Enhancing the Environment for Future Generations
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.
% locations in sensitive areas with biodiversity management plans in place in 2024
million trees planted in the last five years
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
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.
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.
