Cemex to receive environmental award

The World Environment Center’s 18th Annual WEC Gold Medal for International Corporate Environmental Achievement has been awarded to Cemex, one of the largest cement companies in the world. The WEC Gold Medal is awarded by an independent jury of international environmental experts to a corporation that demonstrates preeminent industry leadership and contributes to worldwide environmental quality.

The award will be presented at a formal gala on May 17, 2002 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Lorenzo H. Zambrano, chairman and CEO of Cemex, will accept the award on behalf of 25,000 employees in 33 countries and in recognition of the company’s global leadership in sustainable development. Cemex owns Alsons Cement, one of the major cement companies in the Philippines.

"At Cemex, we are building a better future by using the most advanced technologies and eco-efficient processes. As a global company, we are fully committed to the protection of the environment, and we will continue to join forces with governments, renowned NGO’s and communities to safeguard nature and promote a deeper ecological culture around the world," expressed Zambrano.

The Jury cited Cemex for developing a formal strategy for environmental policy and sustainable growth. This environmental management system (EMS) policy, established in 1993, and updated in 1997 and 2000, defines clear corporate guidelines to make all of its employees, suppliers, customers and shareholders aware of the importance and value of protecting natural resources, and is endorsed by the board of directors and CEO/chairman to ensure implementation throughout the company and its worldwide operations.

Cemex has made a commitment to employing cutting-edge technology in its operational processes in order to assure energy and materials-efficiency, to promote an environmental culture with all constituencies, and to use the most effective equipment and systems to protect its employees, neighboring communities, facilities and the environment. As a result, Cemex plants not only comply with but also exceed all environmental regulations.

"Cemex places a strong emphasis on social responsibility and conducts an array of significant programs in community outreach, habitat conservation and environmental stewardship as well as a number of far reaching social programs, including disaster relief, solid waste disposal, infrastructure improvements, environmental awareness and a variety of community health projects in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa," notes Dr. Joel Abrams, Professor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh, chairman of the jury.

The Signature Contribution on which the Jury based its award decision is the creation by Cemex of a comprehensive array of achievements, which demonstrate superiority in the areas of policy, implementation and leadership, guided by a philosophy and operational goal the company refers to as En Armonia con la Naturaleza, a Spanish phrase meaing "In Harmony with Nature." This philosophy has been translated into specific actions in the form of a world-class eco-efficiency program, international environmental education and significant socially responsible outreach effort, applying a global approach to setting and meeting strong company-wide environmental standards, and achieving balance throughout its worldwide operations. Cemex designed and implemented all of these environmental systems and improvements while experiencing consistent levels of growth through geographic diversification, becoming a global corporation with operations in 33 countries. All of these accomplishments taken together have set a standard for the cement industry and for industry in general and will serve as a seminal example for responsible growth and sustainable development worldwide.