Holcim Lanka engages local stakeholders towards promoting sustainable environmental practices
Demonstrating leadership and commitment towards i mproving sustainable environmental practices, Holcim (Lanka) Ltd recently organized a high level interactive session on global environment management trends and Sri Lankan learning.
The objective of the Environmental Forum was twofold. It addressed Holcim Lanka’s views and initiatives as a multinational looking at the wider perspective of environment performance while sharing knowledge with highest state stakeholders and like-minded business corporates.
The Forum also served to understand how outstanding local corporates use good environmental practices and share these best practices towards future initiatives.
Participating in the lively discussions were senior government officials from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Ministry of Environment, and representatives of local corporates actively engaged in developing sustainable businesses and environmental compliance.
Top local corporates including Hayleys, John Keells Holding, MAS Holdings, MTD Walkers and Hirdaramani Group were active participants during the interactive sessions creating a strong collaborative platform amongst all stakeholders. During t he discussion all stakeholders pledged to continue their role in environmental and sustainability stewardship reinforcing t he i mportance of partnerships between government and business organizations in creating inclusive initiatives to support the sustainable development agenda.
Dominique Büchi, Head of Environment, Holcim Group, who drives the organisation’s sustainability agenda, addressed the forum. He introduced the ‘Holcim Sustainable Development Ambition 2030’ report which reflects Holcim’s aspiration to go beyond ‘business as usual’ and to be part of the solution for today’s challenges.
“It’s not just a business plan for the next 3-5 years, we want to draw out a vision and the way forward and make a contribution through different aspects,” Büchi said.
The strategy focuses on areas of Climate, Resources and Communities with the intention to significantly increase the Group’s portfolio of sustainability enhancing products and services.
“Holcim’s objective is to build the business in a more sustainable direction and in 2030 produce one third of our services through sustainable solutions or services. We looked at the lifecycle of our product and the value it provides towards sustainable development and based it on three pillars; climate, resources and communities’,” added Büchi. Büchi explained Holcim aspires by 2030 to maintain net CO2 emissions at 2013 levels, across the whole lifecycle of its products through products and services that reduce emissions from buildings and infrastructure.
“This is the part of our sustainable initiatives and ties in with Holcim Lanka’s ethics and leadership vision. Bringing together like-minded companies shows openness to networking and finding synergy. It is the duty of corporates to take leadership in sustainability. Today’s event is a way to take it forward,” noted Chalaka Fernando, Head of Sustainable Development, Holcim Lanka.
Holcim is also motivated to positively impact water resources i n scarce areas demonstrating an optimistic change for biodiversity.
Through its inclusive business solutions Holcim will also improve the quality of life of 100 million people at the base of the pyramid.
Commending Holcim’s i nitiatives, K H Muthukudaarachchi, Director General CEA noted, “This is a very timely and positive approach. It is a good starting point. Government agencies should be a mechanism for policy development and I’m pleased to be here as a regulator.”