Lafarge launch Sustainability Ambitions 2020

Company presents 34 new sustainable development ambitions for 2020, including nine major ambitions

LAFARGE have entered a new phase in their commitment to sustainability with the launch of ‘Sustainability Ambitions 2020’. A total of 34 new sustainability ambitions have been organized around the three main pillars of sustainable development – social, economic and environmental – and coupled with demanding quantitative targets.

The 34 ambitions include nine major ambitions to be achieved by 2020:

1. 33% reduction in CO2 emissions per ton of cement compared to 1990 levels
2. 50% non-fossil fuel usage in the company’s cement plants by 2020 (including 30% biomass)
3. 20% of Lafarge concrete to contain reused and recycled materials
4. zero fatalities and virtual elimination of lost-time incidents for employees and contractors
5. 35% of senior management positions to be held by women
6. 1 million volunteer hours per year to locally selected projects
7. 75% of country operations to implement a plan for local job creation
8. enable access to affordable and sustainable housing for 2 million people
9. generate sales of €3 billion a year in new sustainable solutions, products and services.

Lafarge say these ambitions are the result of an extensive collaborative approach during which, over a period of 18 months, the company has involved employees and managers of operating units, its panel of stakeholders, major partners such as WWF and CARE and Lafarge’s International Advisory Board, asking them both what they expected of the company and what contribution Lafarge could make to society.

Lafarge’s chairman and chief executive officer, Bruno Lafont, said: ‘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%.

‘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.’