Ecosystems
We will work with partners on regenerating biodiverse ecosystems in our value chain and on aiding water stewardship.
As we transition to net zero, we are also focused on protecting and regenerating nature and biodiversity and conserving water.
The biodiversity impact of our sites is relatively limited. Their physical footprint is small, as are our emissions to air and water. The majority of our biodiversity impacts are in our value chain and are related to mining, both from the raw materials we source, and from the use of the mining and rock processing equipment we supply.
Biodiversity action plan
Our goal is to work with both our suppliers and customers to prevent or mitigate negative impacts to protect and restore biodiversity and ecosystems. Best practice in this area is rapidly evolving. We are starting by undertaking a pre-study to understand impacts from our own operations and strategic suppliers with greater precision. Following this, we will develop a biodiversity action plan in line with the EU’s Biodiversity strategy that aims for no net loss of biodiversity by 2030, net gain from 2030 and full recovery by 2050.
As we develop our approach to measuring and managing our biodiversity impacts, we are considering initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN).
Water-efficient solutions
We are already taking actions which reduce biodiversity impact through our approach to sustainable solutions. This includes enabling more mining to be underground which reduces impacts at ground level and shifting to circular business models, reducing the amount of new raw materials needed. In our screening of strategic suppliers, we evaluate their biodiversity approach to minimize the impacts of the materials we source.
We support the sustainable management of water and water stewardship through our value chain. We recognize it is a shared resource and will engage locally in water stressed areas around our own operations to support effective water management. We will reduce water withdrawal and consumption, implement rainwater capture on our sites and improve water quality through better treatment of water discharge. We also develop water-efficient solutions that reduce our customers’ water use.