U.S. Cement Industry Sets Goal for Carbon Neutrality  

In last week’s column about shifting from combustible wood-frame home construction to fire-resistant concrete home construction, I reported that an Australian company has developed a “green” concrete which reduces the large carbon footprint of traditional concrete made from Portland cement. Concrete manufacture and deployment reportedly is responsible for 8% of global CO₂ emissions.

A reader shared with me information about the Portland Cement Association’s release of its “Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality” in October 2021, suggesting that the industry is aware of its carbon footprint and wants to reduce it.

Here’s an excerpt from a press release published online:

“The PCA roadmap involves the entire value chain, starting at the cement plant and extending through the entire life cycle of the built environment to incorporate the circular economy. It recognizes five main areas of opportunity: clinker, cement, concrete, construction and carbonation (using concrete as a carbon sink). 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.

“The association is committed to gathering a coalition of industry experts, researchers, policymakers and companies along the value chain to make the roadmap a reality. ‘PCA is actively engaging with organizations beyond the industry to bring the right people to the table to accelerate and advance solutions to reach carbon neutrality,’ said Massimo Toso, PCA climate and sustainability council co-chair, and president and CEO of Buzzi Unicem USA.