In the episode 8 of The Green Perspective Podcasts our hosts, Steph Berwick, and Lily Clarke were joined by Marian Garfield, Director of Sustainability at Heidelberg Materials. She discusses her team's commendable achievements, her vision for a sustainable future, and the significant strides Heidelberg Materials is making in decarbonising the construction industry.
A Celebrated Team Effort
Marian proudly highlights her team's recent accolade at the Green Business Awards. One of her team members, who joined as a graduate just two years ago, has shown remarkable growth through the mentorship and guidance provided within the team. It's an inspiring testament to the effectiveness of mentorship and how nurturing talent is directly linked to achieving noteworthy goals. This celebration of collective effort underscores Marian's dedication to fostering a culture of growth and innovation, supporting the 2030 commitments within the Heidelberg Materials group and their UK business.
Pioneering Carbon Capture Technology
A focal point of the episode is Heidelberg Materials' groundbreaking efforts in carbon capture. Marian explains that Heidelberg has been committed to sustainability for the last two to three decades, with an ambition to achieve net zero by 2050. Given the current climate emergency, these efforts have only intensified. She shares their exciting development of the first carbon capture technology for concrete, a critical advancement considering the substantial CO2 emissions from cement manufacturing.
Heidelberg's pioneering project at their Brevik plant in Norway is set to become the world's first operational carbon capture plant at a cement facility. Scheduled to capture a staggering 400,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, this project is just the beginning. By 2030, Heidelberg aims to capture 10 million tonnes of CO2 through various initiatives worldwide.
Driving the Circular Economy
Environmental responsibility at Heidelberg doesn't stop at carbon capture. Marian emphasises the company's strong focus on integrating circular economy principles. By 2030, Heidelberg aims to incorporate 9 million tonnes of recycled aggregates into their business. Investments in recycling hubs and innovations to increase the reuse of materials are pivotal to this strategy. This approach not only minimises waste but also generates sustainable revenue, making it a win-win scenario for both the environment and the business.
Biodiversity and Responsible Land Use
In alignment with their sustainability goals, Heidelberg Materials is striving to become a nature-positive organisation. They have implemented active biodiversity management plans across all their quarries, demonstrating positive biodiversity impacts even during operations. Projects like the award-winning land restoration at Needingworth in Cambridgeshire showcase the company's commitment to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. Notably, 15% of active quarry land is designated for nature, reflecting a dedicated approach to conservation.
Innovations and Collaborations
The commitment to sustainability at Heidelberg is evident through various innovations and collaborative efforts. From using hydrogen in asphalt plants to changing material standards, the company consistently seeks innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact. Marian also discusses the importance of engaging with supply chain partners and sharing best practices across industries. One discussion point was whether sustainability innovations should be shared among competitors or kept as a competitive edge. The balance between collaboration and competition is nuanced, but Marian stresses the importance of sharing learnings, particularly in transformative areas like carbon capture.
Simplifying Sustainability
Marian offers valuable advice on making sustainability accessible and actionable within organisations. By linking sustainability efforts to business improvements, building a clear business case, and focusing on small, impactful wins, companies can gradually create significant changes. As she puts it, "don't try and boil the ocean."
Connecting Passion with Purpose
Passion drives change, and Marian's approach to embedding sustainability within her team aligns with this philosophy. By identifying and supporting passionate individuals, and building allyship with engaged senior leaders, organisations can foster a culture of sustainability. This passion doesn't require technical expertise; rather, it's about commitment and willingness to learn over time.
Marian's insights on how integrating sustainability into core business operations can drive substantial, positive change serves as a guiding light for organisations striving to make a lasting, meaningful impact on our planet. Tune in to episode 8 of The Green Perspective Podcast to discover how other businesses are paving the way toward a greener future.
