Page 113 - Sigmaroc Annual-Report 2023

Mitigation
The 3 focuses areas for 2023 were:
• Scope 1 – commissioning of the Company’s first modular Carbon Capture system
• Scope 2 – improvement of energy use and energy intensity and sourcing of alternative energy
• Scope 3 – continual development of sustainable products
The commissioning of the Company’s first modular Carbon Capture system and continual development of sustainable products helping recue scope 1 and scope 3 emission. The modular plant is now commissioned and able to capture with a purity of 96% through just 2 stages. Subject to finding a commercial outlet for the CO2, the Company is in a position to expand the roll out of the system. Whilst Governments and third parties continue to try to develop necessary policies and infrastructure for transport and sequestration of CO2, the Company is proactively identifying independent transportation systems that can utilise road and rail as well as internal and external CO2 uses such as the sequestration of CO2 into our own concrete products to support Greenbloc and Mevo technology.
The Company has engaged with a series of mandatory and voluntary programmes to focus on the reduction of emissions intensities. These include reporting to CDP as well as submission to SBTi of which we are awaiting the verification process.
Additional initiatives include completion of our ESOS report which is part of the European Energy Directive and the submission of our annual SECR report that looks at both mandatory and voluntary reporting aspects and is a guide to focus areas.
Toxic Emissions and Waste
Governance and Strategy
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are key to ensuring management of toxic emissions and waste. Across our businesses, 76% of our businesses (by revenue) have an ISO14001 certified Environmental Management System (EMS) that also include provisions for waste management with no fines being incurred in 2023.
Our EMSs, including our 14001 audited EMS are regularly audited by external auditors as well as additional specialised audits conducted by the likes of MCA and Lloyds Register for aspects such as MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.)
Targets & Performance
In terms of air quality, our NOx and SOx performance has seen a significant step change reduction. This has been achieved through a combination of kiln network balancing and the use of Selective Non Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) systems.
Biodiversity and Land Use
Policy
SigmaRoc operates a series of policies that include: • Sustainability Policy
• Environment and Water Policy
• Biodiversity Policy
• Energy and Climate Policy
These include provisions and commitments on sustainably managing natural resources and raw materials, minimising disturbance from operations and reclaiming habitat and disturbed land.
The Board has overall responsibility for the Policies and approves the policies which are then cascaded throughout the business with a formal acknowledgement and training program to be rolled out in 2024 to all employees and contractors as required. These will be monitored and audited quarterly by the Board with a target of 100% compliance for employees in terms of acknowledgement and training.
Program and Structures
Restoration and Rehabilitation
As part of site planning and permits, most government agencies and authorities require restoration plans to be in place. These restoration plans cannot be completed until the operations have come to end of life, however where there is an opportunity, our sites work concurrently to restore areas that are no longer operational.
Despite the Group operating over a large area of approximately 5,287 acres, with 17% having been restored or under restoration restored in line with local authorities and community requirements.
Protection of natural ecosystems
Even before a point of final restoration, our sites work closely with local authorities, working groups and communities to ensure we maximise not only the preservation of existing ecosystems, but often the generation of further eco-systems to provide a thriving environment for existing species but also previously extinct species. This includes both fauna and flora with success derived through programs such as flora relocation programmes, wildflower programs, Red Bill chough breeding programs, Peregrine falcon nesting programs and great crested newt habitat establishment.
Some sites are close to Sites of Specific Scientific Interest where our working relationships with local groups and national agencies have helped ensure they thrive. Where there is risk of impact, the valuable species are moved to other suitable or created areas.
Biodiversity and Community Impact
The Company works closely with communities and local authorities to ensure that our ongoing operations and future operations minimise environmental and community impact. Our future works are supported by impact assessments prior to the commencement of work.
Operational considerations not only seek to minimise impact, but also actively enhance biodiversity in surrounding areas.
Before commencing operation of a site, the potential environmental, including bio diversity, and social impacts are assessed through an Environmental Impact Assessment
113
196
447
2023
2022
87% 36%
SOx NOx
699
1,544