The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has introduced the Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) for cement and concrete, marking a significant advancement in sustainable construction.
This innovative global rating system is designed to identify cement and concrete products based on their carbon footprints, using a straightforward AA to G scale.
The LCR aims to assist customers in prioritizing sustainability when selecting construction materials, offering a transparent and adaptable tool inspired by established schemes, such as the EU’s Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home Energy Rating System.
Thomas Guillot, the Chief Executive of the GCCA, emphasized the foundational role of cement and concrete in modern infrastructure, from buildings and roads to clean water and green energy systems. As demand for sustainable construction materials increases, the need for transparency regarding their carbon footprint becomes crucial.
The LCR system is expected to support sustainable procurement practices and accelerate decarbonization across the construction value chain. The rating system is designed to be easily recognizable, featuring a simple visual graphic that indicates a product’s carbon rating.
It provides consistency and comparability, allowing countries to adopt or adapt the global ratings to local carbon accounting standards. Riccardo Savigliano from UNIDO highlighted the system’s role in harmonizing global definitions for low-emission cement and concrete, supporting decarbonization efforts.
The introduction of the LCR system marks a significant milestone in the industry’s journey toward greater sustainability. Notable projects have already demonstrated the use of lower-carbon cement and concrete, showcasing the industry’s progress.
Marlène Dance from Bouygues Bâtiment International noted the potential of a globally consistent carbon rating system to revolutionize the industry, empowering construction teams to manage their materials’ carbon footprint.
The LCR system is designed to work with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDS), which are third-party verified and certified.
It uses numerical definitions in units of embodied carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne for cement and per cubic meter of concrete product (ECO2e/m3), also known as Global Warming Potential (GWP).
The International Energy Agency and the GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete serve as the basis for these definitions.
Countries can adopt the GCCA cement rating system, as demonstrated by Germany, where a scheme aligned with the GCCA system is already in place.
The GCCA collaborated with the Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) and other stakeholders to create globally applicable definitions for concrete, ready for use in most countries. Adaptations can be made for countries with different carbon accounting practices, as seen in the UK.
Overall, the GCCA cement and concrete ratings can be integrated with national and local baselines and targets to support low-carbon procurement, driving the industry towards a more sustainable future.
More details on the rating systems are available on the website of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). Watch this informative video available on YouTube
