[CemExec] Howard Klee, WBCSD (Part 2 of 2)

The CSI began working in China in 2001, and has had a number of constructive discussions over the years.  In the early years we worked with existing associations and institutes in China, rather than individual companies.  We have made recommendations via the China Council to the national Chinese government about eliminating the large number of small cement facilities in favor of larger, more efficient plants.

We have worked with the Chinese Cement Association and the China Building Materials Institute to help train a number of cement plant personnel on using the CSI CO2 Protocol for analyzing energy efficiency and CO2 emissions.  Today we see a much greater interest from China in addressing energy efficiency and climate change and in participating in international programs.  China is a key part of any sustainable solutions for the cement sector.

This summer we held detailed discussions with a number of Chinese companies that have expressed interest in joining the CSI.  IÔÇÖm pleased to report that one company has now applied for CSI membership.  Two more have confirmed their interest in joining, and we expect to hear soon from two others.

CW:  How do you ensure that members implement the actions agreed to by the CSI?

HK: The CSI is a voluntary organization, and individual companies join with the signature of their CEO on the CSI Charter. The Charter commits each member to a set of obligations within 4 years of joining. One of those obligations is to report publicly on progress in meeting the individual company targets they have set.  Most companies do this via their annual environmental or sustainability reports that are available in print or on web sites or both.

The CSI Secretariat in Geneva serves to remind members of these obligations and collects data annually on specific key performance indicators that each company has agreed to measure.  As part of our overall progress report in 2007, the Secretariat, at the request of the members, hired an outside auditing firm to check up and confirm that members were actually complying with their obligations.  The audit pointed out a few areas where there was some confusion in measuring or reporting, but by and large, provided a very good report on membership performance.

CW:  Sustainable Development being such an important topic, we are hapy to have had the opportunity to present your viewpoint over the past two CemExec features. We thank you very much for sharing these very interesting perspectives with the CemWeek readers.