Ecosystems Position Statement

Linde’s Position Statement on the Importance of Ecosystems

Biodiversity
Linde’s approach is to avoid operations near protected areas.  In fact, because most of Linde’s sites are located in industrial areas, protected areas are not typically within close proximity to the facilities.  If periodic surveillance finds site(s) within close proximity of a protected area, Linde will work to understand possible impacts and to minimize, restore, and/or offset, as appropriate, working with local stakeholders. 

Because sites recognized as important to biodiversity may change over time, Linde periodically conducts a surveillance of the locations of its global industrial gas production facilities and their proximity to protected areas, based on data provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  This surveillance is conducted at least every three years. 

Deforestation and Tree Planting 
Because most of Linde’s sites are located in industrial areas, deforestation is not a material issue for Linde.  Even so, Linde is committed to the importance that trees provide to communities and landscapes, including positive impact on neighborhoods, impacts on air quality, and mitigation of soil erosion.  As such, Linde has been engaged in positive efforts to support tree planting for many years. 

Compliance, Activities, Goals and Monitoring
Linde is committed to compliance with local foresting regulations and mandatory standards. Linde monitors deforestation practices as a part of its due diligence in executing projects. Linde’s approach is to avoid deforestation. In practice, the majority of Linde’s plants are located in existing industrial areas and plant builds and expansions do not typically require significant deforestation, if any. When deforestation is deemed necessary, Linde is committed to engage with suppliers and/or other organizations to manage and mitigate deforestation risks and to compensate for loss and offset, as in through planting projects.

Reporting
Linde addresses biodiversity aspects and reports progress on tree planting in its annual Sustainable Development Report, found in the company’s SD Reporting Center.  

Stakeholder Engagement
Even in cases where there is no negative impact, Linde teams welcome opportunities to work with community stakeholders and does so through community engagement efforts, including cleanups, gardening programs, and tree planting projects, which provide both social and environmental benefits.  Collaborating organizations include those with local, national and international scope, and more information on specific collaborations is included in the annual community engagement brochure and annual sustainable development report.