Concrete Solutions for a Sustainable Future: CEMEX’s Commitment to the SDGs
CEMEX is a leading global building materials company that is committed to creating shared value and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shared value is a concept developed by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter that emphasises the importance of aligning business goals with societal needs. By creating shared value, companies can generate economic value while also improving social and environmental outcomes.
CEMEX has integrated the shared value concept into its business model, focusing on creating sustainable solutions that contribute to the SDGs. The company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its operations and initiatives, which aim to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, promote social development, and create economic growth in the communities it serves.
In line with the SDGs, CEMEX has established ambitious targets to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable construction practices. The company has invested in alternative fuels and renewable energy sources, and has implemented programmes to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, CEMEX has launched initiatives to support social development and economic growth in the communities it operates in, including programmes to improve education, health, and infrastructure.
Building Homes, Building Futures: CEMEX’s Patrimonio Hoy Programme
CEMEX’s Patrimonio Hoy programme is an example of the company’s commitment to creating shared value and contributing to the SDGs, particularly SDG 1, which aims to eradicate poverty. Patrimonio Hoy is a housing programme that provides low-income families in Mexico with affordable and accessible building materials, credit, and technical assistance to help them build their own homes. The programme allows families to gradually build their homes and pay for the materials over time, reducing the financial burden of homeownership.
The Patrimonio Hoy programme has had a significant impact on poverty reduction in Mexico. Since its launch in 1998, the programme has provided affordable housing solutions to over 1.2 million families, improving their quality of life and contributing to the economic development of the communities where they live. The programme has also created job opportunities in the construction industry, promoting economic growth and reducing inequality.
Overall, the Patrimonio Hoy programme is a prime example of how private sector companies like CEMEX can contribute to poverty reduction and the SDGs. By using its core competencies and resources to create sustainable solutions, CEMEX is not only generating economic value but also promoting social and environmental progress, making a positive impact on the communities it serves.
CEMEX’s efforts to create shared value and contribute to the SDGs have been widely recognised. The company has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 17 consecutive years, and has received numerous awards for its sustainability initiatives, including the United Nations Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award.
CEMEX is a leading example of how businesses can create shared value and contribute to the SDGs. By integrating sustainability into its business model and operations, CEMEX has demonstrated its commitment to creating economic, social, and environmental value. As a result, the company has earned a reputation as a sustainability leader in the building materials industry and has become a model for other companies to follow.
References:
- Harvard Business School. (2011). Creating Shared Value. Retrieved from https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/Creating%20Shared%20Value_The%20HBR%20Interview_6a8d3fa3-173a-42c5-8466-8a48e1e7805d.pdf
- United Nations. (2021). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. (2021). DJSI World. Retrieved from https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/djsi-world
- CEMEX (2021). Patrimonio Hoy, Building Together. Retrieved from https://www.cemex.com/documents/11979/13126817/Patrimonio+Hoy%2C+Building+Together_ENG.pdf/965a24d7-6599-9ac7-25fb-8f6a70df1302
- United Nations Global Compact. (2021). CEO Water Mandate. Retrieved from https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/action/water/ceo-water-mandate
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2021). ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. Retrieved from https://www.energystar.gov/about/content/2021_energy_star_awards_partners_of_the_year
- CEMEX (2021). Patrimonio Hoy, Building Futures. Retrieved from https://www.cemex.com/documents/11979/13126817/Patrimonio+Hoy%2C+Building+Futures_ENG.pdf/1e987e2c-007d-9eb1-f010-e261f390c492
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