| 2009 | 2008 | |
| CO2 emissions direct from cement works | 731.8 kg/tonne | 776.8kg/tonne |
| CO2 emissions from crushed rock | 5.27kg/tonne | 4.32kg/ tonne |
| CO2 emissions from sand and gravel (land-won) | 2.60kg/tonne | 4.28kg/tonne |
| CO2 emissions from asphalt production | 30.2kg/tonne | 34.4kg/ tonne |
| CO2 emissions from ready-mixed concrete production | 0.97kg/tonne | 0.95kg/ tonne |
The cement industry has been especially successful, recording a 58 per cent reduction in emissions between 1990 and 2009. This reduction is partly due to lower production volumes but also reflects major efficiencies and increasing use of non-fossil fuels. While some 40 per cent of carbon emissions from cement manufacture are generated through the use of fossil fuels, 60 per cent come from the chemical reaction of heating calcium carbonate. The development of carbon capture and storage technology will be critical to the industry’s longer term ability to reduce these latter emissions.
MPA has been working closely with The Carbon Trust to embed carbon reduction into the aggregates sector. Asphalt technology demonstration projects are underway and a packge of operator guidance and resources is being prepared for a new industry carbon portal.
MPA The Concrete Centre has focussed on the potential role of concrete structures in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, notably through the use of the thermal mass characteristics of concrete to moderate temperature changes in buildings – an issue of increasing significance for designers and occupiers. We have also participated in carbon reduction work led by the Government’s Chief Construction Adviser, Paul Morrell and are contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Construction Strategy targets to reduce construction sector dioxide emissions by 15 per cent between 2008 and 2012.
An issue of increasing concern to the sector is the myriad of market measures introduced in Europe and the UK to reduce carbon emissions. Plans being proposed now for the third phase of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS) run the risk of rendering the UK cement industry uncompetitive despite its strong record of reducing emissions. Larger asphalt plants are potentially within the scope of EUETS for the first time. Meanwhile, the climate change levy and associated agreements are under review and Government has undermined the credibility of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme by changing it from a revenue neutral scheme into another tax.