Sustainability Ambitions

 

Vision

Sustainable Development, Social Progress, and Environment Protection have been at the heart of Lafarge's strategy for over 200 years.

Opening the Way to Sustainable Development

The Group is convinced that sustained economic growth cannot occur without social progress and environmental protection. Only by taking into account the economic, social and environmental challenges can the long-term success of Lafarge's operations be guaranteed.

 

Since 1833, the Group's strategy has been built on 2 main pillars:

  • Sustainable industrial development over the long term,
  • Human principles: the values of respect, care and rigor have been a basic part of the Group's Principles of Action since 1977, before sustainable development had even emerged as a concept.

 

Since 2005, Lafarge has annually ranked among the 100 best-performing multinationals in terms of sustainable development according to the "Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World" study organized by Corporate Knights Inc. 

 

Sustainable Development

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Sustainable Development aims to reconcile 3 major stakes:

  • Economic performance
  • The social consequences of a company's actions (with regard to employees, suppliers, customers and the local community)
  • Environmental aspects (achieving a balance between a company's activities and the preservation of ecosystems)

2012 Ambitions

Sustainable development is not a new priority for the Group, but rather an integral part of its vision and day-to-day activities. The Sustainability Ambitions 2012 Roadmap reaffirms the Group's 3 main commitments and highlights a number of new challenges with regard to:

  • Climate change
  • Health and safety
  • Protection of the environment and biodiversity

Acting Locally in Favor of Social and Economic Progress

Lafarge is both a local actor and a global player. It works locally because it manufactures its products where they are to be used; in order to ensure they are perfectly adapted to the local markets' needs. It also works globally because the success of the Group's long-term development ambitions depends on the mobilization of all of its employees.

The Group has formed international and local partnerships in reconciliation of these 2 approaches. The goal is to share cross-border know-how and expertise, thus contributing daily to the economic and social development of its local communities around the world.

Environmental Preservation

Lafarge started repair work of its quarries in 1930. Since then, the Group has developed a broad range of initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, preserve natural resources and reduce CO2 emissions, e.g. recycling industrial waste, using alternative fuels and materials, improving industrial processes.

The Group builds sustainable growth by placing environmental commitments at the heart of its day-to-day industrial practices.
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