Launch of Quarry Life Award - fifth edition

HeidelbergCement’s fifth worldwide biodiversity competition opens for project proposals

TODAY, HeidelbergCement launched the fifth edition of the Quarry Life Award, their nature-based competition involving more than 20 countries worldwide. Researchers, students, local communities, NGOs and nature lovers from around the world can pitch their ideas for sustainable quarry management, with prizes up to €30,000 for the most innovative projects.

The Quarry Life Award supports HeidelbergCement and their partners, such as BirdLife International, in raising awareness of biodiversity in general and of extraction sites as habitats for many species.

‘The time for action is now: The World Economic Forum 2021 Global Risk Report has put biodiversity loss among the five most concerning global risks, both in terms of likelihood and impact,’ said Dr Dominik von Achten, chairman of the managing board of HeidelbergCement.

‘With the competition, HeidelbergCement want to contribute to the global restoration agenda and work towards a net positive in biodiversity. Our sites can provide valuable habitats for a variety of animal and plant species during and after extraction.’

Promoting biodiversity is a priority within HeidelbergCement’s sustainability strategy. Based on the award, the company develops best practices and innovative ideas for quarry management which are then applied on a global scale.

Over the last four editions, nearly 1,000 researchers investigated in more than 100 quarries how to protect nature and promote a high diversity of local flora and fauna. Some projects resulted in improved quarry management, whilst others supported local communities.

For example, projects in Ghana created practical solutions to stabilize quarry slopes that allow successful revegetation, while projects across central Europe engaged the community to increase their understanding and appreciation of nature, in particular the crucial role of pollinators.

‘We are committed to maintain our leadership position in nature conservation. Our exceptional collaboration with diverse stakeholders through the Quarry Life Award plays a large part in this,’ said Dr von Achten. ‘The Quarry Life Award not only stimulates the exchange between academia and industry, but it also strengthens our relationships with local communities.’

To participate in the new edition of the competition, students, researchers, NGOs and local communities can submit a project proposal in the ‘Research’ or ‘Community’ streams. A maximum of six project ideas per country will be selected by the national juries to participate in the competition. The juries are composed of experts from local universities and NGOs as well as HeidelbergCement specialists.

From January to September 2022, HeidelbergCement will open their quarries for the realization of the selected projects, with the countries Bulgaria and Israel joining for the first time. At the end of 2022, the winners will be awarded at national and international level.