“Biodiversity: Which Challenges for Industry?” CEMEX case Armando J. Garcia September 22-23, 2005 Island of Porquerolles, France Contents CEMEX Today The Cement Industry CEMEX and Sustainable Development Biodiversity importance CEMEX Biodiversity Case Summary / Opportunities CEMEX Today CEMEX is one of the world’s largest building material companies, with global presence in cement and aggregates and a leading position in ready mix concrete. CEMEXBackground Background CEMEX • Annual sales of $16 billion US • Operations in more than 50 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia • World’s leading supplier of ready-mix concrete and one of the largest producers of aggregates • One of the world’s top traders of cement and clinker • More than 50,000 employees worldwide The Cement Industry In Regard to the Environment • Concrete is the second most used substance in the world besides water. • Approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of cement is produced annually. • The Cement Industry is one of the most capital intensive industries. • The Cement Industry produces 5% of the global man-made CO2. Cement Industry Some Environmental Impacts • Dust emissions from quarrying, cement production, and transport. • Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases (NOx, SOx). • Use of Natural Resources, such as: – Quarrying of limestone, clay and other raw materials. – Use of fossil fuels. • Impacts on biodiversity and landscape aesthetics. From: WBCSD/CSI CEMEX and Sustainable Development Sustainable Development Strategy • Employ cutting-edge technology in our operating processes to assure energy-efficiency and the optimized use of raw materials. • Use the most effective equipment and systems to protect our neighbors and the environment. • Promote a culture of Environmental, Health & Safety awareness both within our company and the communities we operate in. CEMEX and Sustainable Development The Cement Sustainability Initiative Joint projects : – Guidelines – Best practices – Reporting and monitoring systems Six key areas: Individual company actions: – Implement guidelines – Integrate SD practices – Publish data • Climate protection and CO2 management • Responsible use of fuels and materials • Employee Health and Safety • Emissions reduction • Local impacts on land and communities • Reporting and communications From: WBCSD/CSI CSI Sustainable Cement Industry Vision 2020 Cement companies have integrated sound principles and practices of Sustainable Development into their global operations as: • Innovators in Industrial Ecology and carbon dioxide management. • Attractive employers. • Building relationships of trust with the communities and societies in which they operate. From: WBCSD/CSI Global Biodiversity Importance • 1992: UN Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro) • Urgency to manage more Sustainably Natural Resources • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • 2002: World Summit (Johanesburg) • Identified biodiversity as one of the five priority issues • Set a global target of achieving a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. • 1987 CEMEX in Mexico – Green areas, native plants and wildlife. Business and Biodiversity “There is a business case for integrating biodiversity into core management systems: to manage risks, capitalise on opportunities and meet corporate social responsibilities.” Biodiversity in CEMEX CEMEX recognizes the importance of conservation and management of biodiversity as a business and a social responsibility issue. We are all part of ecosystems and ecosystems provide us with important environmental services. Conservation and management of biodiversity issues are important and should be part of our considerations in our decision making process. At CEMEX we have a three way approach: • Be a responsible steward of the land we manage. • The mitigation of biodiversity risks in our operations. • Proactive leadership and teamwork with partnerships that enable CEMEX to make a positive contribution to the global conservation of biodiversity. CEMEX Biodiversity Case Elements • License to operate and grow – Access to land. • Full commitment to Cement Sustainability Initiative – Task forces, Best practices, Public commitments. • Corporate Social Responsibility – Collaboration with NGO’s, Governments, Universities, Local communities and all stakeholders. CEMEX Biodiversity Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects • El Yaqui Wildlife Restoration Mexico • Florida Wetland Research Center United States • Alicante Agricultural Area Spain • Attenborough Nature Reserve United Kingdom • CEMEX Angling – Lakes & Rivers United Kingdom • Martot Reforestation France CEMEX Biodiversity Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects El Yaqui Wildlife Restoration • Cement plant quarry site. • The Desert Big Horn Sheep was at the verge of extintion in Northern Mexico. • Quarry land offered a suitable habitat for sheep reproduction. • Partnerships with NGO, Indigenous community, the National Environmental Agency and Universities. • Origin of our National Desert Big Horn Sheep Restorastion Program. Mexico CEMEX Biodiversity Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects Florida Wetland Research Center • Operating Quarry near the Everglades. • First center in the world to focus specifically on wetlands restoration. • Quarry land was donated to an International University. • Living laboratory for scientists to study techniques to restore wetlands. • Helping to protect the US’s largest wetland system, home to 68 endemic and threatened species. United States CEMEX Biodiversity Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects On Site Biodiversity Projects Alicante Agricultural Area Spain • Fruit production was choosen as a the preferred land