The company said that the objective of the study is to facilitate a process that aims to enhance biodiversity conservation and development throughout Cemex’s operations. The process was designed to contemplate that all operational sites that overlap with areas of high conservation value will develop or strengthen biodiversity action plans within the next five years.
Following mapping of the sites, the biodiversity management plans of each were assessed, followed by a prioritisation of which sites had the highest biodiversity sensitivity. Twelve sites were identified as areas where conservation efforts should be focused first.
“Our ability to operate and access raw materials in a given location requires that we effectively protect, manage and enhance the biodiversity of the area as well as an effective site life-cycle development plan,” said Cemex senior vice president of energy and sustainability Luis Farias. “This study is a vital part of our ongoing efforts to enhance habitats and to ensure that biodiversity thrives around our operations”
BirdLife chief executive Marco Lambertini added, “The Biodiversity Scoping Study is a great example of constructive collaboration between business and a conservation NGO. It will help guide and inform conservation interventions across CEMEX’s operations, starting with the most important and sensitive sites, as well as forming the basis for promoting the sustainable use of natural resources more widely, and strengthening our relationship still further.”
Among the practical outputs of the study are maps and databases that provide detailed information on the biodiversity features of each operational site. According to Cemex, this knowledge will enhance site-level land management decision making.
