Cement and Concrete in Net Zero

1. Global Cement & Concrete Association Expands Collaboration to Accelerate Net Zero

Background:

Cement and concrete together account for nearly 7% of global CO₂ emissions, making them one of the hardest-to-abate industrial sectors. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has been leading the industry’s 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, focusing on cleaner technologies, alternative materials, and carbon capture solutions. However, real progress requires coordinated efforts across the entire construction value chain from suppliers to builders and policymakers.

Latest Development:
To enable this, the GCCA has launched a new membership category Net Zero Value Chain Partners (NZVCP) aimed at fostering broader collaboration across the ecosystem. The program extends membership beyond cement and concrete producers to include equipment suppliers, admixture companies, infrastructure providers for carbon capture, and solution developers.
Early members include CDE, KHD, Master Builders Solutions, Saint-Gobain, Schneider Electric, and Sinoma International, signaling momentum for a value chain-wide decarbonization effort.
“Concrete is the essential material underpinning our modern world. It makes great sense to engage more deeply with those who provide our industry equipment, services, and solutions,” said Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive.

Through this expansion, the GCCA seeks to drive joint programs, working groups, and innovation partnerships that bring the cement industry closer to its net zero ambition.

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1. Net-Zero Banking Alliance Winds Down Amid Realignment of Global Climate Finance

Background:
The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) was launched in 2021 under the UN’s Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). It united over 140 banks representing $74 trillion in assets, all committed to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net zero by 2050. However, rising political backlash against ESG initiatives particularly in the U.S. and diverging interpretations of climate commitments have put pressure on several financial coalitions in recent years.

Latest Development:
In a major shift, the NZBA has announced it will cease operations, following a vote by its member banks. The coalition will transition from a membership-based alliance to a non-binding guidance framework, maintaining public resources for banks to set and implement their own net zero targets.

The move follows the exit of major global banks including Goldman Sachs, HSBC, UBS, and Barclays, many citing regulatory and political complexities.

While the closure may appear as a setback, experts see it as a recalibration of climate finance strategy. According to Gill Lofts, Global Sustainable Finance Leader at EY,
“This shift is not a retreat from climate action but a strategic course correction opening the door to broader global participation, particularly from emerging markets.”

This development mirrors similar restructurings across the GFANZ ecosystem, including the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and Net Zero Insurance Alliance, marking a transition from ambitious pledges to practical frameworks enabling capital mobilization for low-carbon transitions.

ESG Insight:
Both developments signal a maturing global approach to net zero from pledge-based alliances to collaborative, action-oriented frameworks. Whether in cement manufacturing or financial services, the emphasis is shifting toward inclusivity, innovation, and implementation as the next phase of the global sustainability transition unfolds.

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