All things EnvironmentAl
IAI's Miles Prosser presents some findings from its 2022 study A Circularity Case for Aluminium Compared with Glass and Plastic (PET). Image: Alex Rivers
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED)’s EnvironmentAl Sustainability Strategy Day, hosted at BMA House in London, UK last week (1 June) welcomed more than 120 members, guests, Government representatives, industry experts and sustainable solutions suppliers. The theme of the day was around the aluminium industry’s transition to net zero.
I (as well as some of the panel members) learned about greenshoring and carbon leakage, and discussed other pressing topics surrounding decarbonisation of the sector.
Lord Rupert Redesdale initiated the presentations by addressing the fact that carbon reporting is going to be integral to businesses going forward. He also stated that he believes reaching net zero “relies on technologies that haven’t even been built yet,” so there’s still a long way to go. Additionally, Lord Redesdale highlighted the complications of ESG framework, and that “one person can’t be expected to be responsible” for all the aspects involved in this within one business. ALFED thankfully has launched a new member initiative to help with this, in the form of an ALFED-accredited ESG officer training programme. This will provide resources and support representatives from ALFED members in becoming proficient in ESG to support with sustainability transition.
As Zenergi’s Cameron West emphasised, the pathway to net zero will be “a marathon, not a sprint.” It was collectively agreed that the work that needs to be done will be complex, but that guidance set out by the Government, other bodies and associations should strive to be simpler to follow, so that businesses large, small and of any type, can understand sustainability in the same way.
Collaboration was also highlighted as an important factor in making significant progress during the journey to net zero. Many of the companies presenting noted the partnerships they are undertaking. Miles Prosser, secretary general of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), stressed the significance of bringing IAI’s member companies together to encourage collaborative working.
ALFED’s second launch announcement of the day was its Aluminium Ambassadors initiative, in partnership with Bloodhound Education, which will train and equip professionals from across the industry to go into educational and corporate settings to deliver informative talks and run EnvironmentAI trained workshops, designed to spark subject and career interest.
As I stated in my LinkedIn post last week, it was amazing to hear from so many audience members after every session of ALFED’s event. There’s no doubt that the aluminium industry will remain vocal on sustainability issues, and continue to hold itself and other decision makers accountable when it comes to setting and reaching environmental targets.
Look out for the July edition of the magazine for my full rundown of the event.
- Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @CanTechIntl or LinkedIn: CanTech International magazine.
