New in-depth technology review supporting cement sector in further mitigating its CO2 emissions

Today, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) published a report focusing on the availability of the latest technologies and the need to scale up research and development that can help the cement industry mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions.

Published: 20 Jun 2017
Type: News

Geneva, 20 June 2017: In light of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement’s entry into force, the CSI initiated an in-depth review of its original technology papers, which were originally developed in 2009 when the sector issued the first ever low-carbon technology roadmap in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The 2017 technology review published today comprises 52 individual papers on well-known existing technologies (for which the latest development and implementation status is reviewed) and seven additional summary papers describing state-of-the-art and anticipated technological developments that can further enhance mitigation of CO2 emissions in cement production.  The report also includes an assessment of the level of possible implementation, the challenges and costs of these technologies in future scenarios for 2030 and 2050.

The European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) supported CSI with the review of these technology papers, drawing on its renowned expert knowledge of cement manufacturing and extensive experience with literature research of latest developments. In addition, a robust thorough stakeholder consultation process, involving experts from various cement companies, researchers and international organizations, has analyzed the outputs and ensured the analysis reflects the most up-to-date knowledge.

These new technology papers will be a major source of information for the global cement industry and beyond.  The papers have already been considered by IEA’s technology flagship publication: Energy Technology Perspectives 2017.  They will also serve as an important reference document for development of low-carbon technology roadmaps for the cement sector, at global as well as regional or national levels.  For instance, the CSI is currently working with IEA to update their joint global cement technology roadmap using these papers.  Beyond quantification of the contribution of a portfolio of technologies and strategies to mitigate CO2 emissions from the sector in the least-cost low-carbon pathways, the roadmap will also identify the major opportunities, barriers and measures facing the industry, as well as financial partners and policy makers. 

Philippe Fonta, Managing Director of the CSI shared that “The publication of these revised and new technical papers sets robust foundations for the overall exercise of updating our 2009 roadmap.  It is also a major step in the implementation of commitments made by the cement sector in Paris through the Cement Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) and it demonstrates that the business is more than ever focused on supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The CSI and IEA plan to share the initial results of the updated global technology roadmap for the cement sector at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.

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