The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the Build With Strength initiative recently announced they have joined a global consortium of ready-mixed concrete and cement trade associations committed to a net-zero carbon emission industry by 2050.
The NRMCA announcement – part of the Global Cement and Concrete Association’s (GCCA) 2050 Cement & Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero event – parallels the release by the Portland Cement Association’s (PCA) release its long-awaited Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, an ambitious plan to reach carbon neutrality across the cement and concrete value chain also by 2050.
The collective commitment of these powerful cement and concrete organizations to achieve a decarbonized industry and to net-zero concrete will have an enormous impact on reducing the carbon footprint of the global built environment.
“NRMCA stands with the GCCA and our sister association in the United States, the Portland Cement Association (PCA), in its effort to reach net-zero by 2050,” said association President Mike Philipps. “ We have a responsibility as an industry to address our impact on the environment and this type of collaboration with key stakeholders and policymakers brings us even closer to achieving our goals,” he added.
The move by these three associations represents the biggest global commitment by the cement and concrete industry to net-zero so far – bringing together companies from the Americas, Africa and Asia, including India, China and Europe.
Concrete is the most used human-made material on the planet with 14 billion cubic meters produced each year for use in everything from roads to bridges, tunnels to homes, and hydropower installations to flood protection systems.
No other building material equaling concrete’s resilience, strength, and widespread availability. However, cement and concrete are often cited as major sources of carbon emissions.
The new 2050 commitment by the global cement and concrete industries represents a significant acceleration in the pace of decarbonization of the sector.
Innovations along with the entire value chain of the cement and concrete industries can address climate change, decrease GHGs and eliminate barriers that are restricting environmental progress.
he main areas of opportunity include clinker, cement, concrete, construction and carbonation by using concrete as a carbon sink.
As was noted by the PCA in its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, each phase of the value chain is integral to reaching the goal and can unlock unique and specific pathways to carbon neutrality, including actions such as reducing CO2 from the manufacturing process, decreasing combustion emissions by changing fuel sources and shifting toward increased use of renewable electricity.
“We also understand the unequivocal value external collaborators have in implementing and moving sustainable solutions forward, and we are committed to working alongside government, science and technology leaders to bring our Roadmap to life,” said Ron Henley, President of GCC of America.
These innovations offer a portfolio of reduction strategies and immediate opportunities across the various phases of the built environment from production at the cement plant, to construction including designing and building, and to everyday infrastructure in use.
Improving the properties of concrete as a sustainable, durable, and resilient building material will help to address the needs of a growing and increasingly urban population that is set to exceed 9 billion people by 2050.
More information on the road maps can be found for GCCA here and PCA here. To learn more about the NRMCA, visit https://www.nrmca.org/.
About the Northwest Cement Council – The members of the Northwest Cement Council operate clinker and cement manufacturing facilities, granulating facilities and cement terminals across the country. They provide a reliable supply of cement required to build communities and critical infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest.
Our members include CalPortland Ash Grove Cement Lehigh Hanson LafargeHolcim United States.
Together we promote, protect and advocate the use of cement and concrete solutions in resilient, economical and environmentally responsible construction in the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest Cement Council is based in Portland, Oregon. Find out more about how we can help to support and serve you.
