Our Policy
We contribute to a nature positive world through our biodiversity programmes and sustainable water management
Headline KPIs
Biodiversity
- Each active quarry to designate 15% of space for nature by 2030.
- Each active quarry to have a biodiversity management plan by 2025.
Water
- Implement water management plans and water recycling systems at all sites in water risk areas.
Enabling and supporting KPIs
Biodiversity
- Reclamation plans in all quarries that comply with HM guidelines.
- Net impact assessment for all active quarries by 2025.
- All operational sites within 1 km of a protected area to implement a biodiversity management plan.
Water
- 10% reduction in freshwater consumption from a 2020 baseline.
Our Progress
Click to expand
| Our commitments | Our progress |
| Each active quarry to designate 15% of its space for nature by 2030 | A space for nature assessment has been carried out at all our active quarries. All are on target to have at least 15% of their space designated for nature by 2030. |
| Each active quarry to have a biodiversity management plan (BMP) by 2025 | All our active quarries have a BMP. |
| Reclamation plans in all quarries that comply with Heidelberg Materials guidelines | All our active quarries have reclamation plans that comply with UK permitting requirements and are working towards compliance with Heidelberg Materials Group guidelines at the earliest opportunity. |
| Net impact assessments for all active quarries by 2025 | Net impact assessments have been completed at all our active quarries. |
| All operational sites within 1 km of a protected area to have a BMP | All active quarries have a BMP. Of our non-extractive production and processing sites within 1 km of a protected area, 16 have BMPs; four of which were completed in 2025. We are on target to complete the outstanding BMPs at non-extractive sites by 2030. |
| Proximity study undertaken by Heidelberg Materials Group every three years | The next proximity study will be carried out by Heidelberg Materials Group in 2026. |
| 100% of operational sites in water-risk areas to have water management plans | 62 of our sites have water management plans, an increase of 19 compared with 2024. |
| 100% of operational sites in water-risk areas to implement rainwater harvesting and/or water recycling systems | 129 of our sites have water recycling systems. |
| Accurate monthly water data submitted | We continued to focus on improving the quality and consistency of monthly water data reporting across the business. Enhanced processes and increased engagement with sites are supporting more reliable submissions and improving data quality. |
| 10% reduction in freshwater consumption from a 2018 baseline | Mains water consumption was 19 litres per tonne in 2025. We are working with Waterscan, a specialist in water efficiency, to improve data accuracy, detect leaks and strengthen reporting for future years. |
Footnote: Data contained within this report includes A1 Services (now Heidelberg Materials Agecroft) but excludes Mick George Limited and B&A Group.
Nature positive in action
UK Quarry Life Award winners announced
The 2025 UK winners of the Quarry Life Award demonstrated how research and community action can support biodiversity at quarry sites. Dr Carly Stevens from Lancaster University won the research category for work at Horton quarry exploring how different grazing seasons affect rare limestone pavement habitats.
The community category was won by Axe Valley Men’s Shed, working with the Somerset Earth Science Centre, for building a bug hotel from recycled materials to create an insect habitat at Batts Combe quarry in Cheddar. Both projects progressed to the international stage of the competition.
Supporting dormice conservation
Batts Combe quarry is working with Somerset Wildlife Trust and local partners to improve woodland and landscape management in the Mendip Hills. Targeted tree coppicing and habitat management are creating better nesting and foraging conditions for dormice and other wildlife, supporting a more resilient landscape.
Recognising restoration and biodiversity work
Our land and mineral resources team received awards at the Mineral Products Association’s Restoration and Biodiversity Awards, including the Planned Restoration and Landscape Scale Biodiversity Award titles.
Principal Landscape Architect David Southgate also received the Butterfield Trophy for his contribution to biodiversity over more than 38 years.
