Sustainability Ambitions 2020 says the new ambitions are organised around the three main pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental, and they are coupled with demanding quantitative targets.
“Sustainability Ambitions 2020 is the continuation of our 2007-12 programme, at the end of which we had achieved our key commitment of reducing net co2 emissions per tonne of cement produced by 20%,” says Bruno Lafont, Lafarge’s chairman and CEO.
“I firmly believe that a green economy cannot happen without a green industry, and there is no sustainability without a responsible industry, aware of its social contribution and steering its own change. With this programme, which comprises 34 new ambitions, we are looking to create value for all of our stakeholders: shareholders, customers, employees and local communities in the vicinity of our production plants. These ambitions define our commitments for the future and our contribution to a sustainable society.”
Lafarge’s 34 ambitions include nine major ambitions to be achieved by 2020.
These include reducing by 33% CO2 emissions per tonne of cement compared to 1990 levels; using 50% of non-fossil fuels in cement plants by 2020 (including 30% biomass); having 20% of concrete containing reused and recycled materials; reaching zero fatalities and virtually eliminate lost-time incidents for employees and contractors; having 35% of senior management positions held by women; contributing 1 million volunteer hours per year to locally selected projects, and having 75% of Lafarge’s country operations implementing a plan for local job creation.
Other aims include enabling access to affordable and sustainable housing for 2 million people and generating sales of €3 billion a year in new sustainable solutions, products and services
Lafarge says the ambitions are the result of an extensive collaborative approach. Over 18 months, Lafarge has involved employees and managers of operating units; the panel of stakeholders, major partners such as WWF and CARE and its International Advisory Board, asking them what they expected of their company and what contribution Lafarge could make to society.
