Sources: Holcim AG, Zug, Switerzland; CP stafff
Holcim aims to reduce cement, aggregates and ready mixed concrete operations’ respective water intensities by 33 percent, 20 percent and 15 percent through 2030. Applicable to namesake, Lafarge, Aggregate Industries, Lattimore Materials and other North America or overseas brands, the targets are part of a global strategy to become nature-positive by restoring and preserving water and biodiversity, while bringing more nature into cities.
Holcim will develop a Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS) benchmark in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Concurrent with water conservation measures, the producer seeks enterprise wide completion of quarry rehabilitation plans by 2022 and managed land BIRS baseline data by 2024. Holcim also plans to address water-risk areas through 2030 by making 75 percent of its production sites water positive and equipping all with water recycling systems. The water and nature strategy places the producer among the top 1 percent of the 500 largest global companies with science-driven biodiversity targets and the first in its sector with a freshwater replenishment commitment.
“We are taking significant steps to improve our biodiversity and water stewardship in a measurable way,” says Holcim Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer Magali Anderson. “Building on our net zero [carbon dioxide emissions] commitment, our nature-based solutions play a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change and increasing our business’ resilience.”
“Implementing Holcim’s nature strategy can drive scalable change both within the building materials sector and industry as a whole. We need all businesses to rapidly step up their actions and commitments to protect and restore the ecosystems on which we all rely to create healthy and resilient societies,” adds Eva Zabey, executive director of Business for Nature, a coalition whose partner organizations include the Global Cement and Concrete Association.