Holcim advocates embedding sustainability in COVID recovery programs

Holcim Philippines, Inc. reiterated its commitment to improving environmental and social performance as it supported calls for COVID-19 recovery programs to be aligned with efforts to address larger sustainability challenges.

Holcim Philippines President and CEO John Stull: “We are determined to help where we can to ensure that new ways of doing business supports the overall efforts to preserve gains in improving the quality of life for people all over the world and build resilience against similar global challenges.”

On 20 May, over 150 global corporations released a joint statement urging governments all over the world to align socio-economic recovery programs for COVID-19 with actions that build resilience against future shocks caused by climate change. Global building solutions leader LafargeHolcim Group is among the signatories to the statement.

LafargeHolcim CEO Jan Jenisch: “At LafargeHolcim, we are going back to business firmly committed to building a healthier world together. More than ever, we want to demonstrate leadership by connecting the dots between this unprecedented health crisis and the need for a sustainable recovery.”

The Group noted that 50% of research resources are focused on low-carbon products, with 40% of patents currently in this area. Over 40 million tons of wastes were processed as Alternative Fuel and Alternative Raw Material while a third of sales were in sustainable solutions such as carbon-neutral concrete in 2019.

LafargeHolcim’s gains in these areas were recently recognized by Sustainalytics, a global leader in environmental, social and governance risks (ESG) and corporate governance research and ratings. Sustainalytics rated LafargeHolcim as first among 101 construction materials companies and in the top 20% of all 12,000 companies assessed across all sectors.

As a member of LafargeHolcim, Holcim Philippines is committed to supporting the achievement of targets aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals. The company has made good progress in lessening the environmental footprint of operations and offerings as well as uplifting its communities.

As of 2019, Holcim Philippines has progressed in its 2030 targets of reducing carbon emissions by 40% vs. 1990 levels and freshwater withdrawal per ton of cement by 30% vs. 2015. Among the drivers of its lower emissions are its introduction of more blended cement options and use of low-carbon fuels.

Last year, Solido, a blended cement designed as a better alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement for roads and light infrastructures, sales became a significant portion of Holcim’s product mix in 2019 with its lower environmental footprint among its main selling points.

Holcim also used more than 170,000 tons of alternative fuel and alternative raw material processed from biomass and waste materials from industries. This helped the company avoid coal in cement production for 38 days leading while helping its partners manage their wastes in an eco-friendly manner.

Furthermore, corporate citizenship programs under Holcim Helps benefitted 229,170 individuals last year. With this, the company has helped more than 800,000 people since 2015, surpassing its commitment to the LafargeHolcim Group of assisting 400,000 people by 2020.