The Solar Stewardship Initiative achieves milestone with multi-stakeholder governance approval and seeks new non-industry Board member applications
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Wednesday 27th November 2024): The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) has reached a significant milestone in its mission to promote sustainable practices in the solar supply chain with the formal approval of its fully-fledged Multi-Stakeholder Governance Terms of Reference. This milestone solidifies SSI’s commitment to inclusivity and equal representation within its governance structure.
– Following input from the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) and non-industry stakeholders, the SSI Board has officially adopted its governance model, ensuring equal representation across four stakeholder categories: solar buyers, manufacturers, civil society organisations, and institutional stakeholders/independent experts.
– The SSI Board, comprising six industry and six non-industry representatives, is now launching a call for interest to recruit six non-industry members. These new representatives will collaborate with industry members to shape the solar supply chain’s sustainable future.
A Balanced and Inclusive Structure
The finalised governance framework ensures:
- Equal Representation: Each stakeholder group—buyers, manufacturers, civil society, and institutional stakeholders—holds three seats and equal voting rights within the Board.
- Inclusive Decision-Making: Non-industry members, including representatives from civil society, academia, intergovernmental organisations, and independent experts, will bring diverse perspectives to strategic discussions.
A Call for New Perspectives
The SSI Board will now include four distinct stakeholder categories, each holding equal voting power:
– Industry Members: Three solar manufacturers and three solar PV buyers.
– Non-Industry Members: Three representatives from civil society organisations and three institutional stakeholders, independent experts, or academics.
This balanced composition reflects the SSI’s dedication to ensuring that every stakeholder group has an equal voice in decision-making. The call for applications invites candidates from civil society, academia, intergovernmental organisations, and other independent bodies to help steer the SSI’s strategic direction. New Board members will be appointed in early 2025.
Máté Heisz, Chair of the SSI Board, stated, “This milestone formally enshrines the SSI’s multi-stakeholder ethos in our governance structure. We’re now pleased to invite diverse voices to join us in shaping the responsible future of the solar industry.”
Gemma Grimes, Vice-Chair of the SSI Board, added, “Welcoming non-industry Board members is essential to building an inclusive and balanced decision-making body. Their perspectives will strengthen the SSI’s positive impact, driving a sustainable and transparent solar value chain.”
About the Roles
Non-industry Board members will play a key role in defining the SSI’s strategic decisions. Candidates may also join the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), which provides strategic recommendations and elects non-industry Board members. SAG membership includes representatives from human rights organisations, environmental NGOs, labour unions, and independent experts.
Applications for Board positions are open until 1 March 2025. Interested candidates can review the Governance Terms of Reference and detailed role descriptions on the Careers page of the SSI website.
ABOUT THE SOLAR STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) was set in motion by SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK in March 2021, as part of a workstream established in 2015 to promote sustainable production in the solar value chain.
Over 60 organisations supported or sponsored the development of the Initiative, including both buyers and sellers of solar PV equipment – together, these organisations represent a majority market share. The SSI has the endorsement of the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) and the European Investment Bank.