New Rating System Will Rank Cement and Concrete Based on Carbon Footprint

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• New Rating System Will Rank Cement and Concrete Based on Carbon Footprint

29 April 2025

The Global Cement and Concrete Association is driving the procurement of more sustainable cement and concrete with a first-of-its-kind global carbon rating system.

Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) for Cement and Concrete will enable cement and concrete to be identified based on their carbon footprints, with an AA to G scale.

Inspired by the EU’s Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home Energy Rating System, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) aims to offer a transparent way for consumers to make more informed choices when buying cement and concrete.

The rating system is designed to be used alongside Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), using numerical definitions in units of embodied carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne for cement and per cubic metre of concrete product (ECO2e /m3), also referred to as Global Warming Potential (GWP).

In 2018, UK carbon dioxide emissions from concrete and cement were 7.3 million tonnes, approximately 1.5 per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Cement and concrete are the foundations of modern life – from the buildings we live and work in, to the roads we travel, and the infrastructure that supports clean water and green energy”, said Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA.

“As global demand for sustainable construction grows, the need for greater transparency around the carbon footprint of construction materials is more critical than ever. Our Low Carbon Ratings system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will empower the entire value chain to accelerate decarbonisation.”

Picture: a photograph of people spreading some cement using a square-edged shovel. Image Credit: Pexels

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 29 April 2025

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