3 An efficient and responsible Group Achieve excellence in operations SAINT-GOBAIN UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2021 103 Biodiversity and land use 3.3.2.4 Saint-Gobain is particularly committed to protecting biodiversity at its high-impact sites or in areas with remarkable biodiversity. Thanks to the experience acquired in the field of extraction activities, the Group now has strong internal expertise in the area; it has adopted a biodiversity policy, the aim of which is to preserve, restore, enhance and boost biodiversity, and to this end to encourage the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. A mapping study of all Saint-Gobain’s sites was conducted using geographical tools to evaluate their sensitivity to the ecosystems based on their proximity to areas of high biodiversity value. The protected areas considered are areas recognized by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or more locally defined as Natura 2000 or RAMSAR areas. In 2019, the study was continued, adding as criteria the environmental impact of the sites, the expectations of stakeholders and the actions already undertaken in terms of biodiversity. This made it possible to finalize a list of around one hundred priority sites in 2021, the vast majority of which were quarries, for the implementation of biodiversity management plans and the sharing of best practices. production of gypsum (101 or 72%). A charter for the environment and biodiversity in all Saint-Gobain’s quarries and mines was published in 2019, capitalizing on the experience acquired over many years in gypsum. The Group’s quarries are operated and then restored with the aim of preserving the environment in accordance with the local rules. During the operating and restoration period, the effects on residents and on the environment are reduced as much as possible: visual impact, dust, noise and vibration, consequences to road traffic and repercussions on the local natural environments. In 2021, 39% of Saint-Gobain priority sites, around two-thirds of which quarries in operation, already had a biodiversity management plan analyzed centrally. “Biodiversity representatives” have been appointed at each of the priority sites. A training module explaining the challenges of biodiversity and the successful implementation of a biodiversity management plan was rolled out, and around twenty best practices in terms of biodiversity were distributed internally. Out of the 141 underground or surface quarries operated by the Group worldwide, the vast majority are for the Among the local initiatives identified in 2021, the Group renewed its commitment to “Act4nature International”, a voluntary commitment to biodiversity from international companies: one of the strong commitments concerns the implementation of biodiversity management plans for all active open-cast quarries by 2025.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzMxNTcx