Sustainable development
A Global Approach
Imerys’ international scope gives it special responsibilities with respect to employees, shareholders, the communities in which it operates and the environment. Consequently, various stakeholder interests have been identified:
ENVIRONMENT: manage activities with respect for the environment, which implies using mineral reserves responsibly;
HEALTH & SAFETY: guarantee the health and safety of employees in the workplace;
HUMAN RESOURCES: enable employees to develop professionally, and provide satisfactory social benefits;
COMMUNITIES: act as a full member of the communities where the Group is based;
INNOVATION: develop and make high quality, environment-friendly products and technologies;
GOVERNANCE: constantly apply and improve the Group’s corporate governance practices to keep pace with best practices.
Imerys is aware of the importance of its commitments and the potentially negative impact on its activities and operating permits if it fails to meet any of these standards. Consequently, environmental and social performance is a key component of the Group’s results.
Imerys’ Sustainable Development strategy is defined by a Sustainable Development (SD) Steering Committee that meets quarterly. The SD Steering Committee brings together various corporate functions: Research & Technology, Internal and External Communications, Human Resources, Environment, Health and Safety and Legal. Three members of Imerys’ Executive Committee are on the Committee.
The SD Steering Committee is assisted by the SD Working Group, which is comprised of Environment, Health & Safety, Sustainable Development and Human Resources professionals who are representative of all Imerys’ activities. The Group Vice President Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) is the specific individual responsible for coordinating efforts on Sustainable Development. Tasked by the Steering Committee with defining the Group’s medium-term (2009-2011) Sustainable Development goals, the SD Working Group recently put forward its recommendations.
The Board of Directors is increasingly attentive to Sustainable Development risks and issues. The Audit Committee is tasked with reviewing SD structures, policies, goals and results in greater detail. The main findings of that review, conducted in January 2009, will be presented to the Board of Directors in an upcoming meeting.
Methodology for Calculating Carbon Footprint
The scope and principles in the document below are applied in Imerys carbon footprint reporting for kaolin, GCC and PCC alike.
Methodology for Calculating Carbon Footprint
Social Projects
Pigments for Paper continually improve their community relations by investing in the people that work with them, supporting sustainable projects, building a sustainable infrastructure and generating economic growth through their operations.
Teachers go Back to School - Winner of the Imerys Sustainable Development Challenge 2009 for Community - Education
Imerys RCC is currently running two elementary school teacher-training projects in northern Brazil as part of the Group's Environmental Education Program.
Two Pigments for Paper initiatives below, winners of the Imerys Sustainable Development Challenge 2008.
Ilha São João Fishermen - This project, developed in partnership with Imerys Rio Capim Caulim, offers development, material and training support to foster professional fishing activities in the Ilha São João community... read more
Garden of Renaissance - Reclamation, restoration and rehabilitation of the ecosystem on ex-quarry land at Ipoh, Malaysia... read more
