Global Solar Sustainable Alliance Initiative Launched at UNGC Summit in Jakarta
On May 25, 2025, Jakarta served as the backdrop for a pivotal moment in the solar industry, as 24 leading global solar firms, spearheaded by JA Solar, introduced the Global Solar Sustainable Alliance (GSSA) during the UN Global Compact (UNGC) inaugural Global Business Summit. This collaborative initiative aims to foster sustainability across the entire value chain in the solar sector while tackling pressing social and environmental challenges.
The summit was graced by distinguished figures from government, industry, and academia, including Sanda Ojiambo, UNGC Assistant Secretary-General and CEO, and several prominent business leaders. The pressing realities of climate change have underscored the solar industry's crucial role as a cornerstone of renewable energy, and the GSSA seeks to solidify this position further.
The initiative emphasizes a commitment to delivering clean energy while simultaneously guiding efforts to enhance sustainability from mineral extraction to end-user delivery. It advocates for green practices such as the eco-friendly sourcing of materials, the protection of ecosystems, and promotion of equitable societal growth. It stands firmly aligned with the UNGC’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the event, key representatives from the GSSA highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to sustainability in the solar industry. They stressed the necessity for multi-stakeholder engagement and the urgent need for concerted actions to address the social and environmental impacts traced back to the supply chain. The GSSA has articulated nine actionable pathways distributed across three essential pillars: Just Transition, People-Centric Development, and Governance Enhancement.
The ‘Just Transition’ pillar focuses on safeguarding ecosystems and reducing pollution through various measures, such as promoting a circular economy and establishing ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. The second pillar emphasizes building an equitable society by championing employees’ rights and enhancing work conditions across the sector. Additionally, greater investment in responsible procurement and transparency in supply chains is vital to achieve these goals.
Finally, the ‘Governance Enhancement’ pillar addresses the need for robust corporate governance and accountability, encouraging solar businesses to foster open collaborations and uphold fairness within competitive markets. This balanced approach aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable solar industry while exploring practical methods of maximizing the positive impact of solar energy.
The GSSA has received resounding support from the UNGC, with Meng Liu, UNGC China Representative, reflecting on the commendable efforts of the global solar industry, especially Chinese enterprises, in catalyzing the energy transition. He expressed optimism regarding the alliance's ability to inspire further global sustainable development through collective action and corporate accountability.
As the initiative unfolds, JA Solar's Vice President of Branding and Sustainability, Jing Li, played a key role in officially launching the GSSA. Li introduced JA Solar's new responsible supply chain strategy titled ‘Together Towards Tomorrow,’ signifying a commitment to guiding all stakeholders along the value chain toward a sustainable future.
The call for broader participation was another crucial highlight, with the UNGC encouraging other solar companies and supply chain partners to join the alliance in advancing industry sustainability. The objective remains clear: to transform the summit’s vision of ‘Better Business, Better World Accelerating the SDGs’ into actionable outcomes through shared commitments and engagement.
The full realization of the potential benefits of solar energy can only be achieved through collaboration, transparency, and a firm commitment to sustainability across the industry. This moment marks a landmark dedication to transforming the solar industry, aligning its practices with the urgent environmental needs of our times.
The summit was graced by distinguished figures from government, industry, and academia, including Sanda Ojiambo, UNGC Assistant Secretary-General and CEO, and several prominent business leaders. The pressing realities of climate change have underscored the solar industry's crucial role as a cornerstone of renewable energy, and the GSSA seeks to solidify this position further.
The initiative emphasizes a commitment to delivering clean energy while simultaneously guiding efforts to enhance sustainability from mineral extraction to end-user delivery. It advocates for green practices such as the eco-friendly sourcing of materials, the protection of ecosystems, and promotion of equitable societal growth. It stands firmly aligned with the UNGC’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the event, key representatives from the GSSA highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to sustainability in the solar industry. They stressed the necessity for multi-stakeholder engagement and the urgent need for concerted actions to address the social and environmental impacts traced back to the supply chain. The GSSA has articulated nine actionable pathways distributed across three essential pillars: Just Transition, People-Centric Development, and Governance Enhancement.
The ‘Just Transition’ pillar focuses on safeguarding ecosystems and reducing pollution through various measures, such as promoting a circular economy and establishing ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets. The second pillar emphasizes building an equitable society by championing employees’ rights and enhancing work conditions across the sector. Additionally, greater investment in responsible procurement and transparency in supply chains is vital to achieve these goals.
Finally, the ‘Governance Enhancement’ pillar addresses the need for robust corporate governance and accountability, encouraging solar businesses to foster open collaborations and uphold fairness within competitive markets. This balanced approach aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable solar industry while exploring practical methods of maximizing the positive impact of solar energy.
The GSSA has received resounding support from the UNGC, with Meng Liu, UNGC China Representative, reflecting on the commendable efforts of the global solar industry, especially Chinese enterprises, in catalyzing the energy transition. He expressed optimism regarding the alliance's ability to inspire further global sustainable development through collective action and corporate accountability.
As the initiative unfolds, JA Solar's Vice President of Branding and Sustainability, Jing Li, played a key role in officially launching the GSSA. Li introduced JA Solar's new responsible supply chain strategy titled ‘Together Towards Tomorrow,’ signifying a commitment to guiding all stakeholders along the value chain toward a sustainable future.
The call for broader participation was another crucial highlight, with the UNGC encouraging other solar companies and supply chain partners to join the alliance in advancing industry sustainability. The objective remains clear: to transform the summit’s vision of ‘Better Business, Better World Accelerating the SDGs’ into actionable outcomes through shared commitments and engagement.
The full realization of the potential benefits of solar energy can only be achieved through collaboration, transparency, and a firm commitment to sustainability across the industry. This moment marks a landmark dedication to transforming the solar industry, aligning its practices with the urgent environmental needs of our times.
Topics Energy）
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