The Portland Cement Association (PCA), the leading association representing cement manufacturers in the United States, today announced an industry-wide ambition to reduce carbon emissions and further address the impacts of climate change. As PCA members continue to drive down the carbon intensity of their operations and products, PCA will develop a roadmap by the end of 2021 to facilitate its member companies achieving carbon neutrality across the concrete value chain by 2050.
Industries, environmental groups and local governments across the U.S. are increasingly working to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future, and this roadmap positions the cement and concrete industry as the leader in the construction sector in delivering cleaner and greener infrastructure across the country.
“Our industry is committed to addressing climate change and supporting a sustainable circular economy. With this ambition, the cement industry will be a leader within the construction industry in preparing the build environment to reach carbon neutrality across the concrete value chain.”
Ron Henley, President of GCC of America
Concrete provides energy efficiency and lower life-cycle costs, is long lasting, durable and stands up against and provides resilience following natural and man-made disasters. By continuing to drive down emissions and striving for carbon neutrality, cement manufacturers are expanding the positive impact that concrete has on our communities.
Concrete provides energy efficiency and lower life-cycle costs, is long lasting, durable and stands up against and provides resilience following natural and man-made disasters. By continuing to drive down emissions and striving for carbon neutrality, cement manufacturers are expanding the positive impact that concrete has on our communities.
Concrete is critical to building a sustainable future, and PCA’s roadmap accelerates alignment throughout the industry. The roadmap will identify how to address the challenges that stand in the way of driving down emissions to achieve carbon neutrality, such as developing advanced technologies to reduce energy consumption, and developing and adopting regulations to allow for such technologies.
Cement producers have a strong culture of innovation and are in constant pursuit of finding more innovative and efficient ways of producing the high-quality cement our nation needs for things like homes, highways, hospitals and the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water. Since 1990, the industry has reduced energy consumption by 35%, emissions intensity by 11% and company-led improvements have led to the increased use of alternative fuels, such as industrial byproducts that otherwise would end up in landfills.
For more information on sustainability practices in the cement and concrete industry, visit www.cement.org and www.shapedbyconcrete.com.
The Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916, is the premier policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. PCA members represent over 90% of U.S. cement production capacity with facilities in all 50 states. The association promotes safety, sustainability, and innovation in all aspects of construction, fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and distribution and generally promotes economic growth and sound infrastructure investment.