Impact and dependencies assessment
The company assesses its impacts on nature at site level, using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) and the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) methodology to conduct the assessment. However, it can improve by also analysing its business model impact. Owens Corning does not disclose any assessment of its impacts on nature, including biodiversity, in its supply chain. Additionally, it does not disclose any assessment of its dependencies on nature within its own operations, nor those of its upstream business relationships.
Key areas and species
Owens Corning discloses the locations that are in or adjacent to areas important for biodiversity within its own operations. However, it does not disclose the locations of its suppliers that are in or adjacent to areas important for biodiversity. While the company discloses conducting an assessment regarding species that might be affected by its operations, it does not disclose species populations existing in or adjacent to its own locations or those of its suppliers. The company does not disclose the status according to national and international conservation lists of species identified in its own locations.
Ecosystem conversion and restoration
No evidence was found regarding the company’s efforts to avoid ecosystem conversion, including deforestation, or promoting restoration. Owens Corning has an opportunity to develop a strategy and publicly report on specific, time-bound targets. The company does not disclose a commitment to restore ecosystems. Nor does it disclose details and outcomes of ecosystem restoration projects in areas affected by its own operations or by its suppliers.
Resource exploitation and circularity
While Owens Corning discloses an overview of its inputs, including the amount of recycled materials used, it has an opportunity to disclose a detailed breakdown of its inputs. Additionally, it does not report quantitatively on its group-wide circularity performance. While the company discloses activities around grasslands in Ontario aimed at improving soil health or agrobiodiversity in its production or sourcing practices, it does not disclose an associated target.
Water
Owens Corning discloses its water withdrawal and reports an increase in its withdrawal. Although the company has a commitment to cut its water withdrawal in half, this only applies to water-stressed areas. The company has an opportunity to set a target for its own operations outside of water-stressed areas. The company reports how much water is withdrawn for its own operations in water-stressed areas. While the company discloses that it carries out stakeholder engagement regarding water management, these efforts do not translate into commitments. Additionally, Owens Corning does not report a decrease in water pollution, nor does it disclose its processes for managing and monitoring discharge water quality. Although it reports regularly on water pollution, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS), it does not disclose targets to reduce water pollution. The company does not disclose a commitment to respect the right to water, nor disclose its processes for implementing preventive and corrective action plans for identified specific risks to the right to water and sanitation in its own operations.
Solid and air pollution
While Owens Corning has a no-waste-to-landfill target for 2030, it does not report evidence regarding hazardous waste. No evidence was found that the company reduces plastic use and waste in its own operations. The company does not report on the amount of plastic waste generated and proportions directed from or to disposal. Nor does it report regularly on air quality parameters of emissions of harmful air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides.
Invasive species
The company has not identified any activities that could lead to the introduction of IAS in its own operations.