate control, pollination.
- Supporting: nutrient cycling, habitat provision for plants and animals.
- Cultural: identity, knowledge systems, sacred sites, spirituality.
This study considered a region rich in both natural capital and Indigenous culture – western Cape York Peninsula in northern Australia. As part of this project, the local Indigenous communities identified the ES most valued by them. An introductory guide was developed to help better understand and navigate ES and explore models of payment for ecosystem services (PES).
In PES models, partnerships of landowners, Indigenous peoples and/or communities are paid by an investor to implement management activities that have positive ES impacts. PES investors may include conservation funds, mining companies, and other organisations looking for positive social impact and reputational opportunities and biodiversity conservation outcomes.
There is strong community interest in trading in PES markets to further support local Indigenous people’s livelihoods – providing employment and other economic opportunities from living on and caring for traditional lands. ASI is working with project partners to develop a trial project with a focus on implementing PES and options for application in multiple jurisdictions.
Learn more about ASI's work to drive nature-positive action on biodiversity, ecosystem services and bauxite mining rehabilitation.
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ASI engagement in global efforts to define methodology for a 1.5 degree-aligned GHG emissions reduction pathway
 Version 3 of the ASI Performance Standard calls for Entities (no matter where they sit on the aluminium value chain) to "establish a GHG Emissions Reduction Plan and ensure a GHG Emissions Reduction Pathway consistent with a 1.5 degree warming scenario, using an ASI-endorsed methodology when available" (Criterion 5.3a). ASI has been working to make progress here on several fronts, both by working with relevant leading global initiatives and by strengthening capacity in the Standards Committee.
A 1.5 degree scenario, developed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), is available for the aluminium sector, but there is a need to develop a science-based method for Entity-level GHG Emissions Reduction Pathways consistent with this sectoral scenario and applicable to a heterogeneous cohort of Entities present all along the value chain. In particular, given Criterion 5.3 includes all direct and indirect emissions and applies to all certifying Entities along the value chain, the treatment of scope 3 emissions is a challenge, as is the environmental burden allocated to scrap.
The IAI 1.5 degree scenario, broadly aligned with the IEA Net Zero Scenario and a top-down articulation of what the sector needs to achieve collectively to remain within planetary boundaries, has recently been further developed and built upon by Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) in its Aluminium Transition Strategy. This ASI-endorsed approach is an ambitious but achievable plan for the sector as a whole, but does not deliver the Entity level pathways methodology that 5.3a requires for certifying Entities to use.
While the bulk of aluminium industry emissions (and emissions reduction potential) lies in the primary value chain, action to increase post-consumer scrap collection and value recovery/retention (through improved sorting and design for recycling among other initiatives) and to reduce pre-consumer scrap generation are important elements in delivering a 1.5 degree aligned aluminium sector.
Some key expectations of any method are that it should:
- Be applicable to all ASI certifying Entities (not just those involved in primary production);
- Be science-based;
- Be broadly aligned with the IAI/MPP/IEA sectoral 1.5 degree scenarios;
- Address all direct and indirect GHG emissions.
With Emma Watson, Head of Standards with Science Based Targets Initiative, now sitting as an ASI Standards Committee civil society representative, we have added strength to our ability to drive alignment with climate science and harmonisation with other initiatives and sectors.
ASI (and a number of its partners and Members) has thus been active in a number of other fora over the past year to explore how a method might be defined, in particular for assets downstream of the casthouse, bringing together primary and recycled inputs.
Find out more in the full article on the ASI website.
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Three learning courses launched:
Complaints Resolution Mechanisms • Modern Slavery Risks • ASI Claims Process
ASI's educationAL team continues to work hard to meet the knowledge needs of our stakeholders with innovative and engaging learning courses. This month, we launched a new course on Complaints Resolution Mechanisms (a co-production with BSR, The Copper Mark and RMI), another new course on Modern Slavery Risks (a co-production with BSR), and finally, an updated course on the ASI Claims Process.
In line with ASI’s commitment to drive, strengthen and extend positive impacts, we collaborated with BSR, The Copper Mark and RMI to co-produce an online course on "Complaints Resolution Mechanisms". This course was born from the results of ASI’s September 2021 analysis of implementation of key governance and social Criteria from ASI Certified Entities, which showed a poor and inconsistent understanding of the Criteria from Entities and Auditors. This course therefore provides stakeholders in the mineral supply chain with a basic understanding of complaint resolution (or grievance) mechanisms, including international standards and requirements and practical approaches for companies to establish and maintain a best-practice mechanism.
