In 2015, industrialized nations signed the Paris Accord, committing to a goal of keeping the maximum average global temperature at no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2060. This directed attention to the primary systems and industries that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and, correspondingly, led to plans for participating in or influencing this goal. Many such plans, like that of the Portland Cement Association, project achieving this goal even sooner, even as soon as 2050.

On October 15, 2021, the PCA released its “Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality,” which is designed to be one of the primary guiding documents for the construction industry, specifically for all segments working with concrete. An executive summary of the document, as well as the detailed roadmap, are available at the links found at the end of this brief.

Executive Summary Statement

PCA member companies are committed to achieving carbon neutrality across the value chain by 2050. The PCA Roadmap involves the entire value chain, starting at the cement plant and extending through the built environment’s entire life cycle to incorporate the circular economy approach. This approach to carbon neutrality leverages relationships at each step of the value chain, providing a viable way for this industry to participate and take responsibility for its part in climate change.

The cement and concrete industry cannot do this alone. To bring down CO2 emissions from

all sources, including the building sector, people from various industries must recognize that our world is interconnected. Stakeholders must work together to ensure that the building sector creates a sustainable built environment – this is why PCA member companies are embarking on a journey to carbon neutrality as an industry and inviting others across the value chain to join the effort. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions all have a role, and the industry looks forward to collaborating on this mission to achieve carbon neutrality.

The five links in the value chain include the production of clinker, the manufacture and shipment of cement, the manufacture of concrete, the construction of the built environment, and the capture of carbon dioxide using concrete as a carbon sink. 

Each link has specific targets, timelines, technologies, and policies for reaching the goal of carbon neutrality. The approach in this roadmap leverages each step of the value chain from the farthest upstream to the final reuse and recycling phase.

What This Means for Industry

While there is much to learn and even more to innovate, develop, and apply, the concrete construction industry can prepare and begin considering ways to impact portions of this roadmap sooner rather than later. Residential contractors can:

Encourage the use of the lowest possible concrete strength. Usually, the higher the concrete design strength the higher the amount of Portland cement used.

• More accurately determine and control concrete volume. Limit waste and excessive use on project sites by controlling excavations and formed installation sizes with greater accuracy.
• Investigate supplementary cementitious materials. These are often described as “waste products” from other industries. With similar hydrating reactions to water as Portland cement, SCMs like fly ash alter both mechanical and curing properties. Find ways to balance schedules and performance while lowering your carbon footprint.
• Implement planning strategies to control fuel consumption and mileage. Often overlooked in project planning is consolidating travel for crews and supply chain movement, as well as seeking other strategies that can lower the carbon footprint through traffic reductions.

Read More

• PCA Press Release for Roadmap: https://www.cement.org/newsroom/2021/10/12/portland-cement-association-releases-roadmap-to-carbon-neutrality-by-2050
• PCA Road Map to Carbon Neutrality: https://www.cement.org/sustainability/roadmap-to-carbon-neutrality
• Shaped By Concrete website: http://www.shapedbyconcrete.com/
• Global Cement and Concrete Association Roadmap: https://gccassociation.org/

The largest factor in participating in the PCA effort to reach carbon neutrality and the responsibility to limit global temperature rise is self-awareness and knowledge. We are committed to maintaining a collaborative environment with our industry colleagues to bring the latest innovations, opportunities, and encouragements. What ways are you already seeing possibilities to be a leader? Tell us more by emailing Skye Kelley, the CFA’s member engagement specialist, at skelley@cfaconcretepros.org.