Members of the Portland Cement Association have adopted the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions per ton of product by 10% (from 1990 levels) by the year 2020. The goal is consistent with the Bush administration's climate change initiative, termed "Climate VISION," to reduce greenhouse gases through voluntary industry programs.
Cement industry representatives announced the target as administration officials unveiled similar voluntary commitments by other industries.
President Bush called on industries to set voluntary goals as part of his program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% over the next 10 years.
The cement industry is now implementing a three-part program to achieve this goal and to foster reductions by cement users. The three parts, listed below, address the cement manufacturing process, product formulation and product application.
* Reduce emissions through increased efficiency, decreased fuel use, greater use of alternative fuels and raw materials;
* Formulate cements using a lower portion of calcimined material, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions per unit of product; and
* Promote the use of energy-efficient concrete buildings, homes and highways as a solution to climate change.
The carbon dioxide reduction goal is part of the U.S. cement industry's continuous improvement program that sets voluntary emission and waste reduction goals, conducts an environmental awards program and furthers the objective of achieving continuous improvement in environmental performance.
