Thirty months out from releasing “Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the California Cement Industry,” California Nevada Cement Association (CNCA) producers report considerable progress on related public policy, material processing and market development measures toward their 2045 goal: “We are committed to continuing progress to reach net zero emissions for all cement producers in California, hopefully sooner than our projected date of…
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Study: Policy actions key to carbon-neutral pavements by 2050
A new study by MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSHub) researchers shows that the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of all construction materials used in the U.S. pavement network are 11.9-13.3 megatons, equivalent to the output of a gasoline-fueled passenger vehicle logging 30 billion miles. As roads are built, repaved, and expanded, new approaches and thoughtful material choices are necessary to…
Read MoreCement plants over-represented in EPA Energy Star Industrial Program
The 86 facilities recognized in the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Industrial Program—10 cement plants in eight states among them—are credited with saving more than 100 trillion Btu of energy and preventing 6 million-plus metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. The cement and peer plants earned Energy Star certification for operating in the top 25 percent of energy…
Read MoreEPA accelerates low carbon material, product procurement timetable
The Environmental Protection Agency will host three webinars to gather public and private construction stakeholder perspectives on federal procurement policy tied to carbon dioxide emissions accounting and reporting methods for specified materials or products: Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Construction Materials Prioritization and Environmental Data Improvement, March 2, 2-3:30 p.m. EST Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Grants and Technical Assistance…
Read MoreWhite House, agencies pen federal contractor greenhouse gas accounting rules
Sources: White House Council on Environmental Quality, Office of Federal Chief Sustainability Officer; CP staff The White House-proposed “Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule” outlines greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosure requirements applicable to contractors involved in construction or delivery of other services for federal projects, facilities and agencies. “Major” contractors, or those booking more than $50 million annually in…
Read MoreCement leaders document Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality progress
Sources: Global Cement and Concrete Association, London; Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Portland Cement Association Chairman Ron Henley (GCC America) told a New York Climate Week gathering that U.S. producers have exceeded expectations outlined nearly one year ago with release of the PCA Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. The document offered specific carbon dioxide emissions reduction opportunities along a…
Read MoreLiebherr LCA study: Technology neutrality best emissions reduction course
In order to achieve the international objectives surrounding projected global warming trends through 2100, climate change observers contend, economies worldwide must reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly in all sectors. Recognizing how emissions discipline applies to the construction industry, Germany’s Liebherr Group is working on new, efficient drive concepts for its concrete delivery and earthmoving equipment. The manufacturer enlisted…
Read MoreCarbonCure carbon credit purchase agreement: $30 million over 10 years
Nova Scotia-based CarbonCure Technologies has signed a pioneering carbon credit purchase agreement underpinned by the company’s process of mineralizing and storing carbon dioxide in ready mixed or manufactured concrete. Valued at $30 million over a 10-year window, it entails majority and minority funding partners, Invert Inc. of Calgary and Ripple Inc. of Ottawa, providing up front capital in exchange for…
Read MoreContract-laden GSA calls for concrete, asphalt EPD submittals
A new U.S. General Services Administration standard targeting low embodied concrete on federal projects will require contractors to provide environmental product declarations (EPD), where available, from ready mixed suppliers. It compels procurement of concrete exhibiting production stage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at levels 20 percent below national averages for compressive strength classes. EPDs express the GHG metric as global warming…
Read MoreEPA GHG emissions inventory tool hits cement plants close to home
The EPA has released 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) data collected under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). Reported carbon dioxide and methane emissions from large industrial sources were approximately 9 percent lower than in 2019, reflecting both the economic slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and ongoing, long-term industry trends. GHGRP adds a new demographic mapping layer to EPA’s Facility…
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