As we enter a new decade, now is the most crucial time to combat the risks of climate change and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and UN SDG 13: Climate Action. As the leading building materials business in the world, we recognise our responsibility to act.
By investing in people, innovation and partnerships with our stakeholders, we can reduce our carbon emissions and help develop the technologies and initiatives needed across our industry to reduce climate impacts and protect biodiversity across our locations.
$ million invested in environmental initiatives
million tonnes of by-products diverted from waste streams
% of our 2020 air emissions reduction targets achieved
We are proud to showcase our biodiversity ambition for 2030 and some environmental achievements from across our global operations. We work hard to enhance the natural habitats across our operations and we collaborate with international, national and local organisations to promote a culture of appreciation and respect for biodiversity.
As part of our 2030 sustainability ambitions, we have set a target for 100% of our biodiversity-sensitive locations to have a management plan in...
As part of our 2030 sustainability ambitions, we have set a target for 100% of our biodiversity-sensitive locations to have a management plan in place, in line with best international practice. Biodiversity is a key consideration for our extractive operations and for site restoration planning. We aim to minimise potential impacts and to restore and rehabilitate disturbed ecosystems, while also creating and enhancing new habitats for rare species.
As a founding member of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), we are playing our part in advancing the overall biodiversity and quarry...
As a founding member of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), we are playing our part in advancing the overall biodiversity and quarry rehabilitation performance in the aggregates industry.
CRH company Dufferin Aggregates’ Milton quarry in Canada is a UNESCO designated World Biosphere area, due to successful efforts to restore and...
CRH company Dufferin Aggregates’ Milton quarry in Canada is a UNESCO designated World Biosphere area, due to successful efforts to restore and sustain suitable habitats for wildlife onsite. Its wetlands, meadows, lakes and forests are home to 134 species of bird, 40 species of butterfly and six species of amphibian.
Jura Cement, A CRH Company, received a special recognition at the European Aggregates Association (UEPG) awards in 2019 for the development of a...
Jura Cement, A CRH Company, received a special recognition at the European Aggregates Association (UEPG) awards in 2019 for the development of a regional wildlife corridor at its Cornaux quarry in Switzerland. The corridor consists of multiple ponds, rock features and bird boxes to support the populations of amphibians, birds and insects in the area.
Opterra, A CRH Company in Germany, supplied concrete for the Southern Bavaria Bundesstraße motorway project’s green bridge structure. Completed in...
Opterra, A CRH Company in Germany, supplied concrete for the Southern Bavaria Bundesstraße motorway project’s green bridge structure. Completed in 2019, the green bridge enables wild animals to cross the busy motorway. By providing a safe crossing point for birds, mammals and insects, green bridges such as this one help to connect habitats, maintaining healthy ecosystems and reducing the ecological impact of new roads.
As a large-scale landholder, with operations in 29 countries, preserving the land and protecting biodiversity are fully integrated into the way we operate. As we focus on our ambition to achieve carbon neutrality along the cement and concrete value chain by 2050, we are taking action by transitioning to low-carbon energy technologies, reducing the carbon footprint of our products and innovating for carbon efficiency.
OPTERRA Karsdorf, part of our Europe Materials Division, has achieved gold certification from the Concrete Sustainability Council for sustainable...
OPTERRA Karsdorf, part of our Europe Materials Division, has achieved gold certification from the Concrete Sustainability Council for sustainable management practices. The plant is now one of eight cement plants in the world to hold the certification and demonstrates the leadership and ability of CRH in championing sustainability.
In 2020, Ecorec, part of our Europe Materials Division, opened a new, solid recovered fuel (SRF) production line at its Pezinok plant in Slovakia....
In 2020, Ecorec, part of our Europe Materials Division, opened a new, solid recovered fuel (SRF) production line at its Pezinok plant in Slovakia. The SRF production line processes industrial and municipal waste, converting it to an alternative fuel that can be used in cement production, increasing Ecorec’s alternative fuel production capacity by 50%.
We continue to pursue reliable future energy resources by partnering with organisations to install renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind....
We continue to pursue reliable future energy resources by partnering with organisations to install renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. For example, Structural Concrete Belgium, part of our Building Products Division, has partnered with a local utilities supplier to install wind turbines at their plant in Genk.
Through our Americas Materials Division, we have worked with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) since 2004. This non-profit group combines...
Through our Americas Materials Division, we have worked with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) since 2004. This non-profit group combines conservation and business to develop sites as wildlife habitats. We currently have 18 WHC-certified locations where wildlife such as the black swallow tail are settling and thriving.
Finnsementti, part of our Europe Materials Division in Finland, recently received the 'Environmental Act of the Year' award from the city of Parainen...
Finnsementti, part of our Europe Materials Division in Finland, recently received the 'Environmental Act of the Year' award from the city of Parainen for the environmental investments that have taken place at its Parainen plant. In 2020, Finnsementti installed a new baghouse filter at the Parainen plant which has significantly reduced the amount of dust emitted.
