Launched by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) on behalf of its member companies, the “2050 Climate Ambition” statement demonstrates the commitment of the industry to drive down the carbon dioxide footprint of the world’s most used man-made product.
“The 2050 Climate Ambition represents our industry’s commitment to further reducing emissions and ensuring that the vital product we provide can be delivered on a carbon neutral basis by 2050,” said GCCA President and CRH Plc Chief Executive Albert Manifold. “There is a significant challenge involved in doing so and achieving alignment across our industry on a sustainable way forward is an important first step. We cannot however succeed alone and in launching our ambition statement we are also highlighting the need for our industry to work collaboratively with other stakeholders in support of our ambition for a more sustainable future.”
The statement identifies the essential levers that will be required to achieving carbon neutral concrete, including:
- Reducing and eliminating energy-related emissions.
- Reducing process emissions through new technologies and deployment of carbon capture.
- More efficient use of concrete.
- Reuse and recycling of concrete and buildings.
- Harnessing concrete’s ability to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere.
The climate ambition builds on the longstanding climate commitments and sustainability progress of GCCA member companies and affiliate associations across the world, setting out a global vision for the long-term sustainability of concrete. Member companies are currently developing a 2050 Concrete Roadmap, which will set out the detailed actions and milestones that the industry will enact in order to achieve its ambition. This will include working across the built environment value chain to deliver the vision of carbon neutral concrete in a circular economy, whole life context. The 2050 Concrete Roadmap is due to be published in the second half of 2021
