Science, research and innovation are playing a key role in Canada’s move toward a cleaner and stronger economy and in our fight against climate change. Working with industry—including the cement and concrete sector—is critical to creating economic opportunities for Canadians, growing our leadership in clean technologies and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Marie Glenn, Chair of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC); and Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the CAC, issued a joint statement by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cement sector to support a roadmap to net-zero carbon concrete. This partnership and the resulting roadmap will position Canada’s cement and concrete industry to become a global leader in low-carbon cement and concrete production and related clean technologies.
The roadmap will provide Canadian industry with guidance on technologies, tools and policies needed to reach net–zero carbon concrete by 2050, including on:
The work of this partnership will align with, and inform, the objective of the Greening Government Strategy: having the Government of Canada transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations.
In keeping with the Greening Government Strategy, the government is showing leadership on the procurement of low–carbon building materials, including cement and concrete products. By buying these products, the government will support their availability, thus strengthening green supply chains and improving Canada’s capacity to bring low-carbon concrete solutions to market.
This initiative aligns with the goals of Canada’s strengthened climate plan—”A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy”—as well as Budget 2021, both of which identify the decarbonization of Canada’s cement and concrete sector as a way to secure our clean industrial advantage and clean-growth future.
Quotes
“Innovation, science and technology are providing solutions to many of the challenging issues we face today. Through this partnership with the Cement Association of Canada, we are helping to make Canada a global leader in green concrete. We will work with the cement and concrete sector to take on a leadership role in the fight against climate change, while creating good jobs and driving Canada’s economic recovery.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The government is doing its part to find ways to build a more resilient future that will lead to a safer, cleaner world. Through the Greening Government Strategy, the government has targeted a 30% reduction in embodied carbon for structural materials in major construction projects. Green procurement for building materials like cement will help us lower emissions and meet our federal goal of net zero by 2050.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board
“The Canadian cement and concrete industry has consistently supported strong action on climate change. We proactively champion not only innovation in the manufacturing of cement and concrete but also innovative partnerships to advance the policy solutions needed to meet Canada’s climate objectives. We are delighted to announce today a strengthened partnership with the Government of Canada to accelerate the decarbonization of our sector and enhance our capacity to deliver the durable, resilient, safe and zero-carbon buildings and infrastructure of the future.”
– Marie Glenn, Chair, Cement Association of Canada
“Cement and concrete have stood the test of time, laying a literal foundation upon which our communities have grown and prospered. But now our industry must face society’s greatest challenge: climate change. With Canada forecasted to use at least 55 million tons of cement over the next five years, this collaboration with Minister Champagne and his team is a significant step forward, helping to position Canada as a global leader by supporting the technology, tools and policies needed to realize our ambition of net-zero concrete by 2050.”
– Michael McSweeney, President and CEO, Cement Association of Canada
“The National Research Council of Canada is committed to supporting the Canadian construction industry’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to working with our partners on this roadmap to net-zero carbon cement and concrete through our research and development expertise.”
– Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council of Canada
“Standards are critical to ensuring Canada has the tools to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Standards Council of Canada, in collaboration with our vast network of partners, is committed to ensuring that the concrete industry is supported by codes and standards needed to foster innovation and move toward net zero. We are eager to work with our government partners to ensure that the latest state-of-the-art research and approaches are backed by standards.”
– Chantal Guay, CEO, Standards Council of Canada
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