New strategy to enrich nature

CEMEX UK and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have announced the launch of a biodiversity strategy for CEMEX’s operations in the UK to help enrich nature.

With the support of the RSPB, CEMEX have committed to challenging targets covering their operations in the UK, including the creation and maintenance of 1,000ha of priority habitats by 2020. This is the equivalent to approximately 100ha per annum and represents a major investment in protecting and promoting nature and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.

In addition to firm goals around the creation and management of priority biodiversity habitats, the strategy which is being presented to key CEMEX stakeholders at regional events across the country in the coming weeks, provides detailed targets within the following key areas:

• Establishing biodiversity flagship sites.
• Empowering employees to take biodiversity action.
• Working in partnership for biodiversity.
• Championing biodiversity to promote its benefits and importance.

Wildlife expert and vice-president for the RSPB, Chris Packham, said: ‘By committing to this comprehensive strategy, CEMEX will, with their employees, neighbours and conservation organizations, create habitats and enrich our environment. If everyone gets stuck in and just does one thing for nature, then together we can make a big difference.’

In 2007 CEMEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BirdLife International to promote biodiversity at an international level. By partnering with the RSPB, which is BirdLife’s partner in the UK, CEMEX UK aim to complement the international partnership and drive biodiversity locally.

CEMEX UK president Gonzalo Galindo said: ‘Our vision is for a successful, sustainable CEMEX that makes a positive contribution to people and the environment. This is why, during the International Year of Biodiversity, when we are all encouraged to take direct action, we are setting our biodiversity strategy with challenging targets.’

The strategy is part of a partnership which includes the appointment of an RSPB advisor dedicated to providing biodiversity-focused restoration advice for CEMEX’s 80-plus UK quarries, as well as increasing awareness of biodiversity awareness among the company’s 3,500 employees.