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Lafarge Africa commits to sustainable practices

Lafarge Africa Plc has restated its commitment to sustainable business practices because of its centrality to delivering value and building a resilient future.

Its GMD/CEO, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, who gave the commitment during the  released the company’s 2022 Sustainability Report, said:  “We truly believe that sustainable practices are critical for delivering shared value and building a resilient future, particularly in the light of the challenging business environment we find ourselves in.

“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 to create value for all our stakeholders while preserving our planet for the future generations. Our 2022 Sustainability Report highlights the milestones we have achieved on this journey.”

According to Alade-Akinyemi, the company during the year achieved a reduction in its CO2 emissions from 595 kgCO2 /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, achieving a global thermal substitution rate of 13.5per cent compared to 9.4per cent recorded in 2021. It 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,” the CEO 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. “We continue to focus on the areas with the most needs for our communities by implementing interventions in education, employment and empowerment, health and safety as well as shelter and infrastructure,” Alade-Akinyemi added.

Also speaking, the company Chairman, Prince Adebode Adefioye, said: “I am delighted to present Lafarge Africa Plc's latest Sustainability Report, highlighting our steadfast commitment to sustainability and our ongoing journey towards a greener future. 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.”

Head, Sustainable Development & Corporate Brand, Lafarge Africa Plc, Titilope Oguntuga, said: “Our team is indeed proud of the giant strides we made in 2022 but more importantly is committed to how we as a responsible organisation is truly ‘Building Progress for People and the Planet.

 “Our approach to emerging global trends and regulations has been to proactively monitor and engage, equip our teams with available resources and reinforce our approach in line with the global strategy of our organization.”

The report detailed Lafarge Africa's remarkable progress and significant achievements across its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives during the period spanning 1st January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

Since the inception of the sustainability reporting journey in 2015, Lafarge Africa Plc has remained steadfast in its commitment to transparency and accountability. This commitment has not only bolstered stakeholder confidence but has also resulted in several recognitions 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.

The report emphasizes Lafarge Africa's exemplary performance across its four sustainability pillars, namely Climate and Energy, Circular Economy, Nature, and People, underscoring the company's comprehensive approach to sustainable business practices.

Lafarge Africa's robust innovative strategies have been instrumental in driving the company's sustainable development agenda, while actively engaging with key stakeholders to address their concerns and incorporate their perspectives into its decision-making processes. 

The 2022 Sustainability Report vividly illustrates Lafarge Africa's steadfast adherence to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards for 2021, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) Sustainability Disclosures, demonstrating the company's alignment with international best practices in sustainability reporting.