Episode
128

Sustainable Concrete: Innovations in Cement at Lafarge Canada

June 12, 2024
|
Duration:
2121235
Apple Podcast Icon
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Spotify icon
Listen on Spotify

In This Episode:

In this podcast episode, David and John interview Rob Cummings, the head of sustainability and public affairs at Lafarge Canada. The conversation covers Rob's role, Lafarge's efforts in decarbonization, public affairs, and the importance of governance in the cement industry. Rob shares examples of how the company is achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions and stresses the role of innovation, market systems, and rule changes in driving sustainability. The discussion also delves into biodiversity and how Lafarge aims to be net positive in biodiversity through quarry operations and restoration projects. Rob highlights the necessity for making sustainability profitable and the importance of good governance and accountability in achieving that goal.

Highlights

  • Decarbonization Efforts: Robert outlines Lafarge Canada’s commitment to reducing carbon intensity, achieving a 25% reduction in the last two years and aiming for a 40% reduction by 2030 through strategies such as energy efficiency and transitioning to lower-carbon fuels.
  • Biodiversity Commitment: Robert emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and Lafarge’s goal to become biodiversity net positive, highlighting their efforts to restore and enhance natural habitats during and after quarry operations.
  • Governance in Sustainability: The discussion covers how governance principles are essential for ensuring accuracy and reliability in sustainability reporting, with an emphasis on the need for tighter regulations and standards to foster genuine competition in low-carbon products.
  • Market Dynamics and Carbon Pricing: Robert explains how carbon pricing influences operational decisions, driving investments in sustainability, and how changes in regulations can create profitable opportunities for the industry.
  • Collaboration and Innovation: The importance of collaboration with partners, customers, and government bodies is highlighted as a key factor in achieving sustainability goals, as well as fostering innovation within the sector.

Key Insights

  • Sustainability and Profitability: A critical takeaway is that sustainability must be profitable to be sustainable; Robert stresses that without financial viability, sustainability initiatives cannot thrive.
  • Holistic Approach to ESG: Robert advocates for integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements across various business functions, indicating that collaboration among different departments is essential for advancing sustainability.
  • Biodiversity as a Business Imperative: The episode illustrates that biodiversity considerations are not just environmental concerns but also critical for gaining community trust and securing operational licenses, emphasizing a balanced approach to industrial activities.
  • The Role of Offsets: The discussion reflects on the growing importance of high-quality carbon offsets as part of a broader strategy for achieving net-zero goals, highlighting the need for transparent and regulated offset markets.
  • Innovation through Regulation Changes: Robert points out that changing regulations can unlock new business opportunities, driving innovation that aligns both environmental responsibility and economic growth.
Prev

Loading...

Next

Loading...