Friday, 22 July 2022

Holcim’s cost to society in 2021? 156 million tons of CO2 emissions

As the UK hit 40°C this week, a milestone in UK climate history, spare a thought for residents of an Indonesian island threatened by rising sea levels who have begun legal action against the cement producer Holcim – parent company of Aggregate Industries. 


You can see why. We have posted about Aggregate Industries’ parent, and its record on CO2 emissions. Last year we posted LafargeHolcim’s cost to society in 2020? 146 million tons of CO2 emissions – more than many countries. 

Since then the name has changed but the pollution goes on. In 2021, Holcim's cost to society has INCREASED to 156 million tons. 


So much for all the claims, for all the greenwash:


Holcim maintained its focus on CO2 emission reduction in 2021... we acknowledge we must accelerate our CO2 reductions in the coming years.
And what about Aggregate Industries, Holcim's UK subsidiary? 


Kirstin McCarthy, sustainability director at Aggregate Industries, says: 
We need to transform our business and we have already made progress.
This is the same sustainability director who spoke in support of the company’s wholly unsustainable 2.5 million mile haulage plan for Devon. 

She says: 
Our priorities are to reduce our impact on the climate, protect and enhance nature and the environment, drive the transition to a circular economy and protect and support our people and communities.
More greenwash. 

But for how much longer can companies make meaningless, hollow claims? Lawyers and environmentalists have greenwashing companies in their sights.


As one article in the financial press remarked: 
The popular ploy of marketing everything from burgers to investment funds as 'green' doesn’t look sustainable any more.
Suggest they include concrete in that list.

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