Environmental solutions provider ClimeCo recently leveraged its industrial and methodology expertise to lead the development of Climate Action Reserve’s (CAR) new U.S. Low-Carbon Cement Protocol.
The protocol establishes a first-of-its-kind pathway to generate voluntary carbon credits from the production of novel and underutilized alternative cementitious materials (ACMs) and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Funds generated by these credits will be used to incentivize the production and scaled use of innovative, less carbon-intensive materials to meet growing demand, reduce emissions and help enable exponential positive change.
Over the course of more than 18 months, ClimeCo worked closely with numerous stakeholders, including Heidelberg Materials and the Portland Cement Association, to create, seek comment and refine this important effort. Dedicated to transparency and genuine impact, the partners worked to ensure that the protocol follows strict rules on additionality, permanence, ownership and quantification in generating and awarding offsets.
To earn credits, manufacturers must produce usable materials that are widely recognized as beyond business-as-usual and surpass regulatory requirements. Eligible components include natural pozzolans, calcined clay, rice husk ash, and harvested and beneficiated coal ash, which has the added benefit of cleaning landfills.
“While demand for cement has never been higher, it remains an exceptionally difficult-to-abate industry,” said ClimeCo President and CEO Bill Flederbach. “This new protocol demonstrates the power of credible, validated and science-based voluntary carbon credits in greatly accelerating the pace and adoption of environmental reforms. It also confirms ClimeCo’s belief that by engaging the right partners and taking a holistic approach, EVERY industry and EVERY company, even those facing the biggest challenges, can make a huge difference. Time is of the essence, and ClimeCo is proud to be leading the way toward a brighter future.”
