Swiss multinational, Holcim, has announced its strategy to become nature-positive by restoring and preserving biodiversity and water while bringing more nature into cities.
The positive impact on biodiversity will be based on transformative rehabilitation plans and measured by a science-based methodology developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), according to a statement.
Preserving water across its business, the group aims to replenish freshwater in water-risk areas while lowering water intensity across all its product lines. Holcim will also accelerate the deployment of solutions such as Hydromedia and green roof systems for more liveable urban environments. Its nature-positive strategy places it among the one per cent of the 500 largest global companies with science-driven biodiversity targets and the first in its sector with a freshwater replenishment commitment.
Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer, Holcim said: “With nature at the heart of everything we do, I am pleased that we are taking significant steps to improve our biodiversity and water stewardship in a measurable and science-driven way. Building on our net zero commitment, our nature-based solutions play a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change and increasing our business’ resilience. Becoming nature-positive plays a critical role in our vision to build progress for people and the planet.”
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According to Eva Zabey, Executive Director, Business for Nature, implementing Holcim’s nature strategy can drive scalable change both within the building materials sector and industry as a whole. “We congratulate Holcim for its ambitious biodiversity and water goals as part of its nature-positive journey. we need all businesses to rapidly step up their actions and commitments to protect and restore the ecosystems on which we all rely to create healthy and resilient societies,” she said.
On its journey to become nature-positive, Holcim has committed to deliver a measurable positive impact on biodiversity by 2030 based on the Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS) developed in partnership with IUCN, replenish freshwater in water-risk areas by 2030, with its 75% of sites to be water-positive and 100% of sites to be equipped with water recycling systems.
Holcim also plans to lower water intensity by 2030, with 33% reduction from its cement business line, 20% reduction in Aggregates and 15% reduction in Ready-Mix Concrete.
Holcim has committed to continue developing and deploying its nature-based approach across its products and solutions including restoring marine ecosystems and recharging groundwater through its bioactive concrete and Hydromedia permeable concrete solutions respectively.
