The role of the Group's lobbying activities is to explain to policy-makers and stakeholders Lafarge's view on its key issues, and to work with other players of the Group's industry to anticipate regulatory changes. This approach relies on the policies developed and applied by the Group in different fields (environment, HR, Health & safety, etc).
Responsible lobbying |
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For Lafarge, it is important to anticipate important issues for the company and its political, legal and business environment and to react or adapt to new regulations. For that matter, we are engaged in a permanent dialogue with our stakeholders, especially national, regional and local governments, in accordance with the Group's Principles of Action, Code of Business Conduct and Lobbying Charter.
The Lobbying Charter outlines the 3 major principles which are fundamental to our responsible lobbying practice:
In the wake of the new Group organization effective in 2012, Lafarge is building an internal network of operational managers and executives, dedicated to Public Affairs. This will enable the Group to fulfill its commitment to responsible lobbying and ensure that this program is implemented throughout Lafarge.
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StakeholdersTwo panels of experts |
Lafarge's public positions
FAQ 1 : Energy consumption and resource management
Building the circular economy for the long term requires working on a regional basis and fostering recycling and valuable use of waste locally. Lafarge is convinced that it is possible to create a symbiotic relationship between multiple industries so that waste from one company can be used as fuel or raw materials for another. Strong public incentives are needed to develop the recycling industry, by limiting waste burying and promoting the reuse of waste materials from an industry by others.
FAQ 2 : Biodiversity
We are convinced that our extracting practice is compatible with biodiversity protection. Lafarge can have a positive impact on biodiversity protection and ecosystem management by adopting appropriate planning for resource extraction and rehabilitation programs. In so doing, natural resources can be protected in the long term. We support public policies and regulations that combine biodiversity preservation, sustainable development of our ecosystems and expansion of our business. In order to do this, it is essential to enable raw material sourcing and extraction close to production sites. This is achieved through appropriate planning and efficient allocation of licenses to operate. In addition, we consider that quarry rehabilitation is the best way to protect biodiversity, as opposed to financial compensation.
FAQ 3 : Water
Lafarge believes water policies need to cover three essential aspects, namely: resource availability, quality and ecosystem management. We operate in places with very different water profiles. In waterstressed regions, access to water and availability of water for communities is a matter of corporate social responsibility. Lafarge believes public policies need to be implemented locally. They should aim at maximizing benefits for all stakeholders equitably through coordination on water, land and other resource management, without jeopardizing ecosystems. Such public policies should result from dialogue between all stakeholders, including the private sector.
FAQ 4 : CO2 and air emissions
Because these iss ues are closely intertwined, public policies should address carbon emissions, energy and environmental matters in a coordinated, holistic and integrated manner. In order for industrial companies to plan and implement their necessary investments and remain internationally competitive, these energy and climate related policies should have a stable and predictable framework with clear objectives, and should be fully articulated with other economic, industrial and fiscal policies. We are in favor of policies that together tackle both CO2 emission reductions and promote energy efficiency and innovation in the value chain (especially in the building sector). We support market mechanisms, including the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which are the most cost effective way to trigger CO2 emission reductions in the industrial sector.
Lafarge policies |
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Last update on 08/30/2012
