Cembureau voices concern over EU GHG targets

On 23-24 October the European Council will decide on the 2030 climate and energy framework, including targets for GHG emissions reduction, renewables and energy efficiency.

The targets are expected to impose a 43 per cent cut for ETS sectors, placing a significant additional burden on these sectors when compared with non-ETS sectors, which have a 30 per cent reduction target, according to Cembureau, the European cement association.

The association further says that the targets “do not take into account the technological potential of process industries as laid out, for the cement industry, in the CEMBUREAU Roadmap; the cement industry sets forth a 32 per cent reduction potential by 2050 which can be increased if breakthrough technologies can benefit from public funding to cover the significant financial and technical risks. If successful, such breakthrough can only be commercialised after 2030; the cement industry is keen to engage in a discussion on how the potential for reduction set out in its Roadmap relates to the EU's proposed 43 per cent target.”

Moreover, it stated that the targets are no longer made conditional upon the conclusion of an international agreement in which other jurisdictions engage in comparable reduction efforts.

The association added that its cement kilns are fired by a fuel mix that includes 32 per cent alternative fuels, strongly contributing to Europe’s resource and energy efficiency, and that through its end-product, concrete, enables the construction of infrastructure and housing that uses up to 75 per cent less energy due to its thermal mass properties. “The cement sector will be able to play its crucial role in the re-launch of Europe’s economy if its competitiveness is preserved through a regulatory framework which secures a global level playing field, prevents the risk of carbon and investment leakage and allows access to affordable energy,” it said in a statement.