Concrete production accounts for around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet progress on decarbonising the sector has stalled. Since 2015, emissions from cement and concrete have even risen slightly, with little change in the emissions intensity of production.
Today, Climate Group’s ConcreteZero campaign has launched a new policy report setting out six Global Policy Priorities to unlock market growth in lower-carbon and net zero concrete - and prevent critical delays in scaling the transition this decade.
The paper draws on market and policy analysis, alongside input from ConcreteZero members and industry experts, to identify where targeted policy reform can remove systemic barriers and accelerate progress at scale.
From commitments to market transformation
ConcreteZero brings together demand-side leaders from across construction, infrastructure, engineering and real estate, all committed to using 100% net zero concrete by 2050, with an ambitious interim target for 2030.
While demand-side leadership has grown, the report finds that market structures, standards and policy frameworks remain misaligned with the transition required. Risk-averse procurement practices, clinker-centric standards and weak cost signals continue to slow investment in lower-carbon solutions.
Read the Global Policy Priorities ,
Six priorities to accelerate action
To close this gap, the report sets out six priorities for governments, standards bodies and policymakers:
- Support material innovation and scale-up, including through carbon pricing, green public procurement and advanced market commitments.
- Accelerate adoption of performance-based standards to enable routes to market for innovative concretes.
- Improve the availability and comparability of embodied carbon data, including through harmonised EPD infrastructure.
- Work towards embodied carbon reporting and regulation, with phased disclosure requirements and carbon limits.
- Establish clear definitions and aligned rating systems to avoid fragmentation and greenwashing.
- Invest in knowledge and skills development to embed carbon literacy across the construction sector.
Why this matters now
Up to 90% of concrete’s emissions come from clinker production. While carbon capture may play a role in the longer term, the report finds that material innovation and clinker displacement offer more immediate, cost-effective emissions reductions.
Without decisive policy action, the sector risks repeating the last decade’s lack of progress - putting global net zero targets at serious risk, particularly in fast-growing markets.
For more information on ConcreteZero and how to join, check out: https://www.theclimategroup.org/concretezero.