SOME of the world’s largest glass developers, producers and packaging companies have teamed up for the launch of Responsible Glass — a global certification programme tipped to bring new sustainability standards to glass production and sourcing.
Responsible Glass has a commitment to help drive down carbon emissions, increase supply chain transparency, and accelerate the shift toward more responsible practices across the entire glass industry.
The initiative – which has been backed by some of the world’s largest glass and industrial companies, in addition to mining organisations and car brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and the sustainability advisers ARUP – collectively employ over 150,000 people in the glass sector. It is being spearheaded by Francis Sullivan, former head of sustainability at HSBC and Alan Knight, former head of sustainability at Responsible Steel.
Responsible Glass aims to develop transparent, auditable standards for low-carbon glass production; drive improvements in emissions reduction, circularity, worker safety, and sourcing practices; and introduce a certification mark for responsibly sourced and manufactured glass.
Founding members and supporters include ARUP, Belron, Ciner Glass, Climate Group, DSS+, IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance), NSG Group, Stara Glass, and WE Soda.
Francis Sullivan, chair of Responsible Glass, said, “Driving social and environmental change in the glass industry requires an approach which values industry knowledge, social and environmental expertise, openness, trust and a forum where decisions are not only transparent but also equitable. This multi-stakeholder approach, tried and tested in the steel and forestry sectors, will be pivotal for driving this change.”
Alan Knight, chief sustainability officer of WE Soda, added, “Glass is a material that touches hundreds of industries. From construction and the automotive sectors to new technology industries of the future. Only by engaging the entire value chain can we work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address other critical sustainability challenges.
“We’ve seen how this approach can transform an industry. With Responsible Steel, robust standards and global collaboration have driven real progress on transparency and accountability. Now, we’re applying those lessons to glass and bringing together companies from across the world to accelerate innovation and develop new sustainability standards for glass production and sourcing.”
Munehiro Hosonuma, CEO of NSG Group, commented, “We are very excited to join as a founding member of ResponsibleGlass. This initiative represents a significant step toward global standards for responsibly produced glass, advancing sustainability and transparency in line with NSG Group’s long-term carbon neutrality commitment.”
