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    • Environment

    Although the building materials industry is not a large consumer of water compared to other industries, water is an essential resource in our operations. Lack of access to a reliable supply of water is reaching unprecedented proportions in many areas of the world. Both the demand for water and its price are expected to rise under the pressure of population growth, urbanization and increased industrialization. With our water withdrawal reduction initiative we have created water awareness in our plants and implemented improved measurement methodologies.

     
    This corresponds to a reduction in our plants of 73 liters freshwater withdrawal per tonne of cementitious material.
     
    With our water withdrawal reduction initiative we have created water awareness in our plants and implemented improved measurement methodologies.
     
    We have established an interim target for 2022 corresponding to 291 liter per tonne cementitious material.
     

    A local resource
    Water is fundamentally a local resource and its sustainable management requires an understanding of the specific context and drivers in each location. At sites located in water-scarce areas, water challenges call for action beyond our own fenceline. An assessment of LafargeHolcim sites, using the World Business Council For Sustainable Development WBCSD Global Water Tool, showed that around 17 percent of our cement sites are located in water-scarce areas.

    Saving water
    We optimize and prevent the use of fresh water as well as reduce the risk of depletion or pollution by: measuring our operational water footprint, reducing freshwater withdrawal, assessing water risks, engaging with stakeholders on sharing water, providing more water to communities.