In October 2020, the UK concrete and cement industry launched a roadmap to become net negative by 2050, removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits each year.
Representing a major milestone for the sector, the publication marked the first industry-wide beyond net zero roadmap for concrete and cement produced anywhere in the world.
The UK industry already has a strong track record having taken considerable early action and delivered a 53% reduction in absolute carbon dioxide emissions since 1990 – decarbonising faster than the UK economy as a whole. Consequently, domestic concrete and cement production currently accounts for just 1.5% of UK carbon dioxide emissions, five times lower than the global average.
But to get to net zero and beyond the sector is committed to building on this early action, with the detailed, viable and achievable roadmap setting out a clear pathway to reduce emissions to beyond net zero.
Importantly, the roadmap does not rely upon carbon offsetting or offshoring emissions but demonstrates an achievable route to beyond net zero through the application of seven decarbonisation technologies – including decarbonised electricity and transport networks, fuel switching, advanced carbon capture technology and greater use of low-carbon cements and concrete.
To find out more including details about the potential of each technology lever and the carbon savings that can be achieved, please watch our video to see the ‘roadmap to beyond net zero’ explained:
- Download the UK Concrete and Cement Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero
- Download the summary document of the UK Concrete and Cement Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero
- Download the technology lever briefing on Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS)
- Watch our video to understand more about how thermal mass works
- Watch our video to understand more about how carbonation works