Canada, UAE launch partnership to decarbonize cement, concrete use
The Government of Canada and the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) have launched a partnership that aims to decarbonize cement and concrete use.
The initiative will see the countries share best practices on a range of policies and other measures to decarbonize the cement and concrete sector. It will engage a variety of partners, providing an opportunity for Canada to drive the adoption of low-carbon cement products and solutions that build on the global recognition of Canada’s Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050.
The Cement and Concrete Breakthrough initiative was unveiled on December 6 at COP28 in Dubai.
“Innovation and investments in clean technology are crucial to building a competitive green economy,” said federal of innovation, science and industry minister François-Philippe Champagne. “Canada is a key player in the net-zero carbon economy and is committed to laying the foundation of a competitive green cement and concrete industry that will create green jobs and build a clean future for all Canadians and the world. With the breakthrough initiative, we will help pave the way to achieve net-zero carbon cement and concrete by 2050.”
Created in 2022 at COP26, the Breakthrough Agenda provides a framework for initiatives that enable countries to accelerate decarbonization actions, beginning in five key sectors of the economy: power, road transport, steel, hydrogen and agriculture.
With the launch of two additional breakthrough initiatives at COP28—buildings, and cement and concrete—the Breakthrough Agenda now cover sectors responsible for more than 60% of global emissions.
“We support and welcome the launch of the cement breakthrough initiative,” said Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the Global Cement and Concrete Association. “Cement and concrete are essential for so much of our modern world and will also be needed for meeting the challenges ahead. They will play a key role in providing resilient and sustainable infrastructure and safely housing communities around our planet. We are delighted to work with the cement breakthrough initiative and the Government of Canada to accelerate the transition.”
A growing number of countries have joined Canada and the UAE to endorse the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative, including Germany, Turkey, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Canada’s leading role in the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative is part of the Action Plan to 2030.
The 2022 and 2023 federal budgets introduced new measures to increase the commercialization and deployment of low-carbon technologies and resources and to support the continued growth of clean technology businesses across Canada. This included $15 billion for the Canada Growth Fund to accelerate the investment of private capital in decarbonization and cleantech projects, help promote the diversification of Canada’s economy, help meet Canada’s climate targets and strengthen Canada’s economic resilience and capacity.
Cement is a significant source of industrial CO2 emissions around the world, representing 26% of global industrial sector CO2 emissions in 2019. Cement production in Canada was valued at more than $1.3 billion in 2019.