Concrete at the world climate change conference

PNWRC – December 10, 2018

An important new signal has been made at the world climate change conference now underway in Poland of the global cement and concrete sector’s commitment to climate action.

Making its first attendance at international climate negotiations, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is seeking to make known the cement and concrete sector’s commitment to sustainable development and the critical work that is now underway in many areas to reduce global CO2 emissions.

GCCA Cement Director, Claude Lorea is in Poland for a number of face-to-face talks with key international stakeholders, including the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the International Emissions Trading Association.

Claude Lorea said: “With everyone acknowledging COP24 is the most critical gathering on climate change since the 2015 Paris Agreement, it is important that the GCCA and the cement and concrete sector is part of that discussion.”

The GCCA presence at the world climate summit underscores the growing recognition of the leadership being shown by the cement and concrete sectors in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment as a means to meet the global challenge of climate change.

Under the umbrella of its recent partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the GCCA has launched a global work program focused on its commitment to make a positive contribution toward global sustainable development. Its presence at the COP24 meetings underlines the cement and concrete sector’s commitment to sustainable development and critical work to reduce global CO2 emissions.

Benjamin Sporton, GCCA’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Building Resilience Coalition’s LinkedIn Group, leads the efforts of the GCCA to advance sustainable construction, and to enhance the cement and concrete industry’s contribution to global, social and developmental challenges.

Speaking last month in London at the inaugural Annual General Meeting and Symposium of the Global Cement and Concrete Association, Sporton stated “Today we have taken a decisive step-forward in setting our priorities and work program. Sustainability, innovation, and recognising the vital role of concrete in our lives and in tackling climate change will be at the heart of everything we do.”

“Concrete is the enabler of critical buildings and infrastructure that enhance the way we live – safe and durable homes, roads, hospitals, clean water, effective wastewater management, as well as providing the vital structures for the clean energy of tomorrow,” he added.

William Larson, CalPortland’s Vice-President of Marketing commented in an early Group posting about GCCA that we are “looking forward to working with this great group.”

For more information on the Global Cement and Concrete Association please visit here,