use. • 120 hectares of peaches, nectarines and plum trees. • Microclimate, early harvest. • Employment to local communities • Competitive prices for produce export. CEMEX Biodiversity Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects Attenborough Nature Reserve • Aggregate Quarries. • Restoration into lakes and habitat that encourages waterfowl and other wildlife. • Leisure: walking, boating, angling. • Management in conjunction with the Nottingham Wildlife Trust. • The Trust has active participation with conservation programs and volunteer staff. United Kingdom CEMEX Biodiversity CEMEX Biodiversity Cases Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects CEMEX Angling – Lakes & Rivers • Began in 1967 – at completed sand and gravel pits. • Lakes with natural surroundings. • Fish, birdlife and other biodiversity. • Contributes to UK demand for angling sites. • CEMEX owns 64 lakes and 14 rivers. United Kingdom CEMEX Biodiversity CEMEX CEMEX Biodiversity Biodiversity Cases Cases Cases On Site Biodiversity Projects On Site Biodiversity Projects Martot Reforestation France • Completed quarries used to increase size of original forest area • Quality reforestation for future needs. Proactive Partnerships for protecting Biodiversity • Sierra Madre – Conservation Books Program. – El Carmen Conservation Initiative. • Conservation International – Support to Conservation Strategies - Megadiversity, Hotspots, Wilderness. – Marine Conservation Center – To protect the Gulf of California, a highly biodiverse ocean ecosystem. • Birdlife International – Memorandum of Understanging to achieve significant biodiversity gains at local, national and international levels. – Cross training and sharing of best practices to broaden business, managerial and environmental perspectives for both organizations. Proactive Partnerships for protecting Biodiversity Main Benefits • Access to valuable information and knowledge. • Dialogue with people from different cultures and backgrounds. • Broadened the company's understanding of biodiversity issues. • Enhance the reputation and credibility of our company. • Building trust and respect with government authorities, communities and other stakeholders. CEMEX Biodiversity Cases Off Site Projects • CEMEX Conservation Books Worldwide • Santa Maria Habitat Restoration Model Mexico • Desert Big Horn Sheep Restoration Program Mexico • El Carmen Conservation Initiative Mexico - US CEMEX Conservation Book Program Off Site Projects CEMEX Conservation Books • NGO Partnerships: Sierra Madre, CI, IUCN, WWF, others. • Starting in 1993, we have published a series of 13 conservation books. • Todate more than 200,000 books published. • Several books present a strategy for global Biodiversity conservation • Promotes environmental culture around the world. Worldwide Santa Maria A Working Model Off Site Projects The main objective is to demonstrate how domestic livestock and native wildlife can achieve a sustainable ecological balance, and provide a diversified economy for ranchers in the region. Santa Maria Habitat Restoration Program Off Site Projects The need for a habitat restoration program that could be applied in the northeastern Mexico region motivated CEMEX to initiate the Santa Maria Habitat Restoration Program in 1995. Depleted land Restored land Santa Maria Habitat Restoration Program Off Site Projects • The success of Santa Maria Restoration Program has grown into a national initiative. • Now, CEMEX, SEMARNAT, PRONATURA and UNEP are joining together to estlabish an international Habitat Restoration Training Center. Desert Big Horn Sheep Restoration Program Off Site Projects Objectives • Recover the Desert Bighorn Sheep populations within their former natural range in northern Mexico. • Prepare a sound conservation plan for the reintroduction of the sheep. • Partnerships with governments, conservation organizations and wildlife agencies to restore the species. El Carmen Conservation Initiative Off Site Projects • We are being the catalyst to protect this international ecological mega corridor. • One of the largest and most biodiverse, protected areas in North America. • A Hotspot and a Wilderness. • Partners: Agrupacion Sierra Madre, Governments and Ranchers. El Carmen Conservation Initiative Off Site Projects CEMEX has both acquired land and entered into conservation agreements with neighboring landowners for a total area of 95,000 hectares. El Carmen Conservation Initiative Off Site Projects El Carmen contributes directly to the practice of SD and protection of Biodiversity • Baseline Inventory • Developing a long term management plan • Habitat restoration • Wildlife restoration • Scientific research • Conservation Partnerships El Carmen Conservation Initiative Off Site Projects Ranching, mining and logging industries heavily exploited the area until the first half of the 20th century. Now CEMEX is taking restoration actions to facilitate recovery of areas impacted by human activities in the past. El Carmen Conservation Initiative Off Site Projects One of the most biodiverse ecosytems in North America Now being protected Summary / Opportunities There is a global target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and everyone must join this agenda. • Our experience in Biodiversity is: – CEMEX has earned prestige and respect from important conservaion NGO’s and governments, for what we are doing. – Biodiversity issues attract more the eye of stakeholders vs. gray issues. – Our conservation books are being used by experts in the field as reference material. – Good relationships with neigboring communities. – A key element of our Social Responsibility Philosophy. • Making strategic alliances with key stakeholders to find innovative actions for supporting social concerns, is a business responsibility. www.cemex.com