The average embodied carbon of ready-mixed concrete produced in the UK fell by approximately 5 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the latest Low Carbon Concrete Group (LCCG) Market Benchmark, published by The Concrete Centre on behalf of the group.

Based on data covering more than half of UK ready-mixed concrete production, the new benchmark shows that the volume-weighted average embodied carbon of concrete fell from 242kgCO₂e/m³ in 2024 to 229kgCO₂e/m³ in 2025.

The benchmark suggests the reduction has been driven primarily by the growing adoption of Portland-limestone cements, enabled by the 2023 revision to BS 8500, the British Standard for concrete. It also reflects wider decarbonisation efforts by the UK concrete and cement sector, which has cut emissions by 63 per cent since 1990, through ongoing improvements in adoption of the latest available technology, achieving greater energy efficiency and switching from fossil fuels to waste-based fuels.

Andrea Charlson, Head of Sustainability, UK Concrete & The Concrete Centre, said:

“This year’s benchmark provides clear evidence of the progress in reducing the embodied carbon of concrete, driven by the increased use of lower-carbon materials.

"The transition towards Portland-limestone cements has been particularly significant, demonstrating how collaboration between industry, standards bodies and specifiers can unlock meaningful carbon savings at scale.

"However, the benchmark also shows the scale of the challenge ahead. Average embodied carbon remains above the indicative trajectory aligned with the UK’s industrial decarbonisation strategy. Closing that gap will require greater uptake of a wide range of lower-carbon cements and concretes, alongside supportive policy and sustained investment in breakthrough solutions, such as carbon capture and storage, if the sector is to achieve net zero."

Helen McGarry, Associate Engineer & Sustainability Lead, Design ID, and LCCG Member, said:

“This year marks the fifth iteration of the benchmark and highlights the fundamental importance of establishing a baseline and monitoring performance to support continual improvement. The 5 per cent reduction achieved this year demonstrates the value of this approach and reflects the principles set out in PAS 2080.

“Additionally, on behalf of the LCCG, I would like to thank the contributing MPA members for their cooperation and willingness to share data, without which this benchmark and the progress it captures would not be possible.”

The LCCG Market Benchmark was first published in 2022 as part of the Low Carbon Concrete Routemap. It was developed to provide a mechanism for rating the embodied carbon of concrete used across the UK market, based on strength class. Since its introduction, the benchmark has been updated annually by the LCCG in collaboration with the MPA.  The benchmark helps clients, designers, contractors and suppliers compare the embodied carbon of concrete with products available across the market and set meaningful carbon reduction targets.

The latest LCCG Market Benchmark is available here

ENDS

Notes for editors:
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About the Mineral Products Association:
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and industrial sand industries. MPA is the sectoral voice for mineral products, covering 100% of GB cement and lime production, 90% of GB aggregates production, 95% of asphalt and over 60% of ready-mixed concrete and precast concrete production. In 2023, the industry generated £6.7 billion GVA and supported a further £253 billion, while employing 89,000 people. Industry production represents the largest flow of materials in the UK economy and is also one of the largest manufacturing sectors.

About the LCCG
The Low Carbon Concrete Group (LCCG) is a UK industry-led collaboration aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of concrete in the UK. It was established in January 2020 by the Green Construction Board, acting as the sustainability workstream of the Construction Leadership Council.

The LCCG brings together professionals from across the construction sector, including concrete and cement manufacturers, structural and civil engineers, contractors, clients and asset owners, academics and researchers, and government and industry representatives.

The LCCG coordinates a wide range of workstreams, including stakeholder engagement to share knowledge and drive industry-wide action, continuous benchmarking of concrete embodied carbon through the annual LCCG Market Benchmark, the development of guidance for procuring and specifying lower-carbon concrete, and the delivery of various technical studies and industry analyses.

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