Following a thorough validation procedure, HeidelbergCement’s carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets for 2030 have been successfully assessed against the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) criteria. This makes HeidelbergCement the first company in the cement sector, and one of about 200 companies worldwide, to have approved science-based targets.
Based on bottom-up measures at plant and product levels, the reduction strategy includes improving energy efficiency coupled with steadily increasing the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. To date, HeidelbergCement has achieved a reduction of 20% and is in a leading position when it comes to the development of new technologies for CO2 sequestration and use, e.g. by returning the CO2 into the material cycle of cement and concrete through recarbonation.
“Concrete has the potential to become the most sustainable building material,” said Dr. Bernd Scheifele, chairman of the managing board of HeidelbergCement. “Our goal is to realize the vision of CO2-neutral concrete by 2050 at the latest. In the coming years, we want to make significant progress in this direction, and the SBTi’s approval is a clear proof of our strong commitment.”
A Carbon Disclosure Project, United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature collaboration, SBTi independently audits corporate CO2 emissions reduction targets mirroring 2015 Paris Agreement goals. Paris signatories aim to limit global temperature increases this century to 1.5 C through aggressive GHG emissions management.
