LafargeHolcim CEO Jan Jenisch has joined the Call to Action for Business Leadership on Human Rights by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Leaders who join the initiative commit to making human rights more than just a risk and compliance issue for their companies – they will actively promote them as part of their company’s commitment to social responsibility.
“I hope that by giving my personal commitment to this Call to Action we can highlight the importance of this topic for LafargeHolcim,” said Jenisch, who is also a member of WBCSD’s executive committee. “We have always strived to be a valued member of the communities where we live and work and a model corporate citizen on a global level. Standing up as a promoter of human rights shall further advance these goals.”
LafargeHolcim’s approach to managing human rights is fully aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which establish guidelines for preventing, addressing and remedying infringements of human rights. Over the last five years, LafargeHolcim has invested CHF 240 million in community projects. In 2019, 6 million people benefitted from these investments.
The Call to Action is part of WBCSD´s CEO Guide to Human Rights, which was released in June 2019, and summarizes a set of principles and actions for CEOs to ensure that their companies effectively advance on defending and respecting human rights, boosting positive changes in the lives of the people and communities around which they operate.
Peter Bakker, president and CEO of WBCSD: “The Guide presents a bold unprecedented declaration by company leaders, whose companies’ actions and policies influence vast global supply chains. We are very happy to see Jan Jenisch from LafargeHolcim personally endorse our global initiative to promote human rights in business and we are convinced that his leadership will inspire other CEOs to support this critical cause for a fairer and more sustainable world.”
