The Government of Canada and the Cement Association of Canada released the Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050.
Concrete is the most used building material on the planet, and the cement needed to make that concrete accounts for 7 per cent of global CO2 emissions and about 1.5 per cent of Canada’s. With support and collaboration from the Government of Canada and partners across the construction value chain, Canada’s cement and concrete industry is poised to achieve, through this partnership, the elimination of more than 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions cumulatively by 2030, followed by ongoing reductions of over 4 million tonnes annually from the production of cement and concrete in Canada.
“Canada’s cement and concrete industry is a leader in the fight to stop climate change,” said Adam Auer, president and CEO, Cement Association of Canada. “While we are steadfast in our commitment to reduce our emissions by 15 million tonnes cumulatively by 2030 and reach true net zero by 2050, we know we can’t do it alone. Together with government, we will continue to support the innovation and investment needed on our path to delivering net-zero concrete, while at the same time preserving its properties as a durable, resilient, versatile and cost-effective material.”
As a first step, the roadmap includes the Action Plan to 2030, which is centred on three priority areas: driving Canadian market development; advancing innovation and transition in the industry; and positioning Canada as a world leader in the production, adoption and export of low-carbon cement and concrete products and technologies.
The Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete was spearheaded by a joint government-industry working group, co-led by the Cement Association of Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The working group included key players from the federal government, the Canadian cement and concrete industry, and relevant environmental experts.
