The Global Cement and Concrete Association’s 2024 CEO Gathering was held on June 4 in Bangkok, attended by 200 CEOs and leaders from the world’s leading cement and concrete manufacturers, focused on decarbonising the industry. Global policymakers including governments of canada, uae, thailand, global economists and built environment leaders are meeting cement and concrete industry ceos at this conference to discuss how to build the sustainable built environment of the future. Chen Guoqing, Executive Vice President of the China Building Materials federation, was invited to attend the event and delivered a speech.
Mr. Chen introduce the background and advocacy of carbon emission reduction in China's building materials industry,carbon emission reduction pathway and progress in china's building materials industry and China's building materials industry’s overall planning and exploring pathways to carbon neutrality. He said, China is the world largest producer and consumer of building materials, building materials industry a key sector for carbon dioxide emissions, especially the cement industry, is the primary source. The Chinese government has established the comprehensive policy framework promoting dual carbon development. Efforts are being made to accelerate the achievement of the "dual carbon" goals through enhancing the research, development, and application of key green low-carbon technologies and equipment, promoting energy-saving and carbon-reduction renovations, adjusting the energy structure, deeply tapping into the recycling of resources, advancing the application of CCUS technology, developing the cement carbon trading market, and strengthening international exchanges and cooperation. He emphasize that as the goals for advancing dual carbon objectives in the building materials industry, CBMF has put forward the requirements for the construction of "Six-Zero" demonstration factories, emphasizing zero purchased electricity, zero fossil energy, zero primary resources, zero carbon emissions, zero waste emissions, and zero staff. This initiative specifies the tangible goals and value orientation for advancing dual carbon objectives in the building materials industry, which has been recognized and encouraged by the Chinese government. He introduced that CBMF is ready to enhance communication and deepen cooperation with GCCA and other international counterparts, jointly promoting the low-carbon development of the global building materials industry and contributing the strength of China's building materials industry in addressing global climate change.
Her Excellency Ms Pimphattra Wichaikul, Thailand’s Minister of Industry said: “The irreplaceable nature of the cement and concrete industry to Thailand and the world is clear – providing modern infrastructure, as well as our homes, hospitals, offices and so much more.
“Thailand is one of the first countries in the word with a credible national roadmap for delivering on the cement industry’s net zero commitments. Key to success is innovation, cross-sectorial cooperation, strong leadership with clear targets and international collaboration to drive policy and implementation.”
Fernando González, CEO of Cemex and President of the GCCA said: “As leaders of this essential global industry, we know the importance of the role our materials play in building sustainable and resilient communities, as well as the infrastructure that our changing world will need in the following years. We have strong commitments and are already delivering the goal of building a more sustainable industry, and by working with governments, policymakers, built environment experts and other key players we have the opportunity to accelerate our progress in this important ‘decade to deliver’.”
The industry, however, cannot reach Net Zero without the support and engagement of countries across the Global South. As part of its decarbonisation agenda, the GCCA is working closely with the UN’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which supports countries in economic and industrial development. To coincide with the conference in Bangkok, UNIDO is unveiling a new package of investment, technical and other support, to help Thailand decarbonise its own cement industry.
Delivering enabling policies to underpin the transition is a major focus of the conference and the recently launched Cement Breakthrough initiative is also participating in the conference with workshops and deep-dives on policy taking place, along with a key address from the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. His Excellency, Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is representing the Breakthrough Co-chairs governments at the conference.
Thomas Guillot, the GCCA’s CEO said: “Despite our industry’s efforts, challenges remain if we are to reach our shared goal of net zero concrete, including policy and procurement issues. We welcome the support of organisations like Cement Breakthrough and UNIDO, especially in the Global South, and the efforts of the Thai, and other governments, to work with us to overcome these issues. Only by working together will we be able to deliver on our global commitment to deliver net-zero concrete.”
Sun Xingshou, Chief Economist and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Building Materials Federation, and Shen Yulu, Director of the International Cooperation Department, attended the forum.
