GCCA was fully present at the forthcoming COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, running a full series of events at the ‘Concrete Future’ Pavilion in the Blue Zone.
Cement and concrete are the essential materials for delivering progress and building the resilient and sustainable communities our world needs.
We are already in the action of delivering a more sustainable industry – driving the global adoption of known decarbonisation levers, deploying new technologies, undertaking deep research, advancing innovation and new ways of working to make tangible progress. However, to fully unlock our industry’s decarbonisation efforts in this crucial decade to deliver, we urgently need effective policy support across a range of levers.
Now is the time for a true collaboration with industry, governments, authorities and policymakers to join us in our shared mission.
Read our latest Cement Industry Net Zero Progress Report 2024/25 here.
Cement and concrete are essential for the world – whether it’s delivering safe homes, modern transport networks, critical infrastructure such as clean water and the transition to clean energy, as well as building more resilient communities in the face of a changing planet. However, the cement sector accounts for around 7% of global CO2 emissions. Carbon management is a vital decarbonisation lever for the industry – 36% of the industry’s net zero commitments will come from CCUS.
This event will examine:
The industry’s current progress and plans, and the main challenges for CCUS deployment
CO2 transport and storage infrastructure
Enabling policies, financing and delivering the business case in the global north and global south
Best practise and key examples from around the world
Ultimately, how CCUS implementation can be accelerated
Cement and concrete are essential to building our sustainable world of the future. GCCA and its member companies are committed to a net zero future. Our members are taking action and making progress on the climate challenge. However, we urgently need policy support to fully unlock our industry’s decarbonisation efforts in this crucial decade to deliver.
There are many positive examples from across the world that show when policymakers provide the right market conditions and policy enablers, significant CO2 reductions can be made today. At COP29 we are calling on governments, authorities and policymakers to join us in our shared mission to deliver the great prize of decarbonised cement and concrete for the world.
Our goal is to both highlight the progress so far, and identify the key policy levers that can expedite the transition
Our event will include short presentations from governments, international stakeholders and GCCA's industry members.
The short presentations will be followed by an informal reception to launch our Pavilion.
We are looking forward to your attendance. Please RSVP here.
Thursday 14 November
Building Net Zero Standards & Turning Pledges into Action 12:00 – 13:00
The built environment value chain is notoriously complex. This makes delivery of action at scale challenging. Hear examples of how this challenge is being overcome with collaboration, new definitions and standards and through turning voluntary pledges into widespread action.
Collaboration & Knowledge: The Key to Concrete Sustainability 14:00 – 15:00
Carbon capture and storage, along with upstream methane controls, has an essential role to play in capturing emissions from key industries that have few or no other mitigation options. Global industrial sources—such as the production of cement, iron and steel, and certain chemicals—have inherent CO₂ emissions in their production processes and account for approximately one-fifth of all CO₂ emissions. CCS provides a proven, scalable solution for addressing greenhouse gas emissions from these industries, making it a critical tool in the global climate solution toolbox. This panel will address questions such as: What are the key prerequisites for deploying large-scale industrial CCS projects? How can policies help bridge the shortfall between the carbon price or incentives and the costs of capturing and storing CO₂? And what are the implications of tariffs and carbon border adjustments for industrial decarbonization?
Azerbaijan Cement Industry Net Zero Roadmap Launch 11:00 – 14:00
Climate change is increasingly seen as a major threat to our planet and humanity, making it essential for us to achieve net zero emissions. In line with this global imperative, our Net Zero Roadmap outlines our commitment to creating a clear path towards reaching net zero by 2050. This roadmap details the strategies adopted by Azerbaijan's cement producers to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the entire cement and concrete value chain. Key initiatives include reducing the clinker factor, a major contributor to carbon emissions in cement production, developing alternative fuels, implementing efficient construction designs, and advancing carbon capture technologies.
About ASİA The Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association was established in 2024 through the joint efforts of industry participants “Norm” OJSC, Holcim Azerbaijan, Arkoz Cement, and Reges Cement. The association launched the Net Zero Accelerator in May 2024, and the Net Zero Roadmap has been prepared using the methodology of the GCCA (Global Cement and Concrete Association) with the expertise of ECRA (European Cement Research Academy).
Cement Breakthrough Industry Roundtable 14:00 – 15:00 Invite only
No live stream
Saturday 16 November
GCCA Innovation Day Unlocking our net zero mission through innovation – Visit our Pavilion to learn about our innovation projects
Running throughout the day
Monday 18 November
Defining Green Cement & Concrete – Enabling a Decarbonized Industry & New Markets Launching the GCCA Low Carbon Definitions 11:45 – 12:45
Low carbon procurement or projects and products is a key driver for decarbonisation of the built environment. Underpinning policies are the need for definitions of what are low carbon and near zero products.
A range of viewpoints and regional perspectives will present and discuss the role of standards and voluntary assessments in enabling more widespread and effective adaption action. Hear about action for low income housing in emerging economies and addressing risks to commercial developments.
