Concrete Corner Cast Project
Concrete Association announced a global
various trials showing the
climate ambition to drive down the carbon
technology works and there are
footprint of their operations and products to
several live projects in North
provide carbon neutral concrete by 2050.
America, China and Europe.
This represents a critical milestone for
Research and innovation
the industry. It is the first time it has come
will clearly be key – our
together globally to state a collective
Innovandi Research network
ambition for a carbon neutral future, and we
is bringing together academia
are fully committed to working right across
and industry from around
the built environment value chain to deliver
the world to collaborate to
this aspiration in a circular economy, whole
accelerate the development
life context.
of crucial solutions. Innovandi brings together more than
2050 Roadmap to a carbon neutral future
30 companies from across
Work is well underway to develop a 2050
industry and supply chain –
Roadmap, which will set out the pathway
manufacturers, admixture
and milestones necessary to achieving
specialists, and equipment and
our ambition. Producing a Roadmap is a
technology suppliers – along
significant and complex undertaking, and
with 40 renowned scientific
we will be among the first industries to do
institutions from across the world.
the cement and concrete
so when we complete ours at the end of the year. Our Roadmap will outline all the levers
transparently measure all carbon emissions of all potential building materials’ emissions
Cross-sector collaboration We know we won’t achieve carbon neutral
throughout their lifecycle. We believe concrete is already a highly
across the entire value chain that will be
concrete or build a net zero economy
sustainable building material across its
required to reach our goal of carbon neutral
alone – such a wide-reaching material that
lifetime and with our ambition to make
concrete. In cement manufacture, this
touches all corners of society requires
it carbon neutral, we are certain it has a
includes the ingredients, kiln technology,
input at multiple levels. We want to work
defining role in building the sustainable world
new binders and reducing fossil fuel use at
actively and closely across industry, with
of tomorrow.
every stage. In the use of concrete, we need
policymakers, investors, designers, end
to look at how we unlock its performance
users and governments to help shape the
that will help us build both the marvels and
benefits such as its thermal mass, ability to
transformation.
the practical essentials of the future, to
act as a carbon sink, and also how we design
This includes calling for a level-playing
The industry is making bold changes today
make them stand stronger and last longer
buildings that maximize its efficiencies,
field in building material assessment. We
and ensure that they’re worthy of the world
minimize waste and build in the ability to re-
believe it is important to accurately and
they’ll represent.
use concrete, or where necessary recycle it. Recycling and reusing material from demolition sites will play an increasingly important role – concrete’s recyclability is one of its great sustainability benefits, but this means shifting perceptions to see concrete and cement not only as products to be produced, but as crucial components in a circular economy with a broader life-cycle context. The adoption of policies and practices that encourage the circular economy, particularly recycling of construction materials, should not be contentious and would be eagerly supported by the industry. As a final measure towards carbon neutrality, some CO2 will need to be captured, re-used if possible, or stored as a last resort – (CCUS). The industry is well on its way with
Dr Andrew Minson is Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director at the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). The GCCA is the trusted, authoritative platform and voice for the cement and concrete sector across the world. Dr Minson leads GCCA’s work promoting the sustainability value of concrete in the future of construction. This includes improving understanding of concrete’s lifecycle and its role in the circular economy. He also leads work with industry partners developing new global sustainability guidelines for concrete. Andrew is a member of the GCCA executive team. https://gccassociation.org/climate-ambition/
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