Guidelines
Biodiversity management in the cement and aggregates sector: Summary Brochure
This document summarises the three guidance documents that IUCN has produced for the cement and aggregates sector: Integrated Biodiversity Management System guide, Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System guide, and the guide to Regulatory Tools. Click here to download.
Integrated Biodiversity Management System (IBMS)
By adopting an Integrated Biodiversity Management System, cement and aggregates companies can minimise their biodiversity risks and maximise their opportunities to contribute from good biodiversity and ecosystem management practices. An IBMS involves the development of a company-level biodiversity policy with targets, early identification of biodiversity risks and opportunities and a description of differentiated biodiversity management responses that can be implemented at the site level. To download the IBMS guide click here.
Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System (BIRS)
The adoption of a Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System allows companies to measure the effectiveness of their biodiversity management measures. BIRS complements an IBMS and represents a balance sheet of the ‘natural capital’, summarising the composite value of a company's landholdings for supporting biodiversity. Click here to download the full report.
Regulatory toolsIn order for voluntary action on biodiversity by leading companies to become standard practice throughout an industry or sector, policy makers and regulators need to support the establishment of an enabling policy environment. To support policy-makers in this endeavour, IUCN has developed guidance on the principles and content of regulatory tools that can be used to identify and address impacts, risks and opportunities to biodiversity and ecosystems from quarrying for cement and aggregates. Click here to download the guide.
Case studies and other publications
Valuing the net benefits of ecosystem restoration: Aggregate Industries UK, a subsidiary of Holcim, proposed to create a mix of wetlands for wildlife habitat as well as an artificial lake for recreation, following the extraction of sand and gravel from land currently used for agriculture. In collaboration with IUCN, ecosystem valuation was undertaken to assess the types and scale of economic benefits associated with wetland restoration. Click here to download.
Biodiversity-based microenterprise development
The objective of this paper, a collaboration between IUCN and Holcim, is to present a concept for the development and implementation of biodiversity-based microenterprises projects. Micro-enterprise development has been identified as an opportunity to secure livelihoods, improve nutrition and provide (self) employment opportunities, in particular to local youth, in many of the locations where Holcim is active. Click here to download.