Furthermore, to align with the newly published ASI Standards and provide better guidance on how to address modern slavery, ASI and BSR joined forces to develop the "Modern Slavery Risks" course. This course aims to provide ASI members and auditors with a basic understanding of modern slavery risks related to the aluminium supply chain and practical examples and approaches to identify, mitigate, and report on these risks.
Last, but not least, in response to Members' questions on making credible claims, we have updated the "ASI's Claims Process" course. This updated course features:
- the types of claims that ASI Members and Entities can make;
- when and how to seek claims approval from the ASI Secretariat;
- the systems and controls required by ASI CoC- certified Entities to ensure the validity and accuracy of product-related claims.
Moreover, there’s a simulation within the course to prepare you for starting the claims process on elementAL – ASI’s Assurance Platform.
You can access these three new courses and more by registering on educationAL – ASI’s learning platform. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the educationAL team.
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Register for the upcoming 45 Minutes on... webinar:
Critical Ecosystem Areas: Better biodiversity metrics for business
Despite a proliferation of standards and guidance for business on biodiversity and ecosystem services, including within ASI’s Performance Standard, there is often a gap between the adoption of principles and high quality outcomes for biodiversity following implementation. It is important to address this gap, as biodiversity loss is increasing globally.
Countries are recognising a need to address biodiversity loss through the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) currently under development.
The Conservation, Mitigation and Biodiversity Offsets (COMBO) Program is working with countries to encourage policy which supports biodiversity targets of No Net Loss or a Net Gain following development. Application of such policy by developers requires accessible biodiversity data to identify the required actions.
As governments from around the world prepare to meet in December to agree to a new set of goals for nature for the coming decade, ASI Standards Committee member and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Senior Advisor, Dr. Hugo Rainey joins the ASI Secretariat to explore the new tools and metrics available to policymakers and industry to enable impactful decision-making against a backdrop of complex and diverse ecosystems and communities.
This 45 Minutes on... session will be held twice to enable participation in all time zones.
Session 1
Date: 8 November, 2022
Time: 8AM GMT • 9AM CET • 7PM AEDT
Register now!
You can also register for the Americas session starting at 5pm London:
Session 2
Date: 8 November, 2022
Time: 5PM GMT • 12PM EST • 9AM PST
Register now!
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Watch now: 45 minutes on... The Species Threat Abatement and Restoration Metric (STAR)
In this session held on 18 October, Ben Jobson, IBAT Programme Officer, presents an overview of STAR, and provides details on how organisations can calculate STAR scores from the site to the portfolio and supply chain level.
STAR supports the establishment of science-based targets for species biodiversity, and corporate commitments to nature positive action, and was introduced as an illustrative metric in the latest release of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Beta Framework.
>> Watch the recorded session
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In October, ASI Members achieved 4 new certifications, with several more in the announcement pipeline.
 Novelis Aluminum (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification at its rolling facility in the Jingkou Industrial Zone, Jiangsu Province, China. Consult the media release.
- AWB Aluminiumwerk Berlin GmbH has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification for the production of aluminium extrusions and mechanical processing at its Berlin, Germany facility. Consult the media release.
 RONAL GROUP has achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification with a focus on Material Stewardship for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of light alloy wheels. Consult the media release.
 Aluminerie Alouette has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for the operations, maintenance and services required for the production of primary aluminium at its Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada facilities. Consult the media release.
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In October, ASI welcomed two Production & Transformation members, three Industrial User members, and two Downstream Supporters members bringing the total number of ASI members to 264.
Read more about our new members below, and for more information about ASI membership, please visit the Join ASI page on our website!
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Waldaschaff Automotive Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
 In addition to our expertise as a long-standing automotive supplier, the success of our innovative strength is based on a number of new technologies. The combination of... Read more.
"For us, sustainability is the only way to successfully achieve our vision, which is why social responsibility, environmental protection, continuous improvement and reliable relationships with our stakeholders, are priority activities for how we conduct our business."
– Yanfeng Zhang, C.E.O.
Find more information on Waldaschaff Automotive Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. on their ASI Member page in the Industrial Users Class.
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Suzhou Hongnuan Electronic Technology CO., LTD
 Suzhou Hongnuan Electronic Technology CO., LTD is a professional surface treatment company dedicated to the research, development, production and sales of high-quality alumina materials... Read more.
