GCCA India and TERI Launch Decarbonisation Roadmap for the Indian Cement Industry: Net Zero C0₂ by 2070

The Global Cement and Concrete Association India (GCCA India), in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), has launched the “Decarbonisation Roadmap for the Indian Cement Industry: Net zero CO₂ emissions by 2070″. This aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to net-zero emissions and reflects the Indian cement sector’s aspiration to lead in climate action.

As the world’s second-largest producer of cement, India accounts for 8% of the global installed capacity. While cement is crucial for infrastructure and economic growth, it also contributes to approximately 7% of India’s total CO₂ emissions. Cement, the key binding ingredient in concrete, is seen as essential for economic and social development, and with a per capita cement consumption of approx.. 300 kg, significantly lower than the global average of 540 kg, the sector presents significant potential for progress and growth.

The roadmap outlines a structured pathway for the Indian cement sector to achieve net zero CO₂ by 2070, with an interim target for 2047 in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.’ The roadmap is developed through a collaborative effort involving industry leaders, research institutions, academia, and sectoral experts. To achieve these aspirations, the industry will require strong policy support and financial incentives from the government.

Parth Jindal – Managing Director – JSW Cement Limited and Chair of GCCA India, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “As we stand at the intersection of climate action and industrial innovation, the decarbonisation of the cement industry is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Our sector plays a vital role in India’s infrastructure and economic development, but we recognise that it contributes to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. That is why this is an important step forward in helping to meet India’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2070 – joint dedicated action from us all.

I extend my gratitude to the GCCA India task force members, the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA), and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) for their invaluable contributions. I also appreciate the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) for their feedback and review of this roadmap. This roadmap symbolises the collective aspiration of the Indian Cement Industry.”

Echoing these sentiments, Thomas Guillot, CEO of GCCA, stated, “As India continues to establish itself as a global leader in engineering, science, technology, and business, I am delighted to see a national commitment from the Indian cement sector. While the global GCCA Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap targets net zero CO₂ at the concrete level by 2050, the India-specific roadmap aligns with the Government of India’s 2070 net-zero target. However, we recognise that India’s cement industry can accelerate its decarbonisation journey with active policy support from the government. Strong partnerships between industry and government are crucial for our future. GCCA and our colleagues in India stand ready to collaborate in building a sustainable world.”

Commenting on the process of development of the India specific decarbonization roadmap for the cement sector, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI expressed her gratitude to all the industry stakeholders, specially the GCCA India Task Force members who remained closely engaged with the process for nearly two years. She thanked GCCA India for having TERI as a partner in this important initiative, which marks a significant step towards a sustainable, net zero future for the Indian cement sector.

The link to the report is here.

About GCCA India

GCCA India works with the Indian cement and concrete sector on climate change, circular economy, health and safety, SDGs, and communication. GCCA India covers close to 80% of India’s cement capacity. Sustainable development of the cement and concrete industry is at the core of the GCCA’s work.

The GCCA gathers and publishes data on the industry’s sustainability commitments and guidelines and initiates research. ‘Decarbonization Roadmap for the Indian Cement Sector: Net-Zero CO2 by 2070’ is the collective aspiration of India’s leading cement companies to contribute to building the sustainable world of tomorrow. GCCA India is affiliated to the Global Cement & Concrete Association – GCCA. More information about GCCA is available at https://gccassociation.org/

About TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, multi-dimensional organisation with capabilities in research, policy, consultancy, and implementation. It has pioneered conversations and action in the energy, environment, climate change, and sustainability space for over five decades.

The institute’s research and research-based solutions have had a transformative impact on industry and communities. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has regional centres and campuses in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai, Panaji, and Nainital. It is supported by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists, and engineers and state-of-the-art infrastructure.