The cement and concrete industry, a major economic driver and cornerstone of the global economy, is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing approximately 7% of global emissions. Recognizing the urgent need for decarbonization, the Government of Canada, represented by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the United Arab Emirates, represented by His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, have set out the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Priority Actions. This initiative was launched at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference 28 and aims to achieve near-zero emission cement production by 2030.
The Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Priority Actions outline five key themes to drive the decarbonization of the sector: definitions, standards and certification; demand creation; collaboration, education, innovation, and scale-up of existing technology; finance and investment; and relevant ecosystem landscape coordination. These actions are designed to build on existing efforts and promote international cooperation to meet global climate goals.
One of the significant steps under this initiative is Canada's commitment to providing $8 million over three years to help Thailand strengthen its climate governance and decarbonize its cement and concrete sector. This funding is part of Canada's $5.3 billion climate finance commitment and will be implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The project aims to align Thailand's sectoral actions with its national climate targets under the Paris Agreement, bringing together public and private stakeholders to implement net-zero policies, standards, and clean technologies.
Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized the importance of international collaboration in achieving these goals, stating, "These priority actions are backed by numerous governments, all working toward the common goal of achieving near-zero emission cement, a product vital to the growth of global economies. With the breakthrough initiative, we will help pave the way to achieving net-zero carbon cement and concrete while building a cleaner future for all."
Similarly, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, highlighted the global nature of the challenge and the need for collective action. He noted, "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the cement and concrete industry will unlock significant economic opportunities, all while helping meet pollution reduction goals. Carbon pollution knows no borders, and Canada looks forward to working with Thailand to make its ambition a success."
The Cement and Concrete Breakthrough is part of a broader effort under the Breakthrough Agenda, which includes seven sectoral initiatives targeting the highest emitting industrial sectors responsible for over 60% of global emissions. These sectors include power, road transport, steel, hydrogen, agriculture, buildings, and cement and concrete. The Breakthrough Agenda was created by world leaders at COP26 and is supported by 57 governments worldwide.
The priority actions for 2024-2025 are based on recommendations from the 2023 Breakthrough Agenda Report by the International Energy Agency, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions. These actions will be tracked and discussed through the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough dialogues co-led by Canada and the UAE, with progress reported in the annual Breakthrough Agenda report.
