The entire world was looking at the 26th edition of Conference of Parties (COP26) with high expectations.

The entire world was looking at the 26th edition of Conference of Parties (COP26) with high expectations. With almost 200 countries weighing in with their outlook on carbon emissions, COP26 achieved in voicing opinions but lacked in concrete decisions. The outcome of the summit received mixed reactions – from Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg summarising it as ‘blah blah blah’ to 151 countries submitting their new climate plans to slash their emissions by 2030. However, at the end of it all, it was concluded that climate action is imminent, and we cannot delay it any further.

Intrinsically cement is an energy intensive material and moreover its production uses large amounts of non-renewable materials. The manufacturing of cement generates between 5 to 10 per cent of the harmful anthropogenic gases that impact the climate negatively. With the world production of cement estimated to reach 5 billion tonnes by 2030, there seems to be an alarming situation in the future. Therefore, cement industriesand buildings professionals are advocating for the use of industrial by-products and environment friendly materials that could mitigate the negative impacts threatening sustainable development.

A report by McKinsey states that the cement industry alone is responsible for about a quarter of all industry CO2 emissions, and it also generates the most CO2 emissions per dollar of revenue. This puts cement production at the centre of the eye of the storm. The UK, India, Germany, Canada and UAE have committed to support new markets for low carbon steel, cement and concrete at COP26.

Ian Riley, CEO, World Cement Association, while speaking at the Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF), called upon governments to encourage faster adoption of low-carbon technologies. This has paved the way for more innovations in the field and I am positive that India will be at the forefront of it with cement manufacturers and technology start-ups pitching in with their respective expertise.

Closer home, there has been a spike in cement prices, which will have a domino effect on the construction industry. According to CRISIL, rising input costs have pushed the cement prices through the roof. All commodities, for various reasons, are on a spiral. Now only demand dynamics can bring stability.

Who would have believed in March 2020 that even in January 2022 we would be seeking succour from the pandemic? Yet by some twist of fate, sustainability and climate change have received larger acceptance during this period.

At Indian Cement Review, we bring you a comprehensive take on decarbonising the cement industry with both Indian and global perspectives in this annual issue. The industry has fared well through the trying times of 2020 and 2021, and while we are poised for a successful and sustainable year 2022, we have a responsibility to fulfil.

Pratap Padode, Founder & Editor in Chief