EDINBURGH: In the company of Scottish Minister for the Environment Roseanna Cunningham MSP, building materials company CEMEX UK and the RSPB at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh launched a biodiversity strategy for CEMEX’s operations in the UK 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.
In addition to firm goals around the creation and management of priority biodiversity habitats, the strategy which is being presented to key CEMEX stakeholders at regional events across the country in the coming weeks, provides 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
As the primary provider of sand and gravel in Scotland, CEMEX operates quarries such as Cambusmore within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where the restored site is becoming a haven for bird life. Elsewhere, at Cowieslinn Quarry in the Scottish Borders where CEMEX produce hard rock aggregates, the company is funding peatland habitat improvements within the catchment of the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
In 2007 CEMEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BirdlLife International to promote biodiversity at an international level. By partnering with the RSPB, which is BirdLife’s partner in the UK, CEMEX UK aims to complement the international partnership and drive biodiversity locally.
