COP29: Global cement leaders call for urgent government action
Formal call for policymakers to increase support for cement and concrete industry’s net-zero mission
THE extensive decarbonization work being carried out by the global cement and concrete industry to cut CO2 emissions is set out in a newly published progress report, launched at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Three years on from the launch of its net-zero roadmap, the GCCA's 'Cement Industry Net Zero Progress Report 2024/25' highlights the leading role that companies across the world are playing in the decarbonization of the global cement and concrete industry.
The launch of the report includes a formal call to action from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and its members for governments and policymakers around the world to help the sector achieve its key decarbonization goals through implementing key enabling policies.
Fernando González, president of the GCCA and chief executive officer of Cemex, said: ‘Our industry is engaged in the most significant transformation in its history as we address the most pressing challenge our planet faces – climate change.
‘However, to fully unlock our decarbonization progress in this crucial decade to deliver, we urgently need effective policy support. When policymakers provide the right market conditions and policy enablers, significant CO2 reductions are achievable faster.’
The report calls for the urgent implementation of effective policies which promote the use of municipal and industrial waste as sustainable alternative fuels for cement kilns, as well as using construction demolition waste as recycled raw materials.
Other key policies include a change in building codes to encourage the wider adoption of blended cement and concrete products, as well as the establishment of market-driven national carbon pricing mechanisms that incentivize decarbonization and investment in clean innovation.
Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA, said: ‘This report shows several great examples of action that is already happening on the ground across the world, demonstrating that an acceleration of our decarbonization efforts is taking place today where enabling policies exist.
‘That is why it’s important that we are in Baku at COP29, calling on all policymakers, governments, and anyone with a stake in the built environment to urgently work with us on our net-zero mission.’
