CEMBUREAU announces industry intention to align with the European Green Deal objectives
Brussels, 15/01/2020 – CEMBUREAU, the Association of the European cement industry, has today announced its intention to make a decisive contribution to the Green Deal by striving for carbon neutrality along the cement and concrete value chain by 2050.
To that effect, CEMBUREAU will undertake a review of the targets set out in its 2050 Low Carbon Roadmap (2013/2018) in order to align the industry’s efforts with the carbon neutrality objectives contained in the European Green Deal published last month. Following this reassessment, the industry will publish a revised low-carbon roadmap setting out the key role of cement and concrete in the circular economy and a path to achieving carbon neutrality along its value chain in Europe by 2050. CEMBUREAU expects the revised Roadmap to be published early Spring 2020.
Raoul de Parisot, CEMBUREAU President, said: “As an industry we are determined to ensure that we play our part in helping Europe to meet its emissions reduction targets. With concrete, our industry has a sustainable building material that is uniquely positioned as an essential enabler of the transition to a carbon neutral society. The sustainability benefits of concrete as a locally manufactured product, including its durability, thermal mass, recyclability, and its carbon uptake, make it the building material of choice for the construction of the sustainable buildings and infrastructure needed to address the challenges posed by climate change.”
Koen Coppenholle, CEMBUREAU Chief Executive, added “Our revised low-carbon roadmap will be aligned with the Green Deal ambition of a carbon neutral Europe, looking at all actions and policy levers needed to achieve carbon neutrality along the cement and concrete value chain. It is already clear that the forward-looking policies of our industry on innovation, waste, CO2 transportation networks, access to affordable energy and sustainable construction will play a leading role.”
Significant progress has already been made by the industry in Europe to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Through a continued focus on innovation, a competitive cement industry will remain anchored in Europe’s economy. In the coming months, we look forward to engaging constructively with policymakers and stakeholders along the value chain to further the objectives set forth by the Green Deal.
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About CEMBUREAU
The European Cement Association based in Brussels is the representative organisation of the cement industry in Europe. Currently, its Full Members are the national cement industry associations and cement companies of the European Union (except for Malta and Slovakia) plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. Croatia and Serbia are Associate Members of CEMBUREAU. A cooperation agreement has been concluded with Vassiliko Cement in Cyprus and with the Cement Association of Ukraine. For more information please visit our website.
About the European cement industry
A key economic actor, the European cement industry directly employs over 35,000 persons in the EU, whilst the combined cement and concrete industry generates a total value added of €56bn in the EU28 and generates over 1.1 million jobs.
Through continuous investment, innovation and modernisation, CO2 emissions in the sector have been reduced by 15% since 1990. It is on track to achieve the goal of reducing its CO2 emissions intensity by 80% by 2050 using conventional and breakthrough technologies. CEMBUREAU’s low-carbon roadmap will be updated in the coming months.
The vast majority of cement is used as a binder in concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement (10% -15%), water (15%-20%) and aggregates (65%-75%). Concrete is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality of the built environment in Europe. Be it the foundations and towers of wind turbines, large hydro or tidal power projects, energy efficient buildings, new transport infrastructure or projects aiming at adapting to climate change, concrete delivers performance, resilience and durability.
Through its 5 C approach, launched in 2018, which spans the key elements of the sector’s value chain (clinker-cement-concrete-construction-carbonation), CEMBUREAU has set out the emission reduction potential in each of the 5 C components.
For more information please visit our low-carbon economy website.
Media enquiries should be directed to:
Joseph Meaden
Communications Manager
j.meaden@cembureau.eu