Swiss building materials giant Holcim Ltd and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) have signed a cooperation agreement to work jointly on ecosystem conservation and biodiversity issues relevant to the building materials sector. Julia Marton-Lefevre, director general if IUCN and Holcim CEO Markus Akermann signed a three-year agreement to develop new ecosystem conservation standards for the Holcim Group.

The main areas of cooperation are: review and assessment of Holcim's approach to biodiversity conservation management; development of a comprehensive biodiversity policy and strategy; identification and development of joint initiatives supporting sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation; and promotion of good practices by sharing the learning the the wider industry and conservation communities.

IUCN and Holcim have agreed on the first projects up for review will be at Holcim sites in Sri Lanka and to facilitate existing quarry rehabilitation planning and implementation. Holcim Lanka will bring in technical expertise to contribute to the rehabilitation efforts of coral ecosystems and explore the use of sustainably produced biomass as an alternative fuel.