CEMEX UK and RSPB cement their relationship

Quarrying company and bird protection charity sign five-year Memorandum of Understanding

CEMEX UK and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, cementing their relationship for a further five years.

The two organizations have been working in close partnership for the last three years and during that time, with the support of the RSPB, CEMEX have created and managed nature habitats equivalent to an area covered by 21 Olympic stadiums. Last year alone, more than 100ha were restored.

The partnership has developed and commenced the implementation of an ambitious 10-year biodiversity strategy which sets challenging biodiversity targets, including CEMEX UK’s goal to create and maintain 1,000ha of priority conservation habitat by 2020.

The Memorandum of Understanding will ensure the continuation of this work and aims to enhance and deepen the relationship going forward.

CEMEX UK’s president, Jesus Gonzalez (pictured on the right), said: ‘We are delighted that we are continuing our partnership with the RSPB. During the last three years we have made significant progress; their expertise in biodiversity has enabled us to find constructive business solutions to enhance the natural environment surrounding some of our operations.

‘Looking forward, their support will help us to continue to manage our sites, both during operations and after, to the highest environmental standard, while making a real difference to the country’s landscape and helping to build a greater Britain.’

RSPB conservation director Martin Harper (pictured on the left) said: ‘We are committed to increasing the amount of wildlife rich habitat in our countryside, and that is why this partnership is so important to us.

‘It is amazing to see a former quarry returned to nature and watch as the birds, wild plants and insects take over. There are some real success stories from this partnership where beautiful nature reserves have been created from spent minerals sites for the benefit of wildlife and local people.

‘I think this is a perfect example of charities and business working together for the greater good, and I look forward to many more years of co-operation with CEMEX UK.’