EGHAM: Building materials company Cemex UK and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have launched a biodiversity strategy to enrich nature.
With the support of the RSPB, Cemex has committed to challenging targets covering its operations in the UK, including the creation and maintenance of 1000 hectares of priority habitats by 2020. This is the equivalent to approximately 100 hectares a year and represents a major investment in protecting and promoting nature and wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
The strategy is being presented to key Cemex stakeholders at regional events across the country in the coming weeks. It aims to provide detailed targets within the following key areas:
Establishing biodiversity flagship sites.
Empowering employees to take biodiversity action.
Working in partnership for biodiversity.
Champion 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 its employees, neighbours and conservation organisations, 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."
President for Cemex UK, Gonzalo Galindo, explained: "As one of this country's leading building materials companies, we play a key role in creating and maintaining Britain's built environment. But, we recognise that our business has consequences.
"It is a key challenge for us to balance these impacts with the need to build a more sustainable future. Our vision is for a successful, sustainable CEMEX that makes a positive contribution to people and the environment.
"Climate change is posing new challenges and threats to nature. Conserving biodiversity will play a key role in our ability to adapt to these changes.
"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 more than 80 UK quarries, as well as increasing awareness of biodiversity awareness among the company's 3500 employees.
