Votorantim Cimentos establishes commitment to fight climate change

The global cement industry presented on 8 December during the COP21 – a meeting of world leaders on climate change that took place in Paris - a new commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

The document entitled ‘Low Carbon Technology Partnerships Initiative (LCTPi), the WBCSD, counsel representing the business community on climate change initiatives’, brings a set of action plans to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. The report identifies the barriers that industry faces, what needs to be done, by whom and when, aiming industry transition to a low carbon economy.

According to the CSI (Cement Sustainability Initiative), arm of WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) that includes the largest global cement companies, over 16 companies have already endorsed the commitment. "The CSI members work to leverage the implementation of solutions for most cement companies in the world. Engaging the entire sector would amount to further reduce about 1 Giga ton of CO2 by 2030, which was approximately the same amount of total emissions of Germany in 2013", said Philippe Fonta, CEO of CSI in the WBCSD.

Among the actions to mitigate emissions, the report indicates expanding the use of alternative fuels, replacement of cement components, development of new products with low carbon and look at the production process, as well as expansion of knowledge exchanges between CSI member companies.

Walter Dissinger, global CEO of Votorantim Cimentos, the conversations in cop21 represents the beginning of a new phase for the sector. "Combining efforts and stakeholders enables low carbon technology initiatives to be successfully implemented," he says. Votorantim Cimentos has an example of the development of technologies in adding natural substitutes and even waste from other industries to the production process, improving the eco-efficiency. The company uses pozzolan from calcinated clay as a substitute for clinker in some of its units, and is replacing fossil fuels with biomass, matter generated by timber industries, agricultural and sugarcane, for over 10 years. "The involvement of the supply chain is essential for reducing emissions. It is simply not possible to achieve strong sustainable growth without taking consistent measures to promote sustainable economy, which involves the development of technologies together and understanding the need of other industries", concludes Dissinger.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/29012016/votorantim-cimentos-commitment-fight-climate-change-407/