Cement industry to complete decarbonization plan soon

The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CeMAP) said it is looking to present a decarbonization roadmap for the industry to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which the Philippines chairs this year.

CeMAP President and Vice Chairman John Reinier H. Dizon said the group is working with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in preparing a roadmap that will help reduce the industry’s carbon emissions.

“It is almost done … We will finish it next month, before the end of February,” he told reporters last week.

“We will try to present it at the ASEAN … We will be the second in the region,” he added, noting that the first such plan was completed by Thailand.

Under the roadmap, the Philippine cement industry will set a target every five years between 2030 and 2050, with net-zero as the ultimate goal.

“Cement and concrete in general contribute to around 6-7% of greenhouse gas, but we need cement to build houses and roads, so we are just doing our part on how we can reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.

The group aims to achieve the plan’s targets via the increased usage of alternative fuels, among others.

“Typically we use coal, which is fossil-based. And of course, it emits carbon dioxide,” he said.

He added that the process of cooking the limestone used for cement, also produces carbon dioxide.

“We have two main actions: we want to introduce more alternative fuels, and in the production of cement, we want to use less clinker,” he said.

In particular, he said that the industry is looking at waste-to-energy as an alternative, noting its role in reducing waste.

He said that the roadmap is also aligned with recently signed laws: the New Government Procurement Reform Act and the Tatak Pinoy Act.

Source: Business World