Better Health for All

The company's products contain respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which can cause long-term health issues.

However, in 2024, $14.6 billion in revenue came from products with enhanced sustainability attributes that support public health by reducing pollutants. Since 2000, the company has incurred over $34 million in penalties for environment-related offenses, primarily air pollution, which can adversely affect public health. The company is committed to reducing air emissions, achieved 2020 targets for NOx and dust, and invests in abatement technologies. It also provides permeable paving systems that reduce flood risks and associated health hazards. The company has a $15 million five-year partnership with UNICEF to train health workers within supported communities in fragile and conflict-affected countries. It provides mental health support services for employees, including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for employees and their immediate families. A subsidiary, Tarmac, is a Business Champion of 'Mates in Mind', a charity encouraging mental health discussion in the construction industry, and RiverBend Materials created a Mental Health Task Force.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

In 2023, there were 37 proven incidents resulting in disciplinary action

and 27 instances of discrimination reported. In 2024, 48 closed hotline investigations led to disciplinary action. Despite this, CRH reported zero cases of forced or compulsory labor and no reports of child labor in both 2023 and 2024. The CEO to median employee pay ratio was 289:1 in 2021. The lost time incident rate was 0.22 per 200,000 work hours globally in 2024, although five fatalities were recorded in the same year. In 2023, 100% of the 57% of employees who participated in formal employee engagement surveys scored in the 'engaged' or higher categories. Approximately 19% of employees were members of trade unions in 2024. The voluntary employee turnover rate was 24% in 2023.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

CRH mandates that all suppliers adhere to its Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) as a precondition for engagement

and integrates these requirements into standard contract clauses . Non-compliance can lead to exclusion from tendering or contract termination . The company reported zero cases of forced or compulsory labor and no employees or contractors under the legal working age in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 . Corrective Action Plans are completed within eight weeks (56 days) . Human rights assessments are conducted annually as part of CRH's Health and Safety, Environment and Social Reviews , and annual procedures ensure SCoC compliance acknowledgment from suppliers .

Honest & Fair Business

CRH incurred a €26 million fine for price-fixing activities by a subsidiary in Poland within the past three years.

Transparency International Ireland recently scored CRH 60% for its public commitment against corruption. The company maintains a comprehensive Code of Business Conduct (CoBC), updated in March 2025, which emphasizes zero tolerance for bribery, corruption, and fraud. This is supported by regular employee training and a Supplier Code of Conduct that extends these standards throughout the supply chain. CRH also operates a 'Speak Up' policy with a confidential whistleblowing hotline, allowing for anonymous reporting. The company commits to proper investigation of concerns and explicitly states zero tolerance for retaliation against those who report in good faith.

Kind to Animals

CRH demonstrates significant wildlife conservation efforts, with 95% of its locations in sensitive areas having Biodiversity Management Plans in place in 2024.

The company reclaimed 465 hectares of extracted areas in 2024 and has planted 1 million trees since 2019. Approximately 1,232 hectares of land are managed for wildlife across 18 Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) certified programs. Specific initiatives include creating wetlands for the endangered Jefferson salamander, which has successfully bred, transforming a 122-hectare quarry into a habitat attracting 60 bird species including the rare bittern, and establishing habitats for Monarch butterflies. The company also supports the rehabilitation of Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover populations and safeguards the moor frog. However, CRH incurred $222,000 in environmental fines in 2024, and historically paid over $34.8 million for air pollution between 2000-2025, indicating ongoing environmental impacts that can indirectly affect wildlife.

No War, No Weapons

CRH no longer has any businesses involved in conflict minerals following a 2022 divestiture, and has a comprehensive compliance program including annual group-wide supply chain assessments to ensure conflict minerals are absent from its supply chain.

The company upholds the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is a signatory to the UN Global Compact, issuing annual Modern Slavery Statements. CRH requires suppliers of conflict minerals to complete annual surveys on country of origin and can terminate contracts for violations, representing formal annual partner reviews with divestment of top-risk ties. CRH plc places business ethics and sustainability at the forefront of supplier interactions, expecting adherence to human rights, and Tarmac (CRH Europe) was verified under BES 6002 Ethical Labour Sourcing in 2023, indicating adherence to enhanced humanitarian procurement standards.

Planet-Friendly Business

CRH has an SBTi-validated target to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, using 2021 as the base year, which is aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory.

The company achieved a 4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions in 2024. , with absolute emissions decreasing to 29.7 million tonnes from 31.0 million tonnes in 2023. In 2023, Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced by 8% from 33.6 million tonnes in 2022 to 31.0 million tonnes. CRH is investing approximately $150 million annually in technologies and operational improvements to reduce CO₂ emissions. , including a strategic agreement with Caterpillar to deploy electric off-road vehicles. In 2023, €95 million was allocated to low-carbon product development, resulting in 28% of the product range being low-carbon. Energy efficiency improvements led to a 6.7% reduction in energy consumption per tonne of product. The company recycled 44.7 million tonnes of by-products and wastes in 2024, up from 43.9 million tonnes in 2023, positioning it as the largest recycler in North America. In 2024, 49% of product revenues came from products with enhanced sustainability attributes. CRH received an "A" score from CDP for its climate disclosures in 2023.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

CRH reports no cultural appropriation incidents.

The company employs 97% of its workforce from local communities. CRH actively protects cultural heritage, with 76 company locations preserving cultural heritage, and its subsidiary Tarmac gifted the Thornborough Henges complex to Historic England in 2023.

Safe & Smart Tech

CRH has not been subject to a cyber-attack with a material impact on operations or financial results as of August 25, 2025

, and no substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy or data loss were reported in 2024. The company successfully prevented attempted breaches in September 2021. CRH integrates AI in human resource management, implementing human oversight, regular audits of AI systems, and candidate privacy protection, while emphasizing transparency and allowing opt-in for AI-modulated processes. The company conducts regular audits of AI systems used in HR. CRH does not sell or provide personal information to non-affiliate third parties for promotional purposes and will not share personal information without user permission, except as necessary. Users have comprehensive rights over their personal data, including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability, objection, and withdrawal of consent , with specific rights for California residents , and can manage cookie preferences. CRH collects personal information through its website only when voluntarily provided and shares the minimum amount necessary with third parties. However, in 2024, 0 employees were recorded as having been trained in the Code of Business Conduct , and 0 employees received Advanced Compliance Training. Additionally, CRH paid $222,000 in fines to regulatory authorities in 2024 , indicating compliance gaps despite stating adherence to various regulations like CCPA and GDPR.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

CRH PLC recycled 44 million tonnes of waste in 2024.

The company reduced virgin material use by 9% in 2023, indicating a 9% recycled content in its products. CRH has implemented several waste reduction initiatives, including the launch of a sustainable building materials accelerator, investment in Carbon Upcycling Technologies to use industrial byproducts, and the development of products like Duralite (recycled plastic-based) and MoistureShield Elevate™ decking (95% recycled materials). CRH also demonstrates a commitment to circular design, evidenced by achieving Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver level for various precast concrete products in 2022.