Submitted by Berrin Chatzi ChouseinGCCA introduces international definitions for low-carbon cement and concrete at COP29 Azerbaijan Architecture News - Jan 08, 2025 - 10:20 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The international definitions for low-carbon cement and concrete were introduced at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.Launched at the UN Climate Change Conference held from 11 to 22 November 2024, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has introduced its international definitions for low-carbon cement and concrete, aiming to help governments and businesses "identify and buy green cement and concrete" across the world.The new international definitions will bring "transparency and trust"According to Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the new international definitions will bring "transparency and trust" in the markets that want access to green concrete and cement.Considering that the built environment is responsible for 40 percent of carbon emissions, the use of concrete has an important place. Known as an indispensable material and a symbol of modern architecture, concrete is the most used material on earth after water, according to GCCA's Cement Industry Net Zero Progress Report 2024/25.Due to being the main component of the clinker in cement, the clinker is extremely carbon intensive, accounting for 90% of the total emissions from cement. Made of cement, water, sand, and aggregate, concrete is one of the most harmful materials on the earth.In a new 9-page report, the GCCA created numerical definitions for low-carbon and near-zero emissions concrete, which was published in October 2024.For procurement motives, the report provides numerical definitions for "low carbon" and "near zero" carbon emissions concrete products in units of embedded carbon dioxide equivalent per cubic meter of product (ECO2e /m3), also known as Global Warming Potential (GWP)."A big step forward towards delivering a greener built environment and a greener global economy""This is a big step forward towards delivering a greener built environment and a greener global economy. Lead markets for low carbon basic materials are an important component of the policy landscape to support decarbonization of sectors such as cement and concrete," said Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action."During the German G7 Presidency the Energy and Climate Ministers agreed on the IEA definitions being a robust starting point for the work internationally.""We are delighted that this work has been built upon by the GCCA to publish low carbon and near zero definitions for concrete products," Habeck explained."As co-chair of the International Climate Club initiative with Chile, we continue to facilitate multilateral collaboration and alignment on industrial decarbonization," Habeck added.With the help of governments and organizations like the IEA, Climate Club, and the Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative, which was made possible by UNIDO, the industry has developed and improved definitions of green concrete that are both universal and adaptable to local practices while maintaining international consistency and comparability.The definitions make use of the well-established environmental product declaration (EPD) accounting technique for products, especially cement and concrete, in the construction value chain.Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, whose members represent 80% of cement production capacity outside of China, as well as a number of leading Chinese manufacturers, said: "Concrete and its key binding ingredient cement are the most used materials on the planet after water and essential to the modern world for delivering vital infrastructure, housing, cities, and resilient communities.""Building on our net zero commitment is an important advancement on our journey towards net zero.""We now call on policymakers, governments, and the private sector to procure green cement and concrete and provide the key signals to our sector to accelerate decarbonization," Guillot added.Global Definitions for Low Carbon and Near Zero Emissions Concrete. Image courtesy of the GCCA7 bands from A to G include the near-zero emissions and global reference thresholdsThe GCCA created 7 bands from A to G, including the near-zero emissions and global reference thresholds. While the bands from A to E letter showcase the Global Reference Threshold, the AA band represents a near zero emission product threshold. At the top of the bands, are F and G, covering all concrete products not included in Bands A to F."The band values in GWP units of (ECO2e /m3) are plotted against concrete compressive strength. Concrete product is defined as ready mixed concrete and precast (factory made) concrete1 and concrete masonry elements," stated the report.In order to develop a set of universally applicable criteria for concrete, GCCA has decided to collaborate with the Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI).The IDDI is an international association of both public and commercial entities. Consistent definitions for low carbon and near-zero steel, concrete, and cement are among IDDI's main goals. The IDDI uses the International Energy Agency's (IEA) criteria for low-carbon and near-zero crude steel and cement as a solid foundation and is helping to develop, improve, and expand them as necessary.According to the GCCA, a system that allows all countries to report progress and allows for cross-country comparisons using uniform banding levels can be applied to procurement in all countries."GCCA used the 2022 work by IEA for G7 on cement production as a robust starting point and have been developed with public and private procurement in mind," said the GCCA."The definitions are designed to be used with local benchmarks and targets to reflect different challenges, opportunities and rate of decarbonisation.""Low carbon procurement of projects and products is a key driver for decarbonisation of the built environment," the association explained.Countries included in Global Reference Threshold calculation. Image courtesy of the GCCAA new Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC) is establishedAnnounced at the COP29 climate conference, the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction also announced the establishment of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC).The ICBC aims to implement new goals towards decarbonization in the construction industry. The ICBC is part of a significant step toward implementing the Chaillot Declaration, the ministerial declaration was launched in March 2024."Responsible for 37 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions and 34 percent of final energy demand in 2022, the buildings sector plays a vital economic role but is also a significant source of environmental impact," stated a press release.The top image in the article: The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation by Studio Gang. Fourth-Floor Bridge Links and Connections. Image Iwan Baan.