Holcim Forms Strategic Partnership with IUCN to Boost Biodiversity and Water Initiatives

Holcim Forms Strategic Partnership with IUCN to Boost Biodiversity and Water Initiatives

(IN BRIEF) Holcim, a global leader in sustainable building solutions, has partnered with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to enhance its nature strategy. The collaboration focuses on measurable biodiversity and water targets, with IUCN validating Holcim’s biodiversity baseline and advising on improving biodiversity levels across its operations. Additionally, the partnership aims to integrate biodiversity into building standards and promote nature awareness programs. Holcim’s environmental leadership and commitment to nature conservation have earned it recognition, including its selection to pilot the world’s first Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) targets for nature in 2024.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZUG, 29-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Holcim (SWX: HOLN), one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates, concrete and related services, has embarked on a transformative global partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), aimed at advancing its nature strategy with a strong focus on measurable biodiversity and water targets. Drawing upon Holcim’s science-driven approach to nature conservation, this collaboration enlists IUCN’s expertise to validate Holcim’s biodiversity baseline while identifying avenues to enhance biodiversity levels across its operational footprint. Furthermore, as part of Holcim’s commitment to water stewardship, IUCN will provide guidance on safeguarding freshwater sources that extend beyond Holcim’s operational sites.

In a bid to infuse more of the natural world into urban landscapes, IUCN will support Holcim in driving and advocating for the inclusion of biodiversity considerations within building standards. The partnership also encompasses joint initiatives to raise awareness about the critical importance of preserving nature among key stakeholder groups, thereby catalyzing a more profound impact.

Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, commented, “Nature provides the basis that supports human prosperity and economic systems. The commitment of companies to restoring biodiversity and protecting freshwater ecosystems is key to achieving the well-being of our societies. We welcome strengthening our partnership with Holcim to implement positive change in the built environment.”

Nollaig Forrest, Chief Sustainability Officer at Holcim, expressed excitement about this new phase of cooperation with IUCN. “I am excited to be entering a new era of collaboration with IUCN to strengthen our positive impact on nature from biodiversity to water. Together, we aim to bring more nature into cities by accelerating the integration of biodiversity across the built environment, from building standards to design. Contributing to a nature-positive future is at the core of our purpose to build progress for people and the planet.”

This strategic partnership builds upon Holcim and IUCN’s prior collaboration in 2014, which led to the development of the Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System (BIRS) methodology. This innovative system paved the way for Holcim to establish the sector’s inaugural quantifiable biodiversity targets. Building upon this solid foundation, Holcim has been chosen among a select group of 17 global companies to pioneer the world’s first Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) targets for nature, slated for launch in 2024. The international environmental community has recognized Holcim’s environmental leadership, as underscored by its “double A” rating in climate and water management by CDP.

For further insights into Holcim’s Nature Strategy, please visit Holcim’s dedicated page at Holcim.com/Nature.

About Holcim

Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonize building, while improving living standards for all. The company empowers its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions, from ECOPact to ECOPlanet. With its innovative systems, from Elevate’s roofing to PRB’s insulation, Holcim makes buildings more sustainable in use, driving energy efficiency and green retrofitting. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Holcim is becoming a net-zero company with 1.5°C targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Learn more about Holcim on www.holcim.com, and by following us on LinkedIn.

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Important disclaimer – forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets, as the case may be, including with respect to plans, initiatives, events, products, solutions and services, their development and potential. Although Holcim believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions as at the time of publishing this document, investors are cautioned that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Holcim, including but not limited to the risks described in the Holcim’s annual report available on its website (www.holcim.com) and uncertainties related to the market conditions and the implementation of our plans. Accordingly, we caution you against relying on forward-looking statements. Holcim does not undertake to provide updates of these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE: HOLCIM