Achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the cement industry via value chain mitigation strategies

Summary Cement is used globally in construction materials for nearly all civil infrastructure systems supporting improved quality of life, and there is currently no substitute that can meet its functional capacity. The magnitude of cement production leads to more than 7% of annual anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resulting from both energy use and chemical reactions, which imposes a notable barrier to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This barrier is exacerbated by the interconnectivity of industries responsible for cement consumption. Here, we articulate current emission reduction challenges facing industries responsible for the production and use of cement and its products, and propose a compilation of solutions that focus on mitigating emissions from cement production at various stages along its value chain. We present frameworks for design within a circular economy and for policy decisions. We anticipate that these strategies can deliver cement production with zero GHG emissions and alleviate other environmental impacts.