Cement association helping drive industry to net-zero
By Adam Freill
Concrete Construction Green ConstructionCAC a founding member of Net-Zero Challenge, which aims to recognize and support businesses transitioning to cleaner operations by 2050.
Speaking from a Cement Association of Canada event at Lafarge Canada’s cement plant in St-Constant, Que., Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, Steven Guilbeault, announced the launch of the Net-Zero Challenge, a new national voluntary initiative for businesses operating in Canada. Businesses that join the challenge commit to developing and implementing credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Businesses planning for the future can see already that it pays to be part of the low-carbon economy of the 21st century. The Net-Zero Challenge is designed to challenge businesses, big and small, to transition to cleaner ways of doing business, and offers both the tools and recognition to support their efforts,” stated Guilbeault. “The Net-Zero Challenge will be backed by solid reporting requirements so that we can be sure that businesses are meeting its high standards. I encourage businesses to look into joining!”
The Cement Association of Canada is one of a dozen founding organizations and companies that have joined Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge. The Canadian cement industry is a prime example of an entire industry that is in the process of transitioning to net-zero emissions, in close collaboration with the Government of Canada.
“Climate change is our industry’s most significant challenge. By charting a credible, transparent path to net-zero emissions, our industry continues its history of leadership in building the sustainable world of tomorrow,” said Adam Auer, president and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada. “We are proud to be a founding participant in the Net-Zero Challenge. It is one more example of our pursuit of proactive partnerships with governments, the construction sector and civil society to support reductions in our carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”
For companies to join and remain in the program, they must meet minimum requirements, submit annual progress reports, and produce five-year updates of their net-zero plans. Companies that fail to meet the requirements will be removed from the program.
Companies will benefit from technical guidance, best practices, a community of peer businesses and the opportunity to highlight their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. The Net-Zero Challenge also includes various participation tiers to encourage ambition and track progress in net-zero planning. The participation tiers begin at the Bronze level and go up to the Diamond level.
Businesses interested in joining the Net-Zero Challenge can learn more by visiting the Net-Zero Challenge website.
Net-Zero Challenge Founding Participants:
- Aviva Canada
- BASF Canada
- Cement Association of Canada (Ash Grove Cement, a CRH Company; Federal White Cement, Ltd.; Lafarge Canada; Lehigh Hanson; and St Marys Cement, a Votorantim Cimentos Company).
- CN
- Edmonton Regional Airports Authority
- General Motors of Canada Company
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Loblaw Companies Limited
- Ottawa International Airport Authority
- Shell Canada Limited
- Vancouver Airport Authority
- Woodfibre LNG Limited
