Cement and concrete industry targets improved biodiversity performance

GCCA launches new sustainability guidelines and joins leading global business nature coalition

(London – 6 May 2020) – The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has today published new guidelines aimed at further improving the biodiversity performance of the industry’s quarries. The guidelines support the Association’s Sustainability Charter implementation and represent a collaborative effort by GCCA member companies to improve overall performance in biodiversity management and the rehabilitation of quarries. Member companies will use the guidelines to implement agreed good practices as well as a framework for reporting progress against Key Performance Indictors (KPIs).

Minimising the impact of extraction activity is an important priority for the cement and concrete industry globally. Creating new habitats through rehabilitation and mitigation is already established practice in many countries, and the GCCA’s new guidelines will help to support the wider adoption of these practices across the sector.

These new guidelines are an important example of the ongoing collaborative work being undertaken by GCCA members to bring about improvements in performance across our industry. Biodiversity is just one area where collaboration and the sharing of good practice can bring about very positive outcomes for stakeholders including the local communities where our members operate.”  

Benjamin Sporton, GCCA Chief Executive

Among the priority areas covered by the new guidelines are the inclusion of social, economic and environmental considerations for the future use of the sites once extraction activity ceases as well as relevant legislative requirements. The Guidelines also advocate for the application of progressive rehabilitation where possible as good practice during the lifetime of a quarry. Stakeholder involvement and consultation is also recommended at all stages, as is the practice of ensuring rehabilitation and biodiversity plans are in place before the commencement of extraction activities at new sites.

In addition to the new guidelines, the GCCA has also announced today that it has joined ‘Business for Nature’, a global coalition bringing together influential organisations and forward-thinking businesses with the aim of demonstrating action to reverse nature loss.

We are delighted to be able to welcome GCCA to Business for Nature. Now more than ever, the business community has its part to play and is uniting behind and calling on governments to protect ecosystems. We are looking forward to working with GCCA to further incorporate nature into the heart of mainstream business, finance and government decision-making.”

Eva Zabey, Executive Director of Business for Nature

Eva Zabey, Executive Director of Business for Nature said, “We are delighted to be able to welcome GCCA to Business for Nature. Now more than ever, the business community has its part to play and is uniting behind and calling on governments to protect ecosystems. We are looking forward to working with GCCA to further incorporate nature into the heart of mainstream business, finance and government decision-making.”

“We are excited to be joining Business for Nature and are looking forward to working with them and their partner organisations across the business community. We believe our sector has a strong and positive story to tell and we very much share the objectives on the prevention of nature loss and the vital role of protecting and enhancing biodiversity.”

Benjamin Sporton, GCCA Chief Executive

The United Nations has declared 2020 as a super year for nature and biodiversity “to help achieve human well-being, tackle climate change and protect our living planet.” The GCCA Sustainability Guidelines for Quarry Rehabilitation and Biodiversity Management can be found here.

About Business for Nature:

Business for Nature is a global coalition bringing together influential organisations and forward-thinking businesses. Together, we demonstrate business action and amplify a powerful business voice calling for governments to reverse nature loss.

The community is inclusive and composed of:

• A diverse and powerful group of organizations and networks working with businesses to reverse the loss of nature;
• Forward-thinking businesses that have relevant commitments and that are acting to reduce their environmental impacts.