A historic agreement to hasten the global cement industry’s decarbonisation has been signed by two major bodies of the industry.

China Cement Association (CCA), which represents more than 50 per cent of the world’s cement production and the Global Cement and Concrete Association, whose members account for 80 per cent of cement production capacity outside of China, have signed a historic partnership pledge.

The pledge includes an agreement to work together on sustainability, and the low-carbon development of the cement and concrete industry.

Concrete is the world’s most used material on earth after water, and cement is the key binding in concrete, which accounts for around 7 per cent of global CO2 emissions.

The historic agreement will also see the development, and launch later this year, of a whole value chain China Cement Carbon Neutrality Roadmap which will set out a commitment and pathway to fully decarbonise the cement industry in China.

The GCCA, having launched a global net zero roadmap in 2021, will assist with its development alongside Sinoma International Engineering Co Ltd (Sinoma), the world’s largest cement technology and equipment company, and the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) who will also provide technical input.

Launching the agreement at a signing ceremony in Beijing, Executive President of CCA Kong Xiangzhong said: “This important agreement marks a win-win cooperation, and shows where we can collaborate effectively to bring insights, technical know-how and greater focus to our shared decarbonisation mission.”

GCCA CEO Thomas Guillot said: “The world needs leadership and collaboration like never before, especially on addressing the key issue of our time, climate change.”

Guillot said the agreement between the China industry and the global industry is a signal to the world that they stand ready to deliver the essential decarbonised building materials that our planet needs.

“Cement and concrete enable the key infrastructure, thriving and resilient communities, clean water, safe homes and the shift to clean energy that are essential to a future sustainable world,” said Guillot.

The agreement formally covers the next three years of co-operation and provides a platform for wider communication and exchange.

Thomas Guillot added: “Working with our new partners in China means our net zero focus and our action every day is now a truly global mission.”