To protect and enhance biodiversity values throughout the operational and post-closure phases of our quarries, we develop site-specific Nature Reinstatement Plans. These plans enable us to identify risks and opportunities before activities commence on site, including biodiversity-related risks, ecosystem sensitivities and potential deforestation impacts, and to manage rehabilitation efforts effectively. In addition, through risk and opportunity assessment studies conducted across our factory and quarry areas, we monitor environmental impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, forest assets, water resources and soil, and aim to drive continuous improvement.
In line with our commitment to achieve zero net deforestation by 2050 across our own operations, suppliers and business partners, we consider deforestation risks that may arise from our activities and value chain as one of our priority environmental risks. In this context, we assess potential impacts on natural forests, sensitive ecosystems, protected areas, Key Biodiversity Areas and areas with high carbon stocks at an early stage, and take the necessary actions accordingly.
In line with this approach, we aim to achieve a Net Positive Impact (NPI) on biodiversity by 2030 by systematically reducing our impacts on biodiversity and scaling up our site-specific conservation, rehabilitation, restoration and improvement practices. Under this target, we continue to implement actions through our Biodiversity Action Plans to protect biodiversity values in our priority areas, support ecosystem integrity, improve natural habitats and reduce potential impacts arising from our operations.
Within our mining activities, our nature conservation plans cover a broad timeframe, from site selection through to closure. These plans aim to restore disturbed land to a condition compatible with its former state or to rehabilitate it for alternative post-mining land uses after operations have ceased. This approach is critical for reducing the impacts of land disturbance, supporting ecosystem integrity and contributing to the prevention of net deforestation.
We strengthen our biodiversity conservation efforts by working in collaboration with local and international environmental organizations, academia and local communities. We conduct our biodiversity conservation activities in alignment with international standards and frameworks, including those of the World Bank, the Equator Principles and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Although we do not yet have any fully reinstated quarry sites within our operational areas, we continuously monitor improvement, rehabilitation and monitoring processes across these locations.
As part of our sustainability vision, we recognize our responsibility towards nature and remain committed to advancing our efforts in this area. In this regard, we implement biodiversity management plans and related actions in the regions where our factories are located, in collaboration with third-party expert organizations.
Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs)
The pilot study initiated at our Balıkesir factory has now evolved into a corporate standard that guides all our operations:
• Balıkesir Pilot Study: As a result of field studies conducted with expert academics, we identified and recorded endemic species specific to the region and placed them under protection. The methodology developed in Balıkesir was successfully replicated across our other six factories. At all locations, endemic and rare species have been identified, and site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) have been carefully developed.
• Based on the action plans prepared, we continue to implement pilot conservation projects, employee trainings and local community awareness activities at our Balıkesir factory in collaboration with specialized partner organizations. These initiatives have been rolled out across all our cement factories and are currently progressing through implementation activities.
• Beyond conservation, we support natural regeneration in post-mining areas through rehabilitation, restoration and reforestation projects that are compatible with local ecosystems. Through our sustainable land-use principles, we contribute to the prevention of soil degradation, the protection of natural water resources and the reduction of potential deforestation impacts arising from our activities.
