Cement carbon dioxide emissions double in last 20 years

According to a new global data shows, cement heat trapping carbon dioxide emissions, a major source of carbon pollution, has doubled in the past 20 years.

In 2021, worldwide emissions due to cement manufacturing for buildings, roads and other infrastructure marked 2.9 billion tonne or 2.6 billion metric tonne of carbon dioxide, more than 7% of the global carbon emissions, as per the Norway's CICERO Centre for International Climate Research and the Global Carbon Project by emissions scientist Robbie Andrew.

Two decades ago, in 2002, cement emissions were around 1.4 billion tonne or 1.2 billion metric tonne of carbon dioxide.

Global cement emissions, driven by China have over tripled since 1992, recently growing at a rate of 2.6% a year. More cement is being produced and used. It comes at a time when all industries need to be cleaning up their processes pertaining to the environment. The cement industry has been going in the opposite direction.

The carbon intensity of cement, pollution emitted per tonne, has now increased to 9.3% between 2015 and 2020, primarily due to China, as stated by the International Energy Agency.

Cement emissions have grown faster in comparison with other carbon sources. They were also unusual as they never dropped during Covid-19.

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