Concrete Steps to Cementing Sustainability: Holcim's Environmental Strategy

This case study explores how Holcim, the global leader of the cement industry, addresses the sustainability imperatives through a set of structured initiatives and policy. The case focuses on the challenges faced by Holcim at a time when the imperatives of climate change, resource scarcity, and stakeholder expectations converged to reshape the very foundations of its business strategy, compelling the firm to reimagine its operations through a lens of environmental, social, and governance principles. The case starts with a brief description of the industry of cement, which is at the same time one of the most consumed products globally but also a major contributor to global CO2 emissions and then to global warming. Next the case briefly introduces Holcim and its major competitors. Then the case presents the major environmental challenges for the cement industry as well as the possible solutions with operational advances, innovation, and collaboration within actors. Finally, the case details the ESG strategy of Holcim in 2023 with a first evaluation of its results.