As governments move toward rebuilding resilient infrastructure and economies we must ensure that those plans shape our current and future economies in ways that are clean, green, safe, and above all resilient. With consideration of state and federal “Buy Clean” legislation, building material manufacture must adapt to stricter greenhouse gas emission regulations. The environmental impact of those materials during manufacture, while in the use phase, the end-of-life phase and beyond (LIFE-CYCLE), will play an important role in attaining our GHG goals going forward.

Cement and concrete provide resilience to the effects of climate change and resultant disasters while reducing CO2 emissions and attaining GHG reduction targets. Reducing GHG is an opportunity for a profound paradigm shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both the planet and its inhabitants. As the most widely used material on earth, after water, concrete is fundamental to the world around us. Cement and concrete products will play a vital role in addressing the effects of climate change.

Constructing and operating our built environment makes up a significant part of our economy, our resource consumption, and its environmental impact. How will environmental considerations and construction practices in the future affect what we build and how we build? What are the cement and concrete industries doing to reduce CO2 and GHG emissions to address climate change? The circular economy, biodiversity crisis and carbon challenge, together in a changing world, all impact on the answer.

Speakers:

• Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director, Global Cement and Concrete Association
• Rick Bohan, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Portland Cement Association
• Adam Auer, President and CEO, Cement Association of Canada