CRH is committed to ethically and responsibly managing all aspects of its operations in the interests of all its stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, neighbours, local communities and shareholders. CRH is committed to embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an integral component of its performance and growth strategy and to reporting annually to stakeholders on its CSR performance.
CRH’s CSR Strategy
CSR embraces four key aspects of CRH’s business, namely corporate governance, environmental management and climate change, health & safety management and social performance. In each of these areas, CRH has clearly defined Group policies, objectives, implementation programmes, review procedures and reporting mechanisms.
CRH’s positive commitment to CSR, which is underpinned by a set of core values, is one of its defining characteristics. Despite the major changes in the financial, economic and business climate worldwide in 2009, further progress has been made as CRH pursued its ongoing mission of Sustainable Performance and Growth and strove to meet the ever-increasing expectations of all stakeholders. CRH believes that achieving these expectations will be positive for the business and will enhance its strong corporate performance.
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance at CRH is very highly rated by leading Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) agencies. At board level CRH complies fully with the requirements of IFRS reporting as well as those of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance and also with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in so far as they apply to CRH. CRH has implemented a Code of Business Conduct throughout its operations. We have included a detailed review of corporate governance in this Report.
Environment and Climate Change
The Group Environmental Policy is implemented across all Group activities and environmental performance is reviewed annually by the Board. CRH continues, through ongoing systematic plant and system upgrading, to make progress in increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste, optimising water usage and recycling secondary materials and fuels. Restoration of worked-out pits and quarries is progressing where relevant and biodiversity is actively encouraged across the Group with many sites achieving public recognition in this regard.
As part of its CSR commitments, CRH has been actively addressing climate change through research and through developing pragmatic solutions including significant investments in modern energy-efficient technologies in its cement, lime and clay brick plants. The production of lower carbon cements is now a priority. Furthermore, climate change is a driving force in many activities, as a substantial proportion of CRH’s product portfolio is ideally suited to assist in the implementation of strategies for adaptation to climate change. The Group is well on target to meet its commitment to reduce specific cement plant carbon emissions by 15% on 1990 levels by 2015.
Health & Safety
The health and safety of employees and contractors working for the Group is a priority for the Board and for management at all levels of the organisation. The implementation of Best Practice in safety management is actively promoted and implemented across the Group and accident statistics continue to improve year on year. CRH continues to commit significant resources to improving health & safety at all its locations.
There were eight fatalities in 2009 in Group subsidiary companies. Each fatality is a tragedy, not only for the immediate family, but also for colleagues and the broader community. CRH deeply regrets each death and during 2009, introduced a Group-wide Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Fatalities. The plan highlights the fundamental areas that must be carefully managed so that fatal accidents are eliminated. It is backed up by specific training and auditing programmes. It aims to develop a greater sense of vulnerability and to instil a no-compromise philosophy regarding working safely. This CEO-led plan is being implemented to complement existing safety initiatives and its roll-out is being accompanied by a comprehensive communication programme.
Social
CRH’s objective is to remain the employer of choice for all employees. CRH actively supports social and community activities local to operations. In addition, plant open days provide opportunities for neighbours living in the vicinity of production plants to see at first hand the sustainable nature of CRH production processes and for plant management to outline the contribution to sustainable development that is made by CRH products.
Communications
CRH maintains an open-door policy on communications with key stakeholder groups. At Group level, CRH discusses its CSR performance with the investment community, SRI Rating Agencies and other interested parties. At plant and company level, CRH is in regular dialogue with local communities, authorities and regulatory agencies, underlining its commitment to operate as a good neighbour.
Full details of CRH’s corporate social responsibility performance are published in separate annual CSR Reports, which are available for download from www.crh.com. CRH continues to ensure full independent verification of its CSR reporting to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) A+ level. The verified 2009 CRH CSR Report will be available by mid-2010.
External Endorsements
CRH has maintained its distinguished record of being ranked among sector leaders by leading SRI rating agencies. CRH continues as a constituent member of the FTSE4Good Index and of the Dow Jones World and STOXX Sustainability Indexes. CRH has again been ranked by Sustainable Asset Management (SAM) as “Gold Class”.
