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June 12, 2020
The federal government is planning to set minimum standards for the carbon footprint of all concrete used in federal construction projects, in an effort to push the industry to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Starting in 2021, Ottawa wants all cement used in federal projects be of a type that produces 10 percent fewer emissions than regular cement. It’s also considering setting limits on the carbon intensity of concrete purchased by the federal government.
The production of cement, the key binding agent in concrete, is an emissions-intensive process. According to a request for information posted Tuesday to the federal government’s procurement website, the world produces more than 4 billion metric tons of cement annually, accounting for 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
“We’ve been lobbying or advocating to this government for the last five years, that in addition to the carbon-pricing mechanisms that they have at their disposal, like a carbon tax … that there are other options out there to reduce greenhouse gases at no cost to the taxpayer,” said Michael McSweeney, president of the Cement Association of Canada.
The cement production process involves heating limestone to high temperatures, generally using fossil fuels like coal. The heat causes the limestone to break down and release carbon dioxide — a second source of emissions. But some manufacturers have begun mixing ground-up limestone into the cement to form a slightly modified product known as Portland limestone cement, which produces 10 percent fewer emissions at no additional cost.
McSweeney said Portland limestone cement is used in less than 5 percent of construction projects across Canada — because of “white male engineers” who are “very resistant to change,” he claimed. “If we don’t get government to mandate the use of this, then it will be a longer uptake in the market.”
According to the request for information, the government is looking to phase in a requirement for Portland limestone cement over 12 months, starting in 2021. Ottawa is also considering requiring all concrete purchased by the federal government to come with an environmental product declaration — essentially a life-cycle assessment of the concrete’s environmental impact. In addition, the government may set maximum carbon intensity limits on concrete for federal projects, to further drive down emissions. As of yet, there is no timeline attached to those proposals. The government is currently looking for feedback from concrete suppliers, architects and engineers.
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