WCA supports IDDI commitments at COP28
World Cement Association endorses global government action to accelerate cement industry decarbonization
THE World Cement Association (WCA) has endorsed global government efforts to advance low-carbon cement and concrete production, announced at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
The commitments made by Canada, Germany, the UK and the US, member countries of the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI), include adopting timebound commitments to procure low-emission cement and concrete. This pledge aligns with the WCA’s initiative to support a sustainable cement industry, encouraging technical development and innovation by its members to help achieve full decarbonization by 2050.
The collective commitment of IDDI members to leverage their considerable national purchasing power to drive demand for low- and near-zero emission materials is seen as a welcome pledge to accelerate the decarbonization efforts of heavy industries globally.
However, despite these commitments to addressing and mitigating the environmental challenges associated with industrial activities, a substantial gap exists in sustainable infrastructure financing for developing countries, requiring an estimated US$15 trillion by 2040. It is not currently clear how this gap will be bridged, with measures announced so far unlikely to have a significant impact.
The cement industry has reduced per-tonne emissions by 23% since 1990, with the majority of this reduction coming between 2000 and 2012. To meet 2050 net-zero goals, an acceleration of progress is needed, and with nearly 90% of cement produced in emerging economies, it is essential that this is a worldwide effort.
‘The World Cement Association has always emphasized the need for immediate and collaborative action between government and industry to make carbon-negative concrete a reality at scale. Creating demand for low-emission materials is essential for decarbonization. Now is the moment to work together to make necessary progress this decade,’ stressed WCA chief executive officer Ian Riley.
