Wienerberger publish new sustainability strategy

‘Let’s Build Beyond’ strategy provides framework for progress within and beyond the company

WIENERBERGER Ltd have published their new sustainability strategy ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, a rallying call to the company’s people, partners, and communities to collaborate and drive an equitable transition to a net-zero emission, nature-positive built environment.

Understanding that transformative change is required in the sector and its supply chain to tackle the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity, Wienerberger Ltd say their new ‘Let’s Build Beyond’ sustainability strategy provides a framework for progress both within and beyond the company.

The new strategy sets out the company’s ambitions for 2030 and has three guiding principles:

• Safeguarding the planet: tackling the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity head on
• Innovating for the future we want: developing new products and services that reduce the company’s impact on the planet
• Moving forward together: transitioning to a net-zero, nature-positive, equitable society together.

The strategy highlights the role of innovation, where improved manufacturing processes, circular initiatives, and new products and services will be necessary to reduce the impact of the built environment and minimize the impact of Wienerberger’s own operations.

Specifically, the company will invest in emerging technologies that facilitate the transition to low-carbon manufacturing and hopes to achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1 & 2) at a concrete roof tile factory by 2025 and establish a net-zero emission (Scope 1 & 2) ceramic production line before 2030, with net-zero emissions for the company targeted by 2050.

Commenting on the strategy, Keith Barker, regional managing director UK & Ireland, said: ‘‘Let’s Build Beyond’ is Wienerberger’s response to the crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. Every company has a role to play in tackling these issues, and our new sustainability strategy is an invitation to our people, partners and communities to collaborate and drive the transition to a net-zero emission, nature-positive built environment.’

Stephanie Palmer, head of sustainability at Wienerberger, added: ‘‘Let’s Build Beyond’ is our blueprint for building back better after the pandemic. Wienerberger have a genuine opportunity to drive change in the built environment and urgent action is required if we are to avoid 1.5°C of global warming.

‘I am proud that Wienerberger Ltd’s leadership team has increased the company’s ambition for ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, which includes immediate actions to respond to climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. We welcome collaborations to deliver a truly sustainable built environment.’

The new strategy builds on energy efficiency improvements and carbon emission reductions the company has made since 2010. During this period, Wienerberger Building Solutions (the European business unit under which Wienerberger Ltd’s performance is reported) reduced its energy consumption per tonne of product manufactured by 13% and Wienerberger Ltd moved to a deep green renewable electricity tariff to further reduce their carbon emissions.