The World Cement Association (WCA) today releases the WCA Climate Change Action Plan, the association’s manifesto for delivering its contribution to the objectives of the Paris Agreement to keep the global temperature rise well below two degrees.
The Action Plan (available to download: http://www.worldcementassociation.org/cap) outlines measures to help WCA members develop climate protection strategies and develop best practice. The full details of the plan will be presented in London at the WCA World Cement Conference on 5th December, in association with Intercem.
“Together with all our members, we step forward to lead the cement industry towards low-carbon production and a carbon-neutral built environment,” says Zhi Ping Song, President of the World Cement Association. “We aim to provide a framework that will enable all cement companies, including smaller ones and those in developing markets, to embrace best practice by granting them access to shared knowledge and support.”
The plan focuses on five key areas which were identified during the WCA Global Climate Change Forum, held in Paris earlier this year. One of the core elements of the Action Plan is improving transparency around greenhouse gas emissions reporting by developing new methodologies and tools for members to monitor and report their CO2 emissions.
This will enable them to effectively assess the carbon footprint of their products and participate in the “Getting the Numbers Right” global database of CO2 and energy information. Within the next two years, the WCA will develop a tailored monitoring and reporting protocol and deliver required training.
To ensure the optimal use of cement products in construction and to increase material efficiency in buildings, the WCA will advocate standards and building codes that encourage low-carbon solutions. Members commit to enhance their efforts in informing, educating and training concrete producers and users, as well as supporting the professionalisation of the construction sector, with the goal of reducing average material use and enhancing the quality and durability of buildings, thereby reducing the climate footprint.
The WCA will establish an internal knowledge exchange platform at global level to expedite the adoption of waste co-processing practices and will also help create necessary framework conditions.
As 50% of the technologies required to achieve a two-degrees scenario still need to be developed, sharing knowledge among WCA members to accelerate innovation is another cornerstone of the Action Plan. An essential element of this is the annual WCA Global Climate Change Forum, where experts join CEOs from cement companies all over the world to discuss climate issues.
The WCA will also regularly update its members about new products and the most relevant worldwide regulatory developments related to climate change – and more specifically to CO2 emissions mitigation. The WCA will also reach out to equipment suppliers to work collaboratively on technological challenges.
To reward best practices and innovative business models among its members, the WCA will set up a process for recognition of the most innovative products, solutions and/or business models supporting the transition to a low-carbon built environment.
“As a global organization, we believe that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change effectively requires joint effort. With a membership base representing more than 1 billion tons of annual cement production capacity the WCA and its members have the capacity to affect change in pursuing the necessary transition to a low carbon economy at global level”, says Bernard Mathieu, Director of the WCA Climate Program.
