Building materials supplier CEMEX and nature conservation charity the RSPB have celebrated 10 years of their UK biodiversity partnership. The partnership has seen the restoration of over 1,000 hectares of priority habitat at CEMEX quarry sites. CEMEX has around 50 quarry sites in the UK. The company says it decided to collaborate with the RSPB in 2009 because of the organisation’s huge conservation knowledge, experience and expertise, and scale and willingness to work in a trusted partnership, to lea
Building materials supplier CEMEX and nature conservation charity the RSPB have celebrated 10 years of their UK biodiversity partnership.
The partnership has seen the restoration of over 1,000 hectares of priority habitat at CEMEX quarry sites.
CEMEX has around 50 quarry sites in the UK. The company says it decided to collaborate with the RSPB in 2009 because of the organisation’s huge conservation knowledge, experience and expertise, and scale and willingness to work in a trusted partnership, to lead the industry in terms of biodiversity and conservation efforts.
The partnership prioritised the conservation of rare and endangered species on CEMEX land. Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are now in place at high priority CEMEX sites, with new projects being started at other quarries.
These BAPs incorporate varied actions that improve ecosystem services and create space for rewilding, presenting opportunities for working alongside NGOs to develop species rich habitats.
Alongside the 1,000 hectares of restored habitat, other achievements of the partnership so far have included work at four central England sites to create habitat and a sustainable food source for the turtle dove, which is the country’s fastest-declining bird species; and efforts to protect the rare red-billed chough at its Raynes quarry.
CEMEX says that restoration projects such as the Rugeley heathland and Lade Pits quarry in Kent have receieved nationwide acclaim. The company adds it will continue to work closely with the RSPB towards a series of further targets for priority species conservation and priority habitat creation. The company will also work on improved engagement and awareness with employees, customers and communities.
Andy Spencer, VP of corporate affairs, sustainability & ERM for CEMEX Europe, said of the partnership: “Not only have we restored a considerable amount of priority habitat across the country together, two years ahead of schedule, but we have also helped a number of rare species.
“Conservation is one of the key parts of our ongoing sustainability strategy and this partnership is critical for us to delivery ongoing net gain in biodiversity across our extraction sites so when we complete our work, we are giving more back to society and the environment than was there to start with.”
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, commented: “Working in partnership with CEMEX we have shown how land can be transformed from being an active quarry into a vibrant home for wildlife and we hope that our experience inspires others to play their part in restoring nature.”
She added that, in addition to providing urgently needed new habitat for threatened species, the former quarry sites are also providing communities with accessible green spaces.
A special event was held to mark the tenth anniversary of the partnership at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden, London.
