With the support of the RSPB, CEMEX has committed to challenging targets covering its operations in the UK, including the creation and maintenance of 1,000 hectares of priority habitats by 2020. This is the equivalent to approximately 100 hectares per annumand represents a major investment in protecting and promoting nature and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
In addition to firm goals around the creation and management of priority biodiversity habitats, the strategy which is being presented to key CEMEX stakeholders at regional events across the country in the coming weeks, provides detailed targets within the following key areas:
Establishing biodiversity flagship sites
Empowering employees to take biodiversity action
Working in partnership for biodiversity
Champion biodiversity to promote its benefits and importance
Wildlife expert and Vice President for the RSPB, Chris Packham, said: “By committing to this comprehensive strategy, CEMEX will, with its employees, neighbours and conservation organisations, create habitats and enrich our environment. If everyone gets stuck in and just does one thing for nature, then together we can make a big difference.”
In 2007 CEMEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BirdlLife International to promote biodiversity at an international level. By partnering with the RSPB, which is BirdLife’s partner in the UK, CEMEX UK aims to complement the international partnership and drive biodiversity locally.
President for CEMEX UK, Gonzalo Galindo, explained: “As one of this country’s leading building materials companies, CEMEX UK plays a key role in creating and maintaining Britain’s built environment. But we recognise that our business has consequences. It is a key challenge for us to balance these impacts with the need to build a more sustainable future. Our vision is for a successful, sustainable CEMEX that makes a positive contribution to people and the environment.
“Climate change is posing new challenges and threats to nature. Conserving biodiversity will play a key role in our ability to adapt to these changes. This is why, during the International Year of Biodiversity, when we are all encouraged to take direct action; we are setting our biodiversity strategy with challenging targets.”
The strategy is part of a partnership which includes the appointment of an RSPB advisor dedicated to providing biodiversity focused restoration advice for CEMEX’s more than 80 UK quarries, as well as increasing awareness of biodiversity awareness among the company’s 3,500 employees.
RSPB’s CEMEX Restoration Advisor, Dr. Sam Tarrant, said “Against the backdrop of cuts in public expenditure, initiatives like this become all the more important. Bringing together the expertise of CEMEX UK and the RSPB means we have a team which can deliver real biodiversity benefits, and that local communities will enjoy the special places created.”
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