Company demonstrates commitment to sustainable management with new objectives and measures
HeidelbergCement have published their ninth Group Sustainability Report highlighting key targets, measures and achievements of the company’s corporate sustainability management.
The latest report – which was externally prepared under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines – summarizes important topics and challenges for HeidelbergCement in their drive for sustainable development.
Sustainable business management is an integral part of HeidelbergCement’s group strategy, following the launch of Sustainability Commitments 2030 (published in 2017), which sets out the company’s future sustainability strategy.
‘For us, sustainable corporate governance means constantly reconciling our profit targets with the need to safeguard our future viability,’ said Dr Bernd Scheifele, chairman of the HeidelbergCement managing board.
‘Our sustainability strategy focuses on local responsibility – towards our employees and neighbours, as well as towards the environment, at more than 3,000 locations in around 60 countries worldwide. With this report, we offer transparency about our objectives and our efforts in the field of sustainability – making them accessible to our stakeholders.’
Occupational health and safety are also central to the sustainability strategy, with the goal of reducing the number of lost-time accidents to zero. Last year the company decreased its overall accident frequency rate by 21%, compared with 2016.
Dr Scheifele added: ‘This represents a significant improvement. A large number of locations have now been accident-free for several years, while others have seen drastically reduced accident rates. Nevertheless, serious accidents still occurred in 2017. We will, therefore, further intensify our efforts to prevent accidents on a permanent basis.’
Another priority for HeidelbergCement is climate protection and by 2030 the company wants to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% compared with 1990 levels.
HeidelbergCement have invested heavily in research programmes on carbon capture and its utilization as a raw material. In 2017, the company spent €141 million on research and technology – around €24 million more than in the previous year.
A copy of the 2017 Sustainability Report is attached below.
