New Low Carbon Ratings system for Cement and Concrete
World’s first lobal system aims to incentivise procurement of more sustainable building materials
THE Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) for Cement and Concrete – a first-of-its-kind transparent global rating system that will enable cement and concrete to be identified based on their carbon footprints. The ratings system is designed to help customers prioritize sustainability when selecting construction materials by using a clear and intuitive AA to G scale.
Inspired by well-known appraising schemes such as the EU’s Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home Energy Rating System, the LCR offers a simple, transparent, and adaptable tool that will help builders, architects, governments, planners, and consumers everywhere in the world to make more informed and sustainable choices.
Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA, said: ‘Cement and concrete are the foundations of modern life. As global demand for sustainable construction grows, the need for greater transparency around the carbon footprint of construction materials is more critical than ever. Our Low Carbon Ratings system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will empower the entire value chain to accelerate decarbonisation.’
The ratings system is designed to be easily recognizable – with a simple visual graphic that clearly indicates a product’s rating. The carbon rating system for cement and concrete provides consistency and comparability. Countries can adopt the global ratings as they are, or adapt them if local carbon accounting differs from global norms.
With notable construction projects already demonstrating the use of lower-carbon cement and concrete, the industry is making important progress. The launch of this global rating system marks another milestone on the road to greater sustainability.
Marlène Dance, decarbonization and sustainable design expert at Bouygues Bâtiment International, said: ‘We believe a globally consistent carbon rating system – adopted by all countries and used by all concrete suppliers – would be a game changer. We see great value in a simple, user-friendly tool, tailored for construction teams. It will help empower our site crews to better understand and manage the carbon footprint of the concrete they use.’
Mr Guillot added: ‘With this rating system in place, governments, policymakers and the private sector can now prioritize lower-carbon cement and concrete in the procurement process, which will, in turn, further stimulate the industry’s focus on decarbonizing these essential building materials.’
