The global cement and concrete sector has cut its CO₂ intensity by 25% since 1990, achieving milestones in emissions reduction, but industry leaders stress the need for stronger policy support to reach net zero by 2050.
The global cement and concrete industry has reported a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) intensity of its products, amounting to a 25% decrease since 1990, according to a recent report launched at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), which represents a majority of global cement production capacity outside China, claims the sector is making considerable progress in decarbonisation efforts but stresses the urgent need for government intervention to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions.
The company said in its latest Cement and Concrete Industry Net Zero Progress Report 2025/26 that energy efficiency improvements, greater use of alternative fuels, and innovations such as carbon capture and electrification are driving emissions reductions. The GCCA highlighted over 60 notable projects from its members, including pioneering uses of biomass waste in Turkey, the commercialisation of calcined clay cement in Spain and Africa, and the deployment of the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture cement plant in Brevik, Norway, operated by Heidelberg Materials.
Heidelberg Materials recently announced that it has pre-sold all the zero-emission cement it will produce in 2025 from its Brevik plant, which can capture around 400,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually. This development underlines the growing demand for sustainable construction materials and the industry’s intent to scale carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), which the GCCA says accounts for 36% of its planned CO₂ reductions.
However, despite these advancements, the report and industry leaders call for more robust policy frameworks. The GCCA is urging governments to promote the use of otherwise non-recyclable municipal and industrial waste as alternative fuels, change building codes to encourage blended cement and concrete products, and establish national carbon pricing mechanisms to incentivise further decarbonisation. As Dominik von Achten, GCCA President and Chairman of Heidelberg Materials, stated, “To achieve the industrial scale transformation that our world needs, we cannot do it by ourselves – our industry needs the support of governments, policymakers, stakeholders, and our allies across the built environment right now.”
The sector remains essential to global infrastructure yet contributes about 7% of global CO₂ emissions, placing it among the harder-to-abate industries. Innovations such as AI to optimise production, renewable energy adoption, and alternative materials like supplementary cementitious materials are gaining traction as complementary strategies. Environmental groups, however, continue to scrutinise major players like Holcim, which faces demands to accelerate emissions cuts ahead of its North American business spinoff in 2025. Critics from the Concrete Change campaign argue that Holcim has not sufficiently reduced direct plant emissions or invested in minimizing waste, despite the company’s claims of substantial progress and investments in sustainability projects.
Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive, remarked that while the range of decarbonisation activities is inspiring, “firm policy action across the world is fundamental to enabling us to accelerate our reductions.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of industrial decarbonisation as demand for concrete rises in line with economic growth and infrastructure needs.
The GCCA’s sustainability data, verified independently, highlight that alternative fuel use has increased twelvefold since 1990, energy efficiency has improved by nearly 20%, and the ratio of clinker, the most carbon-intensive cement ingredient, to cementitious materials has decreased. Yet, even with these gains, industry representatives acknowledge the scale of the challenge ahead and the necessity of public-private collaboration to meet the concrete sector’s net zero commitments by 2050.
As governments prepare to meet international climate goals, the cement industry’s trajectory will remain under close watch, with its ability to innovate and advocate for enabling policies critical to reducing one of the built environment’s most substantial carbon footprints.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251117920702/en/Global-Cement-Industry-Reports-25-CO2-Intensity-Reduction-and-Calls-for-Urgent-Government-Action-to-Accelerate-Net-Zero-Mission?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-bV7DTIYheT0D-1vT4_bKFzt_EW40VMdK6eG-WLfRGUE1fJraLPL1g6AeUGJlCTYs7Oafol48Kkc8KJgZoTHgMu0w8LYSbRdYOj2VdwnuKwa – Original press release. View link for all data
- https://gccassociation.org/gnr/ – The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) provides data on the cement industry’s sustainability progress. In 2025, the GCCA reported a 25% reduction in CO₂ per tonne of cementitious material since 1990. Additionally, the use of alternative fuels has increased twelvefold compared to 1990, energy efficiency has improved by 18%, and the clinker-to-cementitious ratio has improved by 10.68% since 1990. These figures highlight the industry’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance sustainability.
- https://gccassociation.org/cement-and-concrete-industry-net-zero-action-and-progress-report/ – The GCCA’s ‘Cement and Concrete Industry Net Zero Action and Progress Report’ outlines the sector’s commitment to achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050. The report details various decarbonisation projects, including the use of alternative fuels, carbon capture technologies, and the adoption of blended cement and concrete products. It also emphasizes the need for supportive government policies to accelerate these efforts, such as promoting the use of non-recyclable waste as alternative fuels and establishing carbon pricing mechanisms.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/heidelberg-sells-out-net-zero-cement-norway-plant-ceo-says-2025-06-18/ – Heidelberg Materials has pre-sold all the zero-emissions cement it will produce in 2025 from its Brevik plant in southern Norway. The plant, upgraded with a carbon capture facility, can capture around 400,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, enabling the production of evoZero, a net-zero cement product. This initiative demonstrates the industry’s commitment to decarbonisation and the growing demand for sustainable construction materials.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/decarbonizing-industries/cement-hard-industry-crack-down-emissions-2025-06-11/ – The cement industry, responsible for 7-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is initiating significant efforts to decarbonize despite being historically difficult to abate. Strategies include using renewable energy, alternative fuels, AI to optimize production, and substituting clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Innovations such as wood-based structures, bio-cement using bacteria, and AI-driven efficiency gains are gaining traction. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is vital and gaining momentum with projects like Heidelberg’s CCS facility in Norway.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/environment-groups-call-holcim-cut-carbon-footprint-ahead-us-spinoff-2024-10-17/ – Environmental groups are urging Holcim to reduce its carbon emissions before the spinoff of its North American business next year. The Swiss company, which produces cement—a significant source of global CO₂ emissions—faces pressure from the Concrete Change campaign led by U.S. non-profit Industrious Labs and backed by the Swiss proxy adviser Actares. The campaign is requesting Holcim to phase out energy-intensive kilns and develop a net-zero cement plant in North America by 2030.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/holcim-draws-climate-criticism-ahead-30-bln-us-spinoff-2024-09-19/ – Holcim, a major Swiss cement producer, is facing criticism from the U.S.-based environmental nonprofit Industrious Labs ahead of its $30 billion spinoff of its North American operations, scheduled for the first half of 2025. The nonprofit argues that Holcim has not adequately reduced direct emissions at its plants or invested sufficiently in minimizing material and energy waste, issuing a ‘D’ grade for its sustainability efforts. In response, Holcim emphasized its commitment to sustainability, citing a recent award for industrial decarbonization and over $474 million spent on green projects in 2023.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being 17 November 2025, coinciding with the launch of the report at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The report is original, as it presents new data and policy recommendations. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data and new material, justifying a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Dominik von Achten and Thomas Guillot are unique to this report, with no earlier usage found. This suggests the content is original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), a reputable organisation representing a majority of global cement production capacity outside China. The report was launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, a significant international climate conference. This enhances the credibility of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims of a 25% reduction in CO₂ intensity since 1990 are plausible and align with ongoing industry efforts. The report’s call for government action to accelerate net-zero progress is consistent with global climate objectives. The narrative is consistent with the region and topic, and the language and tone are appropriate.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and consistent with the region and topic. No significant credibility risks were identified.
