Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Paragraph: 106
We welcome the Government’s investment in the development of low-carbon cements as set out in...
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s investment in the development of low-carbon cements as set out in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy. Alongside research and development, more needs to be done to raise awareness of low-carbon cements within the industry and amongst the public, to generate demand and increased investment in these products.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the publication of the Low Carbon Concrete Routemap, a comprehensive guide to reducing carbon emissions associated with the construction industry developed through collaboration by a wide range of independent experts.
Paragraph Reference:
106
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Green Construction Board (GCB) is the net zero and sustainability work stream of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC). The CLC is co-chaired by industry and BEIS’ Construction Minister. In April 2022, the GCB drew on its industry technical expertise and that of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and published its Low Carbon Concrete Routemap in April 2022. This Routemap will provide a comprehensive guide to reducing the carbon emissions associated with the construction industry, and was developed through collaboration by a wide range of independent experts from across the whole value chain involved in specifying, designing, constructing and supplying materials for buildings and infrastructure. The Routemap sets out three decarbonisation routes to 2050 based on what action the industry takes and how fast carbon sequestration in concrete advances. Even under the most modest route, emissions are expected to fall from 10 million tonnes CO2e in 2022 to 5 million tonnes in 2035. The report also sees a major role for carbon sequestration – both techniques of locking carbon dioxide into concrete and of capturing the carbon that arises from the production of cement. However, the report acknowledges these techniques are not yet commercially viable and calls for large-scale industry and government support for research and trials, with sequestration being seen as an end-of-pipe solution once other opportunities to cut carbon have been taken.