A new study by the Alliance for Low-carbon Cement Concrete (ALCCC) has released a range of mitigation scenarios aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Europe’s cement industry. By progressively decreasing the clinker-to-cement ratio to 60%, 50%, or 40% by 2050, the study demonstrates the potential for CO2 reductions of more than half in a sector that has long been considered challenging to decarbonise. The study warns that cement emissions will continue to rise due to a projected 50% increase in demand by 2050 unless urgent low-carbon solutions are adopted. In response, the ALCCC, a newly formed group comprising progressive actors in key European markets, has proposed “safe and cost-effective“ solutions that are ready to be deployed at scale. Europe must also establish a realistic framework that prioritises decarbonisation, encompassing regulations and standardisation, according to the ALCCC study. Existing standards governing the entry of cement and concrete products into the European market rely on recipe-based provisions rather than performance-based criteria, thereby hindering market adoption of new low-carbon technologies, the study noted. Performance-based standards would remove barriers to innovation and replace the prescriptive approach currently in place, the study found. Additionally, green procurement practices and targeted financing instruments are necessary to further accelerate the pace of innovation. Justin Wilkes, Executive Director of the Environmental Coalition on Standards, said: “Technology and innovation are there, but we need political will. Standards and policies must allow low-carbon solutions to become the norm.”
