UK cement producers are deeply committed to reducing emissions and meeting the UK net zero ambition. Since 1990 the UK concrete and cement sector have reduced emissions by 53% through investments in fuel switching away from fossil fuels, increasing the use of low carbon secondary cementitious materials, and improving energy efficiency. The documents below set out the sector roadmap to net zero and the enabling action required
Delivering net zero will require bold leadership from governments and industry around the world. Following the UN COP26 Summit there is an excellent opportunity for UK Government to put in place new domestic measures to support energy intensive manufacturing industries, which can help to accelerate decarbonisation and create UK net zero jobs.
Published: 2023
Transport and indirect emissions are two of the smaller contributors to emissions from the concrete and cement sector, but together they are not insignificant. This paper looks at key policy enablers which will allow for decarbonisation.
Thermal mass is used to enhance year-round building performance, reducing overheating risk and cooling demand in summer. Concrete provides a high level of thermal mass, which can improve a building’s energy performance,
Carbon emissions will be reduced by accelerating the use of the lower carbon concretes available now and the research and development into clinker content, alternative binders and cement formulations to increase the range of lower carbon concretes available.
Published: 2022
The UK concrete and cement industry has developed a roadmap to beyond net zero by 2050 – removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits each year.
Published: 2020
Summary version of the UK Concrete and Cement Industry Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero.
Carbonation occurs naturally throughout the concrete lifecycle, accelerating when it is demolished, crushed, and recycled. MPA is currently developing a government funded scientific model to calculate CO2 removals from the atmosphere due to concrete carbonation.
Increasing the replacement of fossil fuels with carbon neutral alternatives and innovative zero carbon energy sources will be crucial for the UK concrete and cement industry’s journey to beyond net zero.
Published: 2021
CCUS is a critical technology for net zero UK concrete and cement. CCUS with waste biofuels can help concrete and cement go beyond net zero.
The UK concrete and cement industry has developed a roadmap to beyond net zero by 2050 - removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits each year.
MPA UK Concrete, the group representing the UK concrete industry, has developed a framework to help inform the delivery of an ambitious roadmap for the UK concrete and cement sector to deliver net negative emissions by 2050.