Cement industry CO2 standards

The world's largest cement producers have established common emissions reporting and monitoring standards as part of the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), organised under the auspices of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

The new guidelines include a standard protocol for the measuring and reporting of CO2 emissions, along with nitrous oxides, sulphur compounds and particulates. In addition, the CSI has developed a system to help cement plants report health and safety issues accurately and consistently.

Also available are guidelines on the use of fuels and raw materials and an environmental and social impact process to help companies work with communities throughout the cycle of development, operation and closure of cement facilities.

The CSI was formed in 2002 by ten of the world's largest cement producers; Cemex (Mexico), Cimpor (Portugal), Heidelberg Cement (Germany), Holcim (Switzerland), Italcementi (Italy), Lafarge (France), RMC (UK), Siam Cement (Thailand), Taiheiyo Cement (Japan) and Votorantim (Brazil). Since then, Cemex has acquired RMC, and the original members have been joined by Ash Grove Cement (US), CRH (Ireland), Gujarat Ambuja (India), Secil (Portugal), Shree Cement (India), Titan (Greece) and Uniland (Spain).

These 16 companies operate in a total of 70 countries, and represent 50% of the world's cement production capacity outside China. Despite the lack of participation from Chinese producers, inroads are being made in the country on environmental issues.

Documents and protocols developed by the CSI are freely available to any cement manufacturer.

For more information, visit: www.wbcsdcement.org