Lafarge - WWF Conservation Partner

Summary of the partnership
Lafarge, the world leader in construction materials, is the first industrial group to become a WWF Conservation Partner, with a relationship that began in 2000. Within the terms of this unique partnership, WWF is contributing the expertise Lafarge needs to develop and improve its environmental policies and practices and to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and biodiversity conservation. As critical measures of the steps that Lafarge is taking to achieving these goals, both organisations identified joint commitments and work in the following areas:

• to reinforce the environmental policy of Lafarge, by implementing and monitoring annually performance indicators and targets (environmental audits, reduction of fossil fuel consumption, waste recycling, emissions control, etc).
• to combat the greenhouse effect by curtailing emissions of CO2,
• to develop a strategy for the ecological rehabilitation of quarries,
• to heighten awareness amongst the widest possible audience on the importance of environmental preservation through local partnerships such as in Kenya, Austria, France and China.

Following encouraging progress, significant results and successes, WWF and Lafarge have renewed their partnership for a further three year period, from 2005 to 2007.

Both partners are striving to make the cooperation more dynamic and ambitious. The scope of the partnership has therefore been broadened to tackle new challenges in the fields of climate change, biodiversity, sustainable construction and persistent pollutants. The ambition also includes further development of joint initiatives between WWF local offices and Lafarge Business Units.

Achievements to date:

• 8 performance indicators defined, independently monitored and results published annually (environmental audits of sites, quarry rehabilitation plans, greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy and raw material consumption ,waste generation, dust emissions and recycling).
• 80% of 800 quarry sites have rehabilitation plans (target was 80% by 2004) ensuring biodiversity restoration.
• biodiversity index developed in Mannersdorf quarry in Austria and currently being tested in Sandrancourt quarry in France.
• significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions, far above targets set under the Kyoto Protocol. See below for more details
• The percentage of substitute raw materials used in production of cement is 9,8% in 2004 (target was 10% by 2005) and of 50,5% in the production of gypsum in 2004 (target was 45% by 2005).

Climate change objectives & results*
In November 2001, Lafarge made the important commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions globally by 20% per ton of cement produced over the period 1990 - 2010. The figures for 2004 show an absolute CO2 emissions reduction of 9.5% in industrialized countries which is on track of the original target of a 10% reduction. However this was partly due to a reduction (- 3.5 % compared to 1990) in cement production over the period.

Lafarge also committed to reducing its absolute CO2 emissions by 10% in industrialized countries below 1990 levels by 2010. This figure includes the accounting for burning fossil fuel based wastes such as CO2 emissions and therefore this is the important target for WWF. Results in 2004 show a reduction of 11.2% per tonne of cement compared to 1990 levels. Lafarge is on track to achieve its target of 20% by 2010.

* Results are based on 2004 results, which to date have not yet been independently certified.

For further information on the partnership (link to press pack)

For further information on Lafarge

• Related reading Lafarge Climate Savers Audit, 2004 (PDF)