Environmental impacts and decarbonization strategies in the cement and concrete industries

Abstract

The use of cement and concrete, among the most widely used man-made materials, is under scrutiny. Owing to their large-scale use, production of cement and concrete results in substantial emission of greenhouse gases and places strain on the availability of natural resources, such as water. Projected urbanization over the next 50–100 years therefore indicates that the demand for cement and concrete will continue to increase, necessitating strategies to limit their environmental impact. In this Review, we shed light on the available solutions that can be implemented within the next decade and beyond to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cement and concrete production. As the construction sector has proven to be very slow-moving and risk-averse, we focus on minor improvements that can be achieved across the value chain, such as the use of supplementary cementitious materials and optimizing the clinker content of cement. Critically, the combined effect of these marginal gains can have an important impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% if all stakeholders are engaged. In doing so, we reveal credible pathways for sustainable concrete use that balance societal needs, environmental requirements and technical feasibility. Concrete is one of the most widely used man-made materials and is critical for the ongoing urbanization of the global population. However, owing to its widespread use, concrete can have a negative impact on the environment. This Review provides medium-term and long-term solutions to address the environmental concerns surrounding concrete production. Large-scale replacement of cement by other materials is not possible within the next decade. The environmental impact of cement and concrete production is low per unit volume of material, but the amounts used make the impact of the concrete sector highly important. Reductions in CO2 emissions are possible through the introduction of improvements across the cement and concrete value chain. By engaging all stakeholders in the construction sector, immediate greenhouse gas savings on the order of 50% could be reached without heavy investment in new industrial infrastructure or modification of existing standards. Research and development are urgently needed to allow post-2050 construction to meet future emissions-reduction targets. Large-scale replacement of cement by other materials is not possible within the next decade. The environmental impact of cement and concrete production is low per unit volume of material, but the amounts used make the impact of the concrete sector highly important. Reductions in CO2 emissions are possible through the introduction of improvements across the cement and concrete value chain. By engaging all stakeholders in the construction sector, immediate greenhouse gas savings on the order of 50% could be reached without heavy investment in new industrial infrastructure or modification of existing standards. Research and development are urgently needed to allow post-2050 construction to meet future emissions-reduction targets.