Lafarge Africa, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company, says sustainable practices can deliver shared value and build a resilient future, particularly in light of Africa’s challenging business environment.
The company stated this when it announced the release of its 2022 Sustainability Report which highlights its unwavering dedication to sustainability and showcases its commitment to fostering a better future for both people and the planet.
According to the officials of the company, the report details its remarkable progress and significant achievements across its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives between January 1, and December 31, 2022.
The officials recalled that since the inception of the sustainability reporting journey in 2015, Lafarge Africa Plc has remained steadfast in its commitment to transparency and accountability, adding that the commitment has not only bolstered stakeholder confidence but also resulted in several recognition and awards including the prestigious 2022 NGX Made of Africa Award for Sustainability Reporting, affirming the company’s leading role in driving sustainable development in Nigeria.
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“I am delighted to present Lafarge Africa’s latest Sustainability Report, highlighting our steadfast commitment to sustainability and our ongoing journey towards a greener future,” Adebode Adefioye, chairman of the company, said.
Continuing, he said, “The theme of this report, ‘Shaping a Greener Future Through Innovation and Collaboration,’ encapsulates our dedication to fostering positive environmental and social impacts while upholding strong governance practices.”
The report, which underscores the company’s comprehensive approach to sustainable business practices, emphasizes its exemplary performance across its four sustainability pillars, namely climate and energy, circular economy, nature, and people.
Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, the company’s GMD/CEO, noted that “with the unwavering support and collaborative efforts of our shareholders, employees, customers, and communities, we were able to innovate in the areas of manufacturing, supply chain and service delivery.”
These, he added, enabled them to create value for all their stakeholders while preserving their planet for future generations. “Our 2022 Sustainability Report highlights the milestones we have achieved on this journey,” he said.
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According to Alade-Akinyemi, the company during the year achieved a reduction in its CO2 emissions from 595kgCO2 /t in 2021 to 574 kgCO2 /t in 2022 through the use of alternative fuel and the deployment of energy-efficient technologies across its production and distribution processes.
He said that they also achieved a global thermal substitution rate of 13.5 percent compared to 9.4 percent recorded in 2021. The company also continued to work diligently towards restoring biodiversity and ecosystems in areas affected by its operations.
“By adopting best practices and engaging with local communities, we ensured that our quarry rehabilitation efforts not only met regulatory requirements but also created sustainable livelihoods for host communities through employment and job creation as well as other social impact programmes,” he said.
The social impact performance aspect of the report underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of its stakeholders as it continues to foster partnerships with communities, governments, and non-profit organisations to address social challenges and make a positive impact.
