To fill the current gap in low-carbon cement and concrete guidance, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and professionals across the cement-concrete-construction value chain have developed a new resource.
The Lower Carbon Concrete: Voluntary Guidelines for Developing a Protocol provides a critical resource for design professionals, contractors, code officials, elected representatives, non-governmental organizations, and the public. A protocol developed with the approach outlined in the document is intended to lower the carbon of a concrete project without sacrificing long-term performance characteristics, including resilience.
“The definition of ‘low carbon’ is becoming increasingly subjective, with little attention paid to either upstream and downstream impacts or short-term and long-term strength, durability, and resiliency concerns,” said Mike Ireland, PCA president and chief executive officer. “PCA is leading this effort as part of its ongoing commitment to achieve carbon neutrality.”
Rick Bohan, PCA senior vice president of sustainability, added, “Today’s climate – bringing the severest weather systems our planet has ever experienced – demands cement manufacturers stay the course in efforts to decarbonize the industry. The best catalysts to reach net zero that are at hand today are alternative fuels and lower-carbon cements. These guidelines should serve as a go-to resource for professionals in the cement, concrete, and construction industries aiming to provide more resilient and sustainable materials.”
