Stakeholder panels

How the panel works

Since 2003, members of the panel have been meeting three times a year to develop recommendations concerning:

• the management's sustainable development approach,
• and the company's environmental and social performance.

November 2010: agenda with the Executive Committee

On November 23, 2010, in Paris, the stakeholder panel met with the Group's Executive Committee to discuss:

• innovation within the Group,
• future sustainability ambitions,
• sub-contractors guidelines,
• current issues such as:
  • health roadmap,
  • our climate change policies as of Cancun summit announcement,
  • projects for new plants in India and update on Meghalaya,
  • latest advances in sustainable construction,
  • feedback by panel members on visit to Morocco, etc.

Summary of comments on the 2010 Sustainability Report

The new and more concise format of the 2010 Sustainability report met the expectations of the stakeholder panel. Its members also acknowledged:

• Lafarge's commitment to driving innovation in favour of CO2 emission reduction, thanks to lower-carbon cements;
• The Group's focus on water resources, illustrated by its footprint assessment and reduction initiatives;
• The focus on human rights, through the reference to the Ruggie report and the recognition of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

The members of the panel also acted as "critical friends", pointing at their expectations towards the Group. As far as the content is concerned, they request that next year's report strike a better balance between data, narrative and forward-looking strategy.

In 2012, Lafarge will set its sustainable development ambitions for 2020. In this context, the panel recommends the Group:

• Reclaims its leadership position in the building materials sector through new objectives and a long-term vision and roadmap;
• Embraces a sustainable construction-oriented strategy including all building systems with a clear understanding of product and energy life cycles;
• Uses its leverage to challenge policymakers and fellow business leaders to drive systemic change across its industry and value chain.

The advisory panel on biodiversity was created in 2006 to advise the Group on its biodiversity strategy and contribute ideas to improve and develop it. The objective is to create a forum which meets twice a year to debate the best environmental practices.

The members of the panel

• Were chosen for their expertise in biodiversity subjects ranging from the preservation of fauna to international agreements and the management of natural zones.
• They also represent a broad cross-section of countries and cultures.