Across all our operations at CEMEX, we strive to be good stewards for the environment. Recently we have been recognized for our efforts in achieving our goals in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability by external agencies. From reclamation projects in the Czech Republic to contributing to the first Roller Compacted Concrete award in United Arab Emirates and renewing our accreditation in France, CEMEX is uniquely placed to generate positive impacts on the biodiversity of the communities where it operates.

CEMEX RECEIVES TWO AWARDS FOR ITS BIODIVERSITY PROJECT AT THE NÁKLO GRAVEL PIT, Czech Republic

CEMEX in the Czech Republic received an award for its Biodiversity Action Plan in the fifth annual competition by the Mining Union in the Czech Republic (Těžební unie), showcasing the best revitalisation projects of mining areas (reclamation, renaturalisation, rehabilitation). The competition, titled "Zelený most" (Green Bridge), is open to projects featuring any type of reclamation of surface mine areas.

The Biodiversity Action Plan at the Náklo site, which was implemented in cooperation with the Czech Society for Ornithology, also received the silver certificate in the "Environmental Leader” category in other competition called Top Responsible Company organized by Business for Society. The purpose of this initiative is to develop CSR activities and sustainability enterprise.

The aim of the project was to explore and create conditions for maintaining the biodiversity of endangered species at the Náklo gravel pit, while continuing mining processes. Through the project, we managed to find unique habitats that have arisen because of mining. Among the 329-identified species, the most important was the incidence of, for example, the critically endangered Equisetum variegatum (variegated horsetail), which can only be found at 14 localities in the Czech Republic.
 

CEMEX RECEIVES 2^ND PLACE IN THE INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES, in the United Arab Emirates

CEMEX’s Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) has been awarded 2^nd place in the Awards International’s Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards in the “Innovation in Sustainable Technologies” category for its advantages and contributions for sustainability in the region, and the first of its kind in the Gulf Region.

The aim of the awards is to recognize companies and individuals in their outstanding implementation of customer service and sustainability technologies across the region. CEMEX’s RCC is a non-slump alternative paving concrete that shares many of the strength and durability attributes of traditional pavement-quality concrete, laid using conventional asphalt paving equipment while reducing the CO₂ footprint with 4 times the whole life-costing service than asphalt, and up to 5% in fuel economy by utilizing only 70% of total raw materials needed.
 

CEMEX FRANCE RENEWS ITS ACCREDITATIONS FOR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Two years after achieving the highest level on the grading scale for company practices in the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) area, CEMEX in France conducted another evaluation of its practices in the final quarter of 2016. This evaluation, carried out by ECOCERT, covered all CEMEX activities in France, at a total of 318 sites (operational and administrative). The company once again achieved an "excellence" rating, the highest level possible.

Among the strengths highlighted by the auditors were the good condition of sites, established team working practices with respect to environment and biodiversity, the quality of relationships with external stakeholders (e.g. school visits, relations with local government), and the high level of consideration for safety issues (e.g. safety briefings, action plans, health and safety days).

For Michel André, President of CEMEX France, the results of these evaluations are recognition for the hard work performed daily by teams on the ground.

"Our main challenge going forward is to retain and promote these accreditations and their advantages to persuade customers and other stakeholders of the benefits of working with us", he concluded.