A new report published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) focuses on the availability of the latest technologies and the need to increase research and development that can help the cement industry mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions. In light of the Paris Agreement’s entry into force, the CSI initiated an in-depth review of its original papers from 2009 when the sector issued the first ever low-carbon technology roadmap in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The 2017 technology review is comprised of 52 individual papers on existing technologies for which the latest development and implementation status is reviewed, plus seven additional summary papers describing state-of-the-art and anticipated technological developments that can further enhance mitigation of CO₂ emissions in cement production. The report also includes an assessment of the level of possible implementation, the challenges and costs of these technologies in future scenarios for 2030 and 2050.
“The publication of these revised and new technical papers sets robust foundations for the overall exercise of updating our 2009 roadmap,” said Philippe Fonta, managing director of the CSI. “It is also a major step in the implementation of commitments made by the cement sector in Paris through the Cement Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) and it demonstrates that the business is more than ever focused on supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
The new technology papers will serve as an important reference document for development of low-carbon technology roadmaps for the cement sector, at global as well as regional or national levels. For instance, the CSI is currently working with IEA to update their joint global cement technology roadmap using these papers. Beyond quantification of the contribution of a portfolio of technologies and strategies to mitigate CO2 emissions from the sector in the least-cost low-carbon pathways, the roadmap will also identify the major opportunities, barriers and measures facing the industry, as well as financial partners and policy makers.
The CSI and IEA plan to share the initial results of the updated global technology roadmap for the cement sector at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany, in November.
