A Sustainable Future
Sustainability: It’s an Imperative
Cement and concrete stand the test of time and save lives through inherent resilience. Now, we’re on our way to providing these benefits sustainably. ACA’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality addresses each stage of the concrete life cycle to arrive at net zero by 2050.
We Can’t Do It Alone.
Reaching our 2050 carbon neutrality goal depends on collaboration. We’re building on partnerships with policymakers and regulators; With leaders in technology and infrastructure; With contractors, architects, and communities. By marrying innovation in the industry and collaboration, we might even reach net zero sooner.
Cement and Concrete Shape Our World
That’s because, made with cement, concrete is durable, tough, and versatile, making it sustainable over the life cycle and providing resilience against natural disasters.
Innovating for a Greener Future
America’s cement producers are building a better future with innovative, sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact. The EPA has recognized the industry for driving significant improvements in energy efficiency.
Reduction in carbon footprint by switching to portland-limestone cement.
Cement produced by ACA members is lower-carbon portland-limestone cement.
US CO2 emissions represented by cement manufacturing process today.
The Concrete Life Cycle
Concrete is resilient. When you look at the lifetime of the built environment, the energy savings and emissions reductions achieved by building with concrete more than offset the emissions from cement manufacturing.
If the entire U.S. road system used concrete pavement, we could reduce GHG emissions per year by 46.5 million metric tons.
Paving the Way to Net Zero
Concrete is one of the most sustainable construction materials—but industry is working to make it even better. The ACA Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality is an ambitious plan for the future.
Carbon Neutrality
Cement manufacturers are making big changes to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. The industry is working with policymakers, advancing sustainable technologies, and developing greener types of cement.
Sustainable Construction Codes
Sustainable construction codes and green rating systems inform better decisions for longer-term, sustainable projects. They also provide benchmarks for recognizing sustainable achievements.
Keep Learning
Dig into the ACA Reference Library’s online resources to learn more about sustainability in the cement industry.
Energy and Environment Awards 2024
ACA’s Energy and Environment Awards recognize member companies for outstanding environmental and community relations efforts. The 2024 awards presentation was held in Washington, D.C. as part of the Association’s congressional fly-in, with more than 100 cement industry professionals participating.
Get in Touch
Lindsey Geiger, PE, LEED AP BD+C, ENV SP
Director, Environment and Sustainability
James A. Farny, FACI
Director, Environmental Measurement and Metrics
The Latest in Sustainability
ACA Workshop: Barriers to Optimization for Concrete in the Built Environment
