Canada launches the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative at COP28

The breakthrough initiative solidifies Canada's position as a global champion for the adoption of low-carbon cement and concrete

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and His Excellency Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the launch of the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative at COP28 in Dubai. This initiative reaffirms Canada's commitment to working with countries, businesses and international partner organizations to accelerate investments in the technologies, tools and policies that the cement and concrete industry needs to realize net-zero solutions by 2050.

Co-led by Canada and the UAE, this breakthrough initiative will enable countries to share best practices on a range of policies and other measures to decarbonize the cement and concrete sector. It will engage a variety of partners at the global level, providing an opportunity for Canada to drive the adoption of low-carbon cement products and solutions that build on the global recognition of Canada's Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050.

Together with endorsing countries, international partners and the global cement and concrete industry, the breakthrough initiative will lead a shift that will make clean cement the preferred choice in global markets.

"Innovation and investments in clean technology are crucial to building a competitive green economy. As a global leader in research and innovation, Canada is a key player in the net-zero carbon economy and is committed to laying the foundation of a competitive green cement and concrete industry that will create green jobs and build a clean future for all Canadians and the world. With the breakthrough initiative, we will help pave the way to achieve net-zero carbon cement and concrete by 2050."
? The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Canada is committed to working with partners to accelerate the decarbonization of key sectors, including cement. The Breakthrough Agenda is an ambitious action plan for international collaboration to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions more affordable and accessible. It provides an opportunity to support and strengthen Canadian industry in its efforts to achieve net zero by 2050."
? The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"We support and welcome the launch of the cement breakthrough initiative. Cement and concrete are essential for so much of our modern world and will also be needed for meeting the challenges ahead. They will play a key role in providing resilient and sustainable infrastructure and safely housing communities around our planet. Our member companies, which operate all around the world, are fully committed to a net zero future?and it will take the combined efforts of industry and government to deliver on this commitment. This is the decade to deliver, and we are delighted to work with the cement breakthrough initiative and the Government of Canada to accelerate the transition."
? Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the Global Cement and Concrete Association

• With the launch of the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative, Canada and the UAE issued a joint ministerial statement underlining their dedication to further decarbonization in the sector.
• Created in 2022 at COP26, the Breakthrough Agenda provides a framework for initiatives that enable countries to accelerate decarbonization actions, beginning in five key sectors of the economy: power,
• road transport, steel, hydrogen and agriculture.
• With the launch of two additional breakthrough initiatives at COP28?buildings, and cement and concrete?the Breakthrough Agenda now cover sectors responsible for more than 60% of global emissions.
• A growing number of countries have joined Canada and the UAE to endorse the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative, including Germany, Japan, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
• Canada's leading role in the Cement & Concrete Breakthrough initiative is part of the Action Plan to 2030.
• Canada's Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050 aligns with Canada's Emissions Reductions Plan?an ambitious plan to fight climate change while bringing sustainable, lasting economic prosperity to Canada, which charts a credible path to emissions that are 40% lower than 2005 levels by 2030.
• Budgets 2022 and 2023 introduced new measures to help increase the commercialization and deployment of low-carbon technologies and resources and to support the continued growth of clean technology businesses across Canada, including $15 billion for the Canada Growth Fund to accelerate the investment of private capital in decarbonization and cleantech projects, help promote the diversification of Canada's economy, help meet Canada's climate targets and strengthen Canada's economic resilience and capacity.
• Cement production in Canada was valued at more than $1.3 billion in 2019.
• Cement is a significant source of industrial CO2 emissions around the world, representing 26% of global industrial sector CO2 emissions in 2019.

Ministerial Statement

Canada and the United Arab Emirates leading global push for decarbonization of cement 

The two countries launch joint breakthrough initiative on cement and concrete at COP28

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, issued the following joint statement today:

"Today, Canada and the United Arab Emirates launched the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough?an unmatched international initiative to accelerate investments in the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector through deeper, global collaboration. 

"Canada and the United Arab Emirates are committed to championing this initiative, building on existing channels for industrial decarbonization cooperation in order to support rapid and large-scale emissions reductions in this key industrial sector.

"We underscore the scope of the challenge, given the prevalence of cement and concrete in the built environment worldwide, and we invite our international counterparts to join these efforts by endorsing this breakthrough's agenda.

"Today marks a significant moment for us as we launch this breakthrough initiative with the overarching goal of making clean cement the preferred choice in global markets and with the objective of having near-zero emission cement production established and growing in every region of the world by 2030. All countries endorsing this initiative will commit to supporting this goal.

"Together, we will pursue three pillars of work for the breakthrough initiative in 2024: 

1. Agree with partner countries on priority actions to measurably advance decarbonization in the cement and concrete sector
2. Convene thematic dialogues to share best practices in the sector with the involvement of developed and emerging economies
3. Facilitate the leadership of governmental, private sector and non-governmental partners in achieving the overarching goal of the initiative

"Canada and the United Arab Emirates are pleased to launch this work alongside the inaugural cohort of endorsing countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and Germany. By growing participation and building on the experience of the founding members, the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough initiative is well placed to accelerate decarbonization efforts in the sector. 

"We also underline the substantial role for industry in this initiative's work and will actively seek insights from all participants on pragmatic and effective pathways to reduce emissions within the sector.

"Canada and the United Arab Emirates believe that through innovation and deeper collaboration, the world can reach its goal of a global net-zero cement and concrete sector to help ensure a cleaner future for all."

• Government of Canada and Cement Association of Canada launch Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050
• Budget 2022: A Plan to Grow Our Economy and Make Life More Affordable
• Clean technology: Canada's clean technology plan, investments and innovations for a clean growth future
• A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy: Canada's strengthened climate plan to create jobs and support people, communities and the planet
• Greening Government Strategy: A Government of Canada Directive
• Greening government

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