Cement manufacturers are among the leading producers of climate-damaging carbon dioxide among industries outside the energy sector. Cement and concrete makers, under pressure from regulators and investors, are now setting ambitious goals to reduce emissions.
Carbon
The cement industry’s carbon problem
Global direct CO2 emissions by industry, 2000 to 2018
8 gigatonnes
Other industry
6
Chemicals,
petrochemicals
4
Iron and steel
2
Cement
0
2000
‘02
‘04
‘06
‘08
‘10
‘12
‘14
‘16
‘18
8 gigatonnes
Other industry
6
Chemicals, petrochemicals
4
Iron and steel
2
Cement
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
8 gigatonnes
Other industry
6
Chemicals, petrochemicals
4
Iron and steel
2
Cement
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
8 gigatonnes
Other industry
6
Chemicals, petrochemicals
4
Iron and steel
2
Cement
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
8 gigatonnes
Other industry
6
Chemicals, petrochemicals
4
Iron and steel
2
Cement
0
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
The concrete industry emits more C02 than most countries.
Total C02 emissions in 2018 by country
China
10.06 gigatonnes
United States
5.41
India
2.65
Concrete industry
2.26
Russia
1.71
Japan
1.16
Germany
0.75
Iran
0.72
South Korea
0.65
Saudi Arabia
0.62
Indonesia
0.61
China
10.06 gigatonnes
United States
5.41
India
2.65
Concrete industry
2.26
Russia
1.71
Japan
1.16
Germany
0.75
Iran
0.72
South Korea
0.65
Saudi Arabia
0.62
Indonesia
0.61
China
10.06 gigatonnes
United States
5.41
India
2.65
Concrete industry
2.26
Russia
1.71
Japan
1.16
Germany
0.75
Iran
0.72
South Korea
0.65
Saudi Arabia
0.62
Indonesia
0.61
China
10.06 gigatonnes
United States
5.41
India
2.65
Concrete industry
2.26
Russia
1.71
Japan
1.16
Germany
0.75
Iran
0.72
South Korea
0.65
Saudi Arabia
0.62
Indonesia
0.61
China
10.06 gigatonnes
United States
5.41
India
2.65
Concrete industry
2.26
Russia
1.71
Japan
1.16
Germany
0.75
Iran
0.72
South Korea
0.65
Saudi Arabia
0.62
Indonesia
0.61
Graphic by
Chris Canipe
Source
International Energy Agency