People and communities

At Holcim, we are building progress for people and the planet by upholding the highest human rights standards and spearheading a wide range of social initiatives.

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People & communities FAQ

How does Holcim serve its people and communities?

We are building progress for people and the planet by upholding the highest human rights standards and spearheading a wide range of social initiatives. Upholding human rights is a cornerstone of our Social Impact Strategy. This also focuses on our legacy of positive social impact, with more than CHF 190 million in social investment over the last six years.

We prioritize human rights due diligence across our operations, analyzing human rights risks and detailing our commitment in our policies.

Our commitment to communities builds on a legacy of positive social impact. We have invested more than 200 million CHF in the last five years in housing and infrastructure, health, education and skills development.

2030 people strategy


Our 2030 people strategy is centered around three pillars: infrastructure and housing, livelihoods and human rights. It outlines how Holcim is empowering people and communities through human rights due diligence and social impact initiatives.

 

Bridging the housing and infrastructure gap


Approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate housing and infrastructure. Holcim works in collaboration with various partners to meet this critical need through innovation, technology and market-based approaches.

Improving livelihoods around the world


Committed to thriving with our people and communities, Holcim actively invests in a broad range of initiatives. These initiatives cut across health, education and skills development to enhance the livelihoods of people in the areas where we operate.

Upholding the highest standards of human rights


Holcim strengthened its commitment to human rights by developing new and updated policies. Our policies are fully aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

“With our global footprint, Holcim is committed to thriving with our people and communities around the world. Respect for human rights is at the core of who we are. Let's build a smarter, greener world that works for all.”

Christoph von Toggenburg| HEAD OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals

We work to have a positive impact on all 17 UN SDGs. Under our people and communities pillar we have identified five goals where we can make a significant difference:

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How we are making it happen

Step into the Houses of Tomorrow

The Kanya Kawayan Weaving Center in the Philippines is a community center built on a sugar cane farm using sustainable design techniques. It will provide a space for local residents to transform waste from sugar cane into products they can sell. This will bring additional income to the community, improving living standards.

The Essential Homes Research Project

We partnered with the Norman Foster Foundation to develop a prototype for an essential home that provides durability, safety, dignity and wellbeing through the use of mobile and innovative technologies. We presented the project at the 2023 Venice Biennale to open the conversation on avenues to make sustainable building possible for all.

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