December 21, 2020
Exposé GmbH/AdobeStock
Climate change, the Paris Agreement and talk of saving the planet have, for many years, been highly politicized topics. Viewpoints have differed greatly, and few have been willing to risk relationships with customers, vendors and others to take a stance on the issue. Major industries such as construction, building materials and heavy machinery, until now, were relatively quiet on the issue.
Taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to lower the global temperature increase, as the Paris Agreement aims to do — to limit global warming well below 2° Celsius and as close to 1.5° Celsius as possible — have long been considered a political move. Few in the manufacturing and industrial sectors world have been willing to rock the boat and publicly embrace the Paris Agreement. When it comes to the concrete and cement industry, some have questioned the need to change. After all, concrete is the most used building material, second only to water. Cement and concrete are so widely used because they are effective; they are affordable, accessible, highly durable and long lasting. Concrete is also celebrated for its thermal mass, its ability to absorb and store heat energy, moderating temperature extremes in buildings, requiring less energy use.