Representatives of the cement sector in Catalonia, including the president of Ciment Català Salvador Fernández Capo, have participated in the preparatory work for the first Catalan Climate Action Summit, and have attended the joint event held on January 17 in Barcelona. The summit has been a first meeting point to structure a road map, in the short and medium term, that allows to face the climatic emergency with commitments, both from public administrations and from civil society and socio-economic agents. In the case of the cement sector, this commitment coincides with that of the European industry of being carbon neutral 2050 during the life cycle of its products, in line with the European Green Deal last December. The Green Deal foresees the progressive reduction of CO2 emissions until reaching a neutral balance in the middle of the 21st century.
Although currently the carbon footprint of the cement production process is relevant (due to the decarbonation of limestone), this impact can be reduced by innovative techniques, currently under development. On the other hand, this impact is compensated throughout the useful life of buildings and infrastructures made with concrete for their durability, thermal inertia and low maintenance, among other properties, and also for phenomena such as recarbonation, which is a resorption permanent atmospheric CO2. The European industry foresees the use of new emerging technologies, such as carbon capture, storage and use, which, combined with the application of Circular Economy (waste reuse) and efficiency in the use of resources, should allow a reduction 100% potential in 2050.
The first Catalan Climate Action Summit, promoted by the Generalitat with the will to involve institutions, organizations and civil society, has been preceded by a dozen meetings with representatives of different Catalan economic and social sectors. In total, 223 people from 191 companies, organizations and institutions from 21 sectors participated (including the Catalan cement industry). All these entities have been called to join initiatives that contribute to a faster, fairer and more effective transition to an economy with climate neutrality.