GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  October 12, 2021

Top Cement Companies Unveil Roadmap to Decarbonization

Forty of the world’s top cement and concrete manufacturers came together Oct. 12 to affirm their collective commitment to reaching net-zero emissions in concrete production by 2050.

The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) accounts for 80% of the global production of cement and concrete (outside of China). If the industry’s net zero targets are met, it could mean preventing 5 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2030.

Member companies include names such as CEMEX, CNBM, CRH, HeidelbergCement, Holcim and Votorantim.

Together, the group released a roadmap to decarbonizing the industry, which is currently estimated to account for around 7% of global CO2 emissions. This seven-point plan includes reducing the amount of CO2-intensive clinker in cement, reducing fossil fuel use in manufacturing and accelerating the development of products and processes like carbon capture.

The GCCA is also advocating for governments and multilateral organizations to develop public policies and investments that would support the global transition, such as the development of technologies like carbon capture and storage or restructuring public works procurement policy to encourage the use of low-carbon cement and concrete products.

“Global cooperation on decarbonizing concrete is a necessity, as countries developing their infrastructure and housing will be the biggest users of concrete in the coming decades,” Thomas Guillot, GCCA chief executive, said in a statement. “I am proud of the commitment made by our members today to take decisive action and accelerate industry decarbonization between now and 2030, an important milestone towards the ultimate goal of net zero concrete. I envision a world in the not too distant future where the foundation of a sustainable, zero carbon global economy will literally be built with green concrete.”