Launching today. ResponsibleGlass will help drive down carbon emissions, increase supply chain transparency and accelerate the shift toward more responsible practices across the entire glass industry.
ResponsibleGlass, the newly formed international multi-stakeholder not-for-profit standards and certification programme for the responsible low-carbon production of glass is launched today with 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.
With founding members drawn from raw-material suppliers, manufacturers, recyclers and civil-society organisations, ResponsibleGlass will co-create transparent, auditable standards to help the sector achieve reduced emissions, increased circularity, improved worker safety and more transparent sourcing practices.
Glass is fundamental to modern life – from buildings and solar panels to vehicles and packaging—but the industry faces a variety of sustainability challenges. According to the European Commission, glass manufacturing causes 22 million tonnes of CO2 in Europe and 95 million tonnes worldwide each year (1- add in Note to Editors ). Progress towards Net Zero carbon emissions is slow and the sector faces other challenges, including energy-intensive manufacturing, variable recycling rates, and raw material sourcing concerns. Unlike other industrial sectors, such as forest products, steel, and aluminium – which have long benefited from sector wide global sustainability standards – the glass sector has, until now, lacked such a framework. ResponsibleGlass is working to change this by establishing clear, auditable standards for the responsible production, use, and recycling of glass. The initiative will introduce a trusted certification scheme driving continuous improvement in areas such as emissions reduction, worker safety and circularity. ResponsibleGlass will provide a mark that both consumers and businesses can rely on to identify glass that has been responsibly sourced and manufactured.
Speaking at its global launch, Chair of ResponsibleGlass Francis Sullivan says, “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. Our membership will be the driving force and the foundation for this initiative and we’re so proud to welcome WE Soda, Ciner Glass, NSG Group and the Climate Group – to name but a few who are with us today and already working with us to make this change happen.”
ResponsibleGlass’ members already include civil society, labour advocates, mining and processing companies, manufacturers, product end users and some of the biggest names in glass manufacturing – all of whom will work together during 2026 to create the first ever, global Standard and Certification scheme for glass. This will, of course, be laser focused on driving down carbon emissions, and helping glassmakers receive the market recognition they need to reward the investments needed.
“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 ResponsibleSteel, 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,” said Alan Knight, Chief Sustainability Officer of WE Soda.
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.”
ResponsibleGlass will be working with the entire glass sector including the flat glass sector which manufacturers windows, glass panels mirrors and windscreen, the container glass sector which makes bottles and jars and speciality glass makerswhich makes a wide range of technical glass products including lenses, fibre glass etc.
The initiative is supported by some of the world’s largest glass and industrial companies, which collectively employ over 160,000 people in the sector, including:
Members:
Arup – Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise for our clients across more than 130 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places.
Belron – are world leaders in vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration.
Ciner Glass – is a leading producer of glass containers. It supplies sustainable glass packaging to the food and beverage industry, with operations in Turkey, the UK, and Belgium.
Climate Group – is an international non-profit driving climate action by forming networks of business and government to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon world.
DSS+ – the global consulting firm specialising in operational transformation, safety, and sustainability for high-hazard and complex industries.
IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) -is a multi-stakeholder
coalition that sets global standards for responsible mining.
NSG Group – one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass and glazing products for architectural, automotive and established creative technology.
Stara Glass – design and build increasingly efficient and reliable furnaces, creating safe, quality and customized products and services and develop efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions.
WE Soda – the world’s largest natural soda ash provider – a key ingredient in glass production – operating major facilities in Turkey and the USA.
Supporters:
ARM (Alliance for Responsible Mining) – ARM develop standards and certification systems for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
Cary Group – A European market leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement.
ERM CVS – an independent verification and validation body.
JLR – a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and SUVs.
–ENDS –
FOR MORE INFO contact:
Ali Lucas, Project Director – ResponsibleGlass +44 (0) 7786 546724
[email protected]
Notes to Editors –
1. GHG stat on glass – https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/how-life-reducing-emissions-glass-production-2022-03-16_en#:~:text=Producing%20it%20causes%2022%20million,glass%20ready%20to%20be%20moulded.
The launch event is now live here.
The LinkedIn post with more detail on our launch is here.