Vision
Sustainable development, social progress, environmental protection: these concerns have been at the heart of Lafarge's stragegy since its inception, over 170 years ago.
Lafarge Group’s Sustainability Ambitions 2012 |
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Sustainable development is not a new priority for the Lafarge Group. It is an integral part of its vision and day-to-day activities. The Sustainability Ambitions 2012 roadmap reaffirms the Group's three main commitments and highlights new challenges with regard to:
The ambitions were introduced for all divisions to ensure there are tangible objectives and targets in place. All UK divisions are focused on making their own contributions to ensure that the Group can achieve its ambitions in sustainable development.
Contributing at a local level
Lafarge makes a large contribution to the communities local to many of its UK operations. The products it manufactures are made close to where they will be used, ensuring they are adapted to the requirements of local customers and markets and reducing long-haul trasnportation of heavy goods. Its operations provide skilled jobs and contributions to the local economy through rates, use of local sub-contractors and community partnerships.
Preserving the environment
Quarry restoration started for Lafarge's UK operations back in the 1930s. This commitment has developed over the years to encompass a broad range of initiatives to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment, preserve natural resources and reduce CO2 emissions. Examples include the recycling of industrial waste, the use of waste-derived fuels and materials, and improvements to industrial processes. This helps Lafarge's UK operations to build sustainable growth by placing environmental commitments at the heart of day-to-day activities. |
Sustainable developmentThe 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:
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Moving towards more sustainable development |
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Lafarge remains committed to balancing sustained economic growth with social progress and environmental protection. As part of its approach to maintaining operations throughout the world, Lafarge continues to take into account the local, regional and national economic, social and environmental challenges. To ensure this commitment remains core to the approach of everyone within Lafarge, the values of respect, care and rigour are part of the Group's Principles of Action, which were introduced in 1977, far before sustainable development emerged as a concept.
Since 2005, Lafarge has ranked among the 100 best-performing multinationals in terms of sustainable development according to the ‘Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’ study organised by Corporate Knights Inc. |
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