New CO2 targets: “from materials to buildings”

Today Lafarge announced new CO₂ targets. These are divided into two key areas:

• A 33% reduction of CO₂ emissions per ton of cement produced by the end of 2020, compared with 1990 levels;
• An innovative sustainable construction commitment based on solutions that enable the design of “low-energy” buildings that will be used tomorrow.

These objectives have been developed by Lafarge within the framework of its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Cut CO₂ emissions by 33% per ton of cement by end-2020 (base 1990)

As a first step, in the context of its partnership with WWF International, Lafarge had committed to reducing its CO₂ emissions per ton of cement by 20% between 1990 and 2010. Not only was this target met one year ahead of schedule in 2009, but it was also exceeded, as the Group achieved a 21.7% reduction in its CO₂ emissions per ton of cement at the end of 2010. Today, every ton of cement produced by Lafarge emits an average of 606 kg of CO₂, 168 kg less than in 1990.

Thanks to its new target of cutting CO₂ emissions by 33% per ton of cement produced, the Group will emit an average of 518 kg of CO₂ per ton of cement produced in 2020, around 250 kg less than in 1990.

Develop innovative solutions for sustainable construction by 2015

Buildings currently account for 40% of global primary energy consumption; reducing this is one of the key challenges of efforts to combat climate change. This energy is mainly consumed through its daily use during the lifetime of the building. Lafarge is therefore undertaking to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce their carbon footprint, by setting clear objectives for 2015:

• Develop 10 new ranges of innovative construction products or solutions, from its research projects.
• Contribute to the design of 500 construction projects that are more energy-efficient.

Following the announcement of these new objectives, Bruno Lafont, Chairman and CEO of Lafarge, commented: "Lafarge has made the reduction of its CO₂ emissions a major objective, and has met its commitments. I am pleased with our partnership with WWF, which helps us to progress even faster. It is no longer a matter of just reducing the CO₂ emitted in the production of our materials, but also of developing construction solutions for buildings that consume less energy.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/24062011/new_co2_targets/