“Hongnuan technology is very honored to join ASI and participate in the aluminum industry stewardship initiative. It is the future development trend of the aluminum industry and can enhance our corporate image. We will strive to become a sustainable, green and low-carbon world-famous company."
– Cao Yun He, President, General Manager
Find more information on Suzhou Hongnuan Electronic Technology CO., LTD on their ASI Member page in the Industrial User Class.
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KONEC
 KONEC has been established under a concept of “Respect for People” in the automotive industry and its associated component manufacturers in South Korea... Read more.
“Sung-Hwang Kong, CEO of KONEC, shows gratitude to join the stewardship initiative led by ASI. He insists that maximizing the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society is also a critical value that KONEC is in pursuit of. He agrees that becoming a part of something more than us would make our production capability more responsible and environmentally friendly."
– Sung-Hwang Kong, CEO
Find more information on KONEC on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.
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IKEA Supply AG
 IKEA offers well-designed, functional, and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies... Read more.
“IKEA is joining the ASI to demonstrate the need of responsibly sourced raw materials. Responsible Sourcing is the commitment we have made as a company to take social, ethical and environmental responsibilities into account across our supply chain. At IKEA, we have the ambition to make responsible sourcing the norm across our businesses and beyond, and we strongly encourage others to join the change journey needed in the whole industry towards more responsible practices."
– IKEA
Find more information on IKEA Supply AG on their ASI Member page in the Downstream Supporter Class.
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Ningbo Tuopu Group Co., Ltd.
 Ningbo Tuopu Group Co., Ltd. is mainly committed to the R & D and manufacturing of automotive power chassis system, trim system, intelligent driving control system and other fields... Read more.
“Tuopu has been committed to sustainable development, promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, building a green factory, and achieving the “double carbon” goal. After joining ASI, it will conscientiously perform the responsible production, responsible procurement and corporate governance of aluminum products, and make greater contributions to promoting the sustainable development of the aluminum industry."
– Group CEO, Wang Bin
Find more information on Ningbo Tuopu Group Co., Ltd. on their ASI Member page in the Production and Transformation Class.
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DecKorators
 DecKorators, a subsidiary of UFP Industries, Inc. DecKorators is part of the retail segment of UFP Industries, Inc. The Retail segment offers preserved and unpreserved dimensional lumber... Read more.
“DecKorators joined ASI to promote transparency in the aluminum value-chain through responsible sourcing, ESG and aligning ourselves with the best of the best in the industry."
– Michael Carpenter, Department Manager – Procurement
Find more information on DecKorators on their ASI Member page in the Downstream Supporters Class.
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Seksun Technology (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd
 Founded on December 31, 1996, with a registered capital of 77.0438 million USD, SEKSUN Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd is a subsidiary of Anjie Group... Read more.
“As a supplier of electronic and automobile parts and modules, Seksun is quickly picking up its pace in pursuing the goal of sustainable development. At Seksun, we acknowledge and support the role ASI plays when it comes to pushing for more sustainable development within the Aluminum Value Chain and hope that we would be able to grow together with other notable industry peers, all the while contributing our own strength to achieve the collective goal of Green Development."
– Yu Fu, General Manager
Find more information on Seksun Technology (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd on their ASI Member page in the Industrial User Class.
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Upcoming ASI Secretariat event participation
ASI Secretariat members are participating in several upcoming events with virtual or in-person presentations. Details on dates, times, content and info on how to join the sessions are published on our events page when they become available.
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AZ Global Aluminium Virtual Conference 2022
ASI will be participating at the upcoming AZ Global Aluminium Online Conference 2022.
Fiona Solomon, ASI CEO, Chris Bayliss, ASI Director of Standards and Andrew Wood, ASI Director of Sustainable Investment and Legal will be speaking as panellists in the following sessions:
- Fiona Solomon -- When the Public Demands Answers: How is aluminium making the world a better place? • November 9 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 am UTC
- Chris Bayliss -- Wealth Flows from Energy and Ideas: The future is green energy. How can we get there? • November 9 @ 8:30 am – 9:15 am UTC
- Andrew Wood -- Green or not Green: How long before the whole world is producing green alumina? What is the supply and demand in the meantime? • November 10 @ 8am - 8:40 am UTC
Find out more about ASI's participation on our event page.
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