CSI and IFC collaborate on low carbon growth in Indian cement sector

Focus on India

In preparation for the forthcoming Low Carbon Technology Roadmap for the Indian Cement Industry, member companies of the WBCSD CSI and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed a cooperation agreement to support low carbon investment in the Indian cement sector. The Indian roadmap is to be launched later this year and will be the first to focus on a specific industrial sector in a single country.

The new roadmap

WBCSD CSI’s 2009 Global Cement Technology roadmap, produced together with the International Energy Agency (IEA) was the first of its kind to take a sectoral approach to emissions reduction up to 2050. It estimated at the cement industry could reduce its direct emissions by 18% from 2005 levels by 2050.

The IFC’s support has broadened the horizons of the roadmap project. IFC involvement will enable Indian members of the CSI to look at ways in which emissions reduction technologies could be used at their plants, whether that be related to energy efficiency, upgrading technology, material conservation, etc.

CSI and IFC comments

Announcing the agreement, Philippe Fonta, Managing Director of the CSI, said: “I’m delighted to see the roadmap project co-chair companies sign cooperation agreements with IFC, to assess practical implementation of low carbon technologies at specific plants. Through this, member companies in India continue to contribute to CSI’s global efforts to lead the industry to a lower carbon future. With 25 members in over 100 countries, CSI can reach out to the cement industry globally and will share the learning from this important work in India with the industry more broadly.”

Ramesh Ramanathan, Manager, (Manufacturing, Agri business and services), IFC South Asia said: “While public policy responses are critical in addressing climate change, the private sector also plays a leading role in providing innovative business solutions. IFC works with domestic and international partners to catalyze resources and help business fill financing and knowledge gaps in areas such as renewable energy and efficient technologies. We view the roadmap project as a unique initiative to share best practices in sustainability.”

The IEA is once again involved in the development of this roadmap, which is being led by CSI member companies in India. These are: ACC Ltd, Ambuja Cements, Dalmia Bharat Cement Ltd, HeidelbergCement India Ltd, Jaypee Cements Ltd, Lafarge India Private Ltd, My Home Industries Ltd / CRH, Shree Cement, Shree Digvijay Cement Co Ltd – Cimpor Group, UltraTech Cement and Zuari Cement. Technical consultancy is being provided by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB).The global Cement Technology Roadmap 2009 is available at: www.wbcsdcement.org/technology.

Adapted from press release by Katherine Markham.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/07082012/ifc_and_csi_cooperate_on_india_1187/