How we reach our commitments

Progressive transformative rehabilitation

Rehabilitation processes

^{*Measured using the Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System (BIRS), developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)}

Our approach, to enhance biodiversity in quarries, is to work with nature in a transformative, rather than traditional way. We capitalize on natural processes, endemic species and local adaptation to take into account the wider landscape and conservation context. Some key actions include buffer zone optimization and creation of habitats not previously found on the site, like green corridors for wildlife connectivity and wetlands.

Our sites are rehabilitated in a progressive way. Areas where extractive work is finished are rehabilitated while extraction continues in other areas of the quarry.

Measuring positive biodiversity impact

We apply the mitigation hierarchy to prioritize and guide actions to enhance our positive biodiversity impact.

Mitigation hierarchy

We worked in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to develop a methodology to measure our biodiversity level. This tool is called Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS). With BIRS we will define our biodiversity level baseline and measure biodiversity improvement over the years on our sites and managed land. BIRS assessment will allow us to better understand the challenges and opportunities we have at each site for enhancing biodiversity and improving ecosystem quality. We will identify key actions, develop action plans and implement them to increase our biodiversity index.

Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System (BIRS)*

*Developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

We worked in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to develop a methodology to measure our biodiversity level. This tool is called Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS). With BIRS we will define our biodiversity level baseline and measure biodiversity improvement over the years in our sites and managed land. BIRS assessment will allow us to better understand the challenges and opportunities we have at each site for enhancing biodiversity and improving ecosystem quality. We will identify key actions, develop action plans and implement them to increase our biodiversity index.

A pioneer in impact valuation

As a founding member of the Value Balancing Alliance, we developed a global Impact Measurement and Valuation standard for assessing and disclosing economic, social and environmental impacts.

Landscape approach

Our quarries and sites are an integral part of wider landscapes, which play an essential role in providing ecosystem services to people, including indigenous communities and vulnerable groups, as well as being the habitat of wildlife and flora. The landscapes cover important habitat types, from forests to grassland, from deserts to aquatic / ocean shore habitats. We aim to become a leading voice in landscape protection beyond our own sites, participating in or leading multi-stakeholder collaboration with all relevant stakeholders - from industrial sites to our suppliers (which usually are located in the same landscape) to agricultural producers and local communities. Creating and executing on a common vision for biodiversity protection across our landscapes will include important local elements such as wildlife corridors, protection from natural hazards such as fire or floods, and it will be complemented by our approach to water stewardship and commitment to human rights and positive social impact. This will enable a holistic and inclusive view, resulting in a more sustainable landscape for all.

Promoting good practices throughout the value chain

We require all Holcim suppliers who are deemed to have a significant environmental impact to implement a recognized system for identifying and managing those impacts. For our extractive raw material suppliers, we developed a comprehensive biodiversity training module.