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World’s largest cement company commits to science-based net zero targets

Published September 29, 2020

The world’s largest cement manufacturer, LafargeHolcim, has become the first global building materials company to adopt science-based carbon emissions net zero targets.  

LafargeHolcim joins 290 industrial companies committed to working with SBTi to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C.  

In its 2030 goals, LafargeHolcim commits to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions 21% per ton of cementitious materials from 2018 levels. The company commits to reduce scope 1 GHG emissions 17.5% per ton of cementitious material and scope 2 GHG emissions 65% per ton of cementitious materials within the same timeframe. 

In addition to its pledge to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, LafargeHolcim will expand its actions across its value chain to include scope 3 emissions. In this way, the company expects to reduce its transportation and fuel-related emissions by 20%. 

Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer: “As the world’s largest cement producer, we have a key role to play in addressing today’s climate crisis. On our way to becoming a net zero company, we are not only part of the solution, we are committed to supporting our customers in their CO2-reduction ambitions. No company can tackle today’s climate challenge alone, that’s why we are partnering for impact.” 

By 2030, LafargeHolcim will: 

• Accelerate the use of low-carbon and carbon-neutral products  
• Recycle 100m tons of waste and byproducts for energy and raw materials
• Scale up the use of calcined clay and develop novel cements  
• Double waste-derived fuels in production to reach 37% 
• Reach 475 kg net CO2 per ton of cementitious material (net CO2/t.cem) 
• Operate its first net zero CO2 cement production facility 

The company will increase the use of recycled materials in its products and processes while recovering materials at the end of their life cycle. The company also intends to pilot over 20 carbon capture usage and storage projects across Europe and North America. 

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