After water, concrete is the world’s most consumed material and is the mainstay of construction everywhere, and concrete production’s impact on the environment is significant. Researchers have discovered that introducing an inexpensive, readily available ingredient into its production may make concrete a climate solution rather than a climate villain.

As a construction material, concrete has many advantages: it’s very strong, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive. But its downside is that it’s not very environmentally friendly. Concrete production is the single largest industrial cause of carbon pollution, accounting for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Concrete is made by mixing cement with aggregate, a grainy blend of materials like stone and sand. Firing limestone, clay, and other materials in a kiln creates that familiar gray powder, ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Carbon dioxide is emitted when the material is fired and from the chemical reaction that takes place when the mixture is exposed to heat. According to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, each pound (0.45 kg) of concrete produced releases 0.93 pounds (0.42 kg) of carbon dioxide.

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