Holcim Lanka engages local stakeholders to promote sustainable environmental practices

Standing from left: Holcim Lanka System Compliance Manager Amila Silva, Geocycle General Manager Randeew​a Malalasooriya, Ansell Lanka EHS Senior Manager Artha Salgado, Hirdaramani Group Assistant Manager Sustainability Demith Gooneratne​, Geocycle Assistant Manager Key Accounts Najila Rangnath, MAS Holdings Environmental Sustainability Project Lead Ranil Karunathunga, Ministry of Environment Policies and Planning Director Ajith de Silva, Holcim Lanka Head of SD Chalaka Fernando, Holcim Lanka Communications Manager ​Fiona Nanayakkara and Geocycle Manager Marketing and Sales Sanjeewa Chulakumara  

Sitting from left: Holcim Group Senior Consultant Environment Maria Rosario Chan, Central Environmental Authority Director General K.H. Muthukudaarachchi, Holcim Group Environmental Management Head Dominique Buchi 

Demonstrating leadership and commitment towards improving sustainable environmental practices Holcim (Lanka) Ltd. recently organised a high level interactive session on global environment management trends and Sri Lankan learning.

The objective of the Environmental Forum was two-fold. It addressed Holcim Lanka’s views and initiatives as a multinational looking at the wider perspective of environment performance while sharing knowledge with highest state stakeholders and like-minded business corporates.

The Forum also served to understand how outstanding local corporates use good environmental practices and share these best practices towards future initiatives. 

Participating in the lively discussions were senior government officials from the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Ministry of Environment, and representatives of local corporates actively engaged in developing sustainable businesses and environmental compliance.  

Top local corporates including Hayleys, John Keells Holding, MAS Holdings, MTD Walkers and Hirdaramani Group were active participants during the interactive sessions creating a strong collaborative platform amongst all stakeholders. 

During the discussion all stakeholders pledged to continue their role in environmental and sustainability stewardship reinforcing the importance of partnerships between government and business organisations in creating inclusive initiatives to support the sustainable development agenda.

Dominique Büchi, Head of Environment, Holcim Group, who drives the organisation’s sustainability agenda, addressed the forum. He introduced the ‘Holcim Sustainable Development Ambition 2030’ report which reflects Holcim’s aspiration to go beyond ‘business as usual’ and to be part of the solution for today’s challenges.

“It’s not just a business plan for the next three to five years, we want to draw out a vision and the way forward and make a contribution through different aspects,” Büchi said.

The strategy focuses on areas of Climate, Resources and Communities with the intention to significantly increase the Group’s portfolio of sustainability enhancing products and services.

“Holcim’s objective is to build the business in a more sustainable direction and in 2030 produce one third of our services through sustainable solutions or services. We looked at the lifecycle of our product and the value it provides towards sustainable development and based it on three pillars; ‘climate, resources and communities’,” added Büchi. 

Büchi explained Holcim aspires by 2030 to maintain net CO2 emissions at 2013 levels, across the whole lifecycle of its products through products and services that reduce emissions from buildings and infrastructure.

“This is the part of our sustainable initiatives and ties in with Holcim Lanka’s ethics and leadership vision. Bringing together like-minded companies shows openness to networking and finding synergy. It is the duty of corporates to take leadership in sustainability. Today’s event is a way to take it forward,” noted Holcim Lanka Head of Sustainable Development Chalaka Fernando.

Holcim is also motivated to positively impact water resources in scarce areas demonstrating an optimistic change for biodiversity.

Through its inclusive business solutions Holcim will also improve the quality of life of 100 million people at the base of the pyramid.

Commending Holcim’s initiatives, CEA Director General K.H. Muthukudaarachchi noted, “This is a very timely and positive approach. It is a good starting point. Government agencies should be a mechanism for policy development and I’m pleased to be here as a regulator.”

Also present at the Forum was Ministry of Environment Director (Policies and Planning) Ajith De Silva. He added, “There is a responsibility to contribute the maximum to create a better environment for the future. It is not a sector a single person or institute can handle. They (Holcim) are acting in a way that can bridge the gap between environment and industry trade-off.”

Büchi praised Holcim Lanka’s continuous journey towards improvement and sustained effort in terms of its work in sustainable development and ambitious role in acting as a local agent for change. He also commended participating corporates for their stellar contribution towards environmental solutions.

As pioneers in developing sustainable environmental solutions, Holcim Lanka’s industrial waste management solutions Geocycle unit plays a unique and leadership role in helping local communities dispose waste in an environmental friendly manner. 

Holcim Lanka has scheduled another forum in the ensuing months to continue the positive dialogue and ongoing collaboration with all stakeholders. Holcim Lanka looks forward to continue its work with like-minded corporates as an ongoing platform seeking environmentally friendly solutions and to boost sustainable development initiatives in the country.