GCCA launches Sustainability Guidelines

New global association makes progress on cement and concrete’s environmental leadership

THE Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), which represents cement and concrete producers from around the world, has published its first six Sustainability Guidelines.

The six guidelines include a number of simple, reliable and representative KPIs against which full member companies must monitor and report on their sustainability performance across a number of key activities.

The guidelines include monitoring and reporting of: CO2 emissions and other emissions from cement manufacturing; the co-processing of fuels and materials; safety; and water usage.

GCCA cement director Claude Lorea (pictured) said: ‘The Sustainability Guidelines are important as they provide industry and stakeholders with a means to document and improve the sustainability performance of the global cement and concrete sectors against the GCCA Sustainability Charter.

‘Signing up to the guidelines emphasizes the cement and concrete sector’s commitment to sustainable development, including its critical work to reduce global CO2 emissions.’

To achieve the extended compliance, full GCCA members will have their data and targets verified and reported publicly. The GCCA intends to communicate data publicly in a consolidated format.

The GCCA last month published a Sustainability Charter, which sets out five key pillars that encompass the sustainability spectrum of the cement and concrete sector.

Claude Lorea added: ‘It’s great to launch the first six of our Sustainability Guidelines immediately after the completion of COP24. You might say the Guidelines are our rulebook!

‘The sector is determined to keep up the momentum and demonstrate leadership in sustainability – that is what our GCCA members are committed to and these guidelines will help ensure that we keep on track.’

The GCCA is working towards global membership that will represent 50% of world cement production.