Concrete New Zealand (NZ) reports that an independent review by Australian sustainability consultancy Thinkstep found that New Zealand’s concrete industry is on track to meet climate change commitments made under the Paris Agreement. Chief executive Rob Gaimster confirms that Concrete New Zealand is “fully committed to becoming net carbon neutral by the Government’s target date of 2050”.

According to Thinkstep’s review, the concrete industry in New Zealand is halfway to it’s goal of a 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, having reduced emissions from cement by 15 per cent between 2005 and 2018. Gaimster notes that these positive changes came despite a 13 per cent increase in demand.

“We are pleased that our initiatives to reduce cement’s carbon footprint have avoided about 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2018 alone,” he says.

A variety of changes have been implemented by the industry to reduce emissions including using waste products like wood biomass and tyres to fuel cement kilns.

Gaimster explains, “A game-changer for the industry here in New Zealand is that we have available, naturally occurring minerals that can be used to replace a percentage of cement clinker, which is the main ingredient of concrete production associated with carbon dioxide emissions.

“Waste from other industries can also be used to lower the cement clinker content in concrete and help to significantly reduce concrete’s carbon footprint.

“At the same time, moving to new technologies, such as more energy-efficient equipment and vehicles to produce and transport concrete, is part of our plan to be net carbon neutral by 2050.”

Concrete NZ asserts that the material – which is the second most consumed substance in the world behind water – is essential in our society. “Our kids walk to school on concrete footpaths, they learn in schools that rest on concrete foundations, we receive healthcare in hospitals built from concrete, and many of us work in concrete buildings.

“As we adapt to climate change and our planet warms, concrete will offer protection against fire and floods, while its mass will help regulate the internal temperature of buildings to reduce our reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning.”

They also point out the potential environmental benefits: “Concrete structures actually act as carbon sinks; they can also be recycled, redesigned and repurposed. Concrete structures require little maintenance and won’t rot or burn.”

Gaimster concludes, “Our industry knows how important concrete is to everyone’s future wellbeing. That’s why we’re working so hard to reduce our carbon footprint and maximise the benefits of concrete.”