Sustainable construction

Buildings represent nearly 40% of global energy demand. Reducing constructions' environmental footprint is an essential tool in fighting climate change. At least 80% of a building's energy consumption occurs during its use. It is therefore vital to improve its performances throughout its lifecycle.

To do this, Lafarge has developed an approach based on 3 priority focuses:

• economizing energy consumption;
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
• keeping construction costs as low as possible;

while improving structures' other environmental and social footprints as much as possible.

To achieve these objectives, the Group uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, which quantifies a product's or building's environmental footprint throughout its life (greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water consumption, transport, etc.).  

And to raise the public's awareness of its commitment to more efficient and sustainable construction, Lafarge has created EFFICIENT BUILDING™, an approach relying on measurable factual data. EFFICIENT BUILDING™ is meant to highlight the particular benefits of a solution, construction project, partnership or innovation, such as its contribution to energy performance, durability or to optimizing resources used throughout a construction's life.    

Lafarge believes that a building's environment footprint begins from its design stage. In order to offer solutions upstream in the value chain, the Group focuses on innovation, devoting over 50% of its R&D investments in 2010, representing more than 70 million euros, to sustainable construction.

The Group works in close collaboration with the leading research centers and prestigious universities worldwide, including:

• MIT (Massachussetts Institute of Technology) in the United States:
• the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées and the CNRS in France;
• Tsinghua University in China;
• IIT Madras in India.

Lafarge also carries out research in collaboration with architecture firms and engineering offices to offer solutions with environmental characteristics most suited to projects. For example, the Group worked with the firm Arte Charpentier to design Essilor's new R&D center, which sets an environmental benchmark.

Collaboration with players in the sector also includes partnerships with project owners, such as Bouygues Construction, with whom Lafarge develops innovative solutions responding to sustainable construction challenges.

Lafarge works in numerous bodies and working groups, on an international and local level, to promote more sustainable construction and contribute to progress towards more sustainable methods of construction, in its sector and beyond.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Lafarge is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), an organization of 200 large companies committed to a sustainability approach.
In the context of the WBCSD, Lafarge is particularly active in 2 programs: CSI and EEB.

Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI)
Along with 23 cement manufacturers operating all around the world and representing more than 40% of global production, Lafarge had the idea of setting up the "Cement Sustainability Initiative". The program offers a framework for dialogue between cement manufacturers which agree to do all they can to:

• protect the climate,
• preserve resources (natural raw materials and fossil fuels),
• guarantee the health and safety of employees.

In 2010, the Chairman and CEO Bruno Lafont co-chaired the CSI, showing the Group's permanent commitment.   

Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB)
In 2006, Lafarge launched the EEB in partnership with United Technologies Corp., the world's largest supplier of capital goods. This project aims to develop the way construction is viewed, at every stage, from the design to the demolition of buildings.
The goal, by 2050, is to construct buildings which are self-sufficient in energy and no longer produce any CO2.
17 multinational companies, all among the leaders in their sector, are now part of this project: United Technologies, Bosch, Dupont, EDF, GDF Suez, Philips, Skanska, Tokyo Electric Power Company, etc.    

Four major players in the building and energy sectors (Lafarge, Arcelor, EDF and GDF-Suez) have come together to form the Fondation Bâtiment-Energie, a recognized NGO in France. Its mission is to support research and curb climate change.

The goal is to quarter greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through:

• a reduction in energy consumption,
• increased use of renewable energies in the building sector,
• promotion of innovative technologies.

As part of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Lafarge is leading the Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative.

The goal is to promote the most environmentally-friendly practices and establish criteria for assessing construction and building.