Sustainable Development

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was created in 1997 for measuring the economic, environmental and social performance of companies. The GRI is working closely with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to develop an international standard for sustainable development.

The 2009 report was developed using the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (G3). Based on this GRI grading system, the 2009 report has received an A+ grading - evidence of the quality and performance of the Group in this area.

Created in 2005 by Corporate Knights et Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, the "Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations" project showcases the international companies which are the most committed to sustainable development.
Since 2005, for 6 years running, Lafarge has been ranked among the 100 most responsible companies.

Every year, social and environmental rating agencies compare Lafarge's sustainable development performance to that of other players in the sector and SRI rating indices. There is a general improvement in the response of major corporates to CSR and sustainability issues. This reinforces our determination to use the indices as a way of driving improvement in our own performance.

• Evaluation by SAM (Sustainability Asset Management, a DJSI Index): in 2009, Lafarge improved its total score in the index to 76% (an increase of 6% over 2008). 2009 saw material increases in our scores for Codes of conduct/compliance/corruption & bribery, anti-trust policy, human capital development, recycling strategy and operational eco-efficiency. We are aware that we need to keep on driving for improvement against the all-important health and safety measure.
  
  

• Evaluation by Oekom Research: our rating from this agency is C+, which gives us Prime status. Within the Oekom system, Lafarge "ranks among the world's best companies within the same industry and fulfils the sector specific minimum requirements". The survey identified quarry rehabilitation, addressing climate change and sustainable construction as strengths. Recyclability and reusability of construction materials were identified as areas of weakness. We had already set ourselves the target of making progress in these areas. This reinforced our determination to do so.
  
  

• Evaluation by Vigeo (Lafarge owns 0.74% of its equity): Vigeo rates Lafarge overall CSR performance as above the sector average. The areas of strongest performance are community involvement and human resources. The weakest area is corporate governance.
  
  

• Evaluation by FTSE4Good:
  • Since 2003, Lafarge has been a member of the FTSE4Good Index that gathers companies whose environmental and social risks are integrated to their policies and management systems.
  • The Environmental Leaders Europe 40 Index is designed to identify European companies with leading environmental practices and that are doing more to manage their environmental risks and impacts whilst reducing their environmental footprint. Lafarge is the only cement company included in the index.
    
    

• Evaluation by Innovest (now RiskMetrics): in its last Intangible Value Assessment (2007), Innovest gives Lafarge a AAA rating. The Group's sustainability strategy and environmental, social and governance initiatives would enable it to obtain opportunities both in the short and long-term.

• Evaluation by Euromoney and Ernst & Young: every year the companies, which are the most committed to renewable energies are recognized during the Global Renewable Energy Awards. In 2009, Lafarge was awarded in the category "Climate Change Investment Program of the Year".
  
  

• Evaluation by Storebrand: Lafarge is 1 of 5 companies judged best in class in Storebrand's analysis of the construction materials sector (2007). Lafarge is the most highly rated company in the social ratings aspect of the analysis for instance.

• Lafarge signed the United Nations Global Compact in 2003. The Global Compact is intended to extend the benefits of globalization to the entire planet. 

• The ISO 14001 standard: since 1996, this standard has been used to certify environmental practices and Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Lafarge is encouraging the establishment of an EMS and, where appropriate, ISO 14001 certification of its sites.

• Lafarge internet site lafarge.com has been recognized by the Swedish communication agency Hallvarsson & Halvarsson for the 2nd year running first French company website. The study also underlines the willingness of the Group to be transparent in its sustainable development communication.
  
  
• The website Lafarge.com has been recognized for its accessibility, earning it a "Silver" rating under the French Accessiweb label and an A grade from the European label, Euracert. In 2008, the Lafarge website was the first CAC 40 company website to receive these labels. In 2010, the 2 labels have been renewed after an external audit by Accessiweb.