Enhancing the Environment for Future Generations

CRH's ambition is to see biodiversity thrive globally and across the landscapes in which we operate. As custodians of the land where we are located and as a responsible neighbor, CRH aims to improve nature through the restoration of ecosystems and improving species populations. By engaging in partnerships and evolving opportunities across our locations and value chain, we will contribute to the global goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

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% locations in sensitive areas with biodiversity management plans in place in 2024

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million trees planted in the last five years

Action Spotlights

Examples of how our business is reducing its environmental footprint and protecting biodiversity.

Monitoring and Protecting Local Species

Rudus, in CRH’s International Division, has been working to provide a favorable habitat for a range of animals, including the legally protected moor...

Monitoring and Protecting Local Species

Rudus, in CRH’s International Division, has been working to provide a favorable habitat for a range of animals, including the legally protected moor frog. Rudus first became aware of this frog at their Kråkö site in 2007, following an environmental impact assessment of an area prior to re-starting gravel extraction. Once the discovery was made, extraction plans were suspended and Rudus began to study the distribution of the moor frog in the area.

Collaborating for Impact

We continued to work closely with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC, now Tandem Global) through 2024 and have c. 1,320 hectares of land recognized...

Collaborating for Impact

We continued to work closely with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC, now Tandem Global) through 2024 and have c. 1,320 hectares of land recognized under their Conservation Certification® scheme across 18 programs. Dufferin, in CRH’s Americas Division, has been collaborating with the WHC for nine years and in 2024 was awarded the WHC Reptiles and Amphibians Project Award, recognizing its work creating wetlands that attracted breeding Jefferson salamanders at one of its WHC Certified sites.

Habitat Restoration at Sandy Heath Quarry

Tarmac, in CRH’s International Division, has been progressively restoring a site called Sandy Heath, in Bedfordshire. To date, 30 hectares of...

Habitat Restoration at Sandy Heath Quarry

Tarmac, in CRH’s International Division, has been progressively restoring a site called Sandy Heath, in Bedfordshire. To date, 30 hectares of heathland and wildflower grassland habitats have been restored, and more planned for restoration. This progressive restoration has been done working in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the resulting habitats are more diverse, providing homes to a high number of species of invertebrates, lichens and mosses.

Building and Maintaining Trust

Danucem, in CRH’s International Division, carries out ongoing monitoring of groundwater near one of their quarries, Mníchova Lehota, an important...

Building and Maintaining Trust

Danucem, in CRH’s International Division, carries out ongoing monitoring of groundwater near one of their quarries, Mníchova Lehota, an important source of water for nearby villages and a local bottled water supplier. Multiple water indicators are monitored on a monthly basis, with findings reported to local authorities. By capturing and sharing this data, Danucem can show it is not impacting the quality or quantity of water resources and continues to build trust with our local communities.


Our Targets and Progress



2030 Target: 100% of active locations in or near areas of high biodiversity value to have a biodiversity management plan by 2030

2030 Target: 100% of extractive sites to have reclamation plans by 2030

Ongoing Target: Particulates, NOx and SOx air emissions reductions at cement plants

We aim to manage biodiversity risks and maximise opportunities by conserving the often-notable species utilising the unique habitats at our sites. We strive to positively impact biodiversity across active areas and non-operational land at our quarries, as well as around our other manufacturing sites and offices. Biodiversity management plans are an important tool in managing our biodiversity-related risk and helping to identify areas where we can incorporate specific habitat or species-related actions across the life-cycle of a location. The implementation of our reclamation plans at our extractive sites also helps us to mitigate impacts and can provide environmental, social and economic benefits to our local stakeholders.

We take action to manage our environmental performance, including by aiming to meet strict air emissions limits, through active monitoring and control by measures like abatement equipment.

Our 2024 Performance

  • 428 of extractive sites are within or adjacent to locations in sensitive areas for biodiversity, 95% of which have BMPs in place (2023: 93%).
  • 93% of extractive sites have reclamation plans in place in 2024.
  • Particulates, NOX and SOX, levels remained at low levels. For 2024, overall air emissions were broadly in line with the previous reporting year.
New 2030 Target: 100% of extractive sites located in or near areas of high biodiversity value to have a net impact methodology applied by 2030

New 2030 Target: Over 1000 locations taking action to promote pollinators by 2030

We have created two new targets that will be rolled out in 2025. Our new net impact methodology target further enables our continued assessment of priority extractive sites using an externally recognized net impact methodology to help us develop a deeper understanding of our footprint and impact on the natural environment. We also set another target in recognition of the role our locations can have in creating value for many insect species, which are performing important pollination services in our local landscapes.

Find out more about what we are doing for the Natural World.

2024 Sustainability Performance Report

Collaborating for Biodiversity

Biodiversity loss will not be reversed without collaboration, and that is well recognized and practiced at CRH. Across the countries in which we operate, we are drawing on the knowledge of external experts, including those from academia and non-governmental organizations. These partnerships are enabling us to innovate to drive best practices and support global nature targets.

Tandem Global
We have been collaborating with Tandem Global (formerly Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)) since 2004. This non-profit group combines conservation and business to develop sites as wildlife habitats. These may be large, depleted quarries or small buffer zones between an operating plant and a highway.

Through our continuous engagement with the WHC, we now have c. 1,320 hectares of land recognized under their Conservation Certification® scheme, across 18 projects.


Society for Ecological Restoration

As part of our sustainability targets, CRH commits to 100% of our extractive sites having reclamation/restoration plans. Across the countries we are operating in, we are creating and restoring natural habitats for the benefit of wildlife and people.

Therefore, we are very excited to become a business member of the Society for Ecological Restoration in order to share our experiences and continue to learn and collaborate with experts in the field of ecological restoration.