Role of cement and concrete industry in combatting climate change to be discussed at UN Climate Action Summit

Global Cement and Concrete Association to moderate panel discussion focused on industry transition to carbon neutrality

NEW YORK (20 September 2019) – The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) will join national leaders, as well as those from finance, business and civil society, at the 2019 Climate Action Summit to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Convened by the UN Secretary General António Guterres, the Climate Action Summit aims to galvanise action on climate change and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

As part of the summit, GCCA CEO, Benjamin Sporton, has been invited to moderate a session that will consider the cement and concrete industry’s role in combatting climate change. The session will be hosted at the UN Headquarters on Saturday 21 September 2019.

Commenting on the summit, Benjamin Sporton, GCCA CEO said:

“The GCCA and its members are committed to creating an industry that is at the forefront of sustainability and climate protection. To this end, we are delighted to attend the Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit and play our part in finding solutions to this greatest of challenges.

Concrete will play a key role in building the sustainable cities and communities of tomorrow – providing safe homes, clean water and resilient infrastructure. Action taken in our own industry has already seen specific emissions of CO2 decrease by 18% per tonne of cement production since 1990 and through innovation we are dedicated to playing our role in ensuring a future sustainable world.”

The session will focus on areas that require cross-industry and multi-stakeholder collaboration, such as the setting of standards, the development of unified policy goals, and promoting innovation to reduce carbon emissions from cement manufacturing.

Confirmed speakers at the session include:

• Mahendra Singhi, CEO of Dalmia Cement
• Jamie Gentoso, CEO of US Cement, LafargeHolcim
• Ravi S. Prasad, Additional Secretary for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India
• Emma Stewart, Director, Urban Efficiency & Climate and Director, Urban Finance, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

“The industry is showing its commitment and ambition to helping reach the commitments set out under the Paris Agreement,” concluded Mr Sporton. “I will be pleased to share the stage with representatives from our industry to discuss our vision for a sustainable industry.” The cement and concrete session is one of a number dedicated to a range of industries under the theme ‘Industry Transition towards Carbon Neutrality by 2050’.

Media enquiries should be directed to GCCA Communications Director, Paul Adeleke: paul.adeleke@gccassociation.org.

About the GCCA

Launched in January 2018, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is dedicated to developing and strengthening the sector’s contribution to sustainable construction. The GCCA aims to foster innovation throughout the construction value chain in collaboration with industry associations as well as architects, engineers and innovators. In this way, the association demonstrates how concrete solutions can meet global construction challenges and sustainable development goals while showcasing responsible industrial leadership in the manufacture and use of cement and concrete. The GCCA is headquartered in London, England. It complements and supports the work done by associations at national and regional level.