World's first Low Carbon Ratings system for Cement and Concrete launches
The ratings system is designed to help customers prioritise sustainability when selecting construction materials by using a clear and intuitive AA to G scale.
Share
Inspired by well-known appraising schemes such as the EU's Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home Energy Rating System, the LCR offers a simple, transparent, and adaptable tool that helps builders, architects, governments, planners, and consumers everywhere in the world to make more informed and sustainable choices.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said: 'Cement and concrete are the foundations of modern life - from the buildings we live and work in, to the roads we travel, and the infrastructure that supports clean water and green energy. As global demand for sustainable construction grows, the need for greater transparency around the carbon footprint of construction materials is more critical than ever.
'Our Low Carbon Ratings system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will empower the entire value chain to accelerate decarbonisation.'
The ratings system is designed to be easily recognisable – with a simple visual graphic that clearly indicates a product's rating. The carbon rating system for cement and concrete provides consistency and comparability. Countries can adopt the global ratings as they are, or adapt them if local carbon accounting differs from global norms.
Riccardo Savigliano, Chief, Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit, UNIDO said: 'This is a huge step forward towards harmonizing global definitions for low emission cement and concrete in the support of decarbonization.'
With notable construction projects already demonstrating the use of lower carbon cement and concrete, the industry is making important progress. The launch of this global rating system marks another milestone on the road to greater sustainability.
Marlène Dance – Decarbonisation & Sustainable Design Expert, Bouygues Bâtiment International said: 'We believe a globally consistent carbon rating system—adopted by all countries and used by all concrete suppliers—would be a game changer.
'We see great value in a simple, user-friendly tool, tailored for construction teams. It will help empower our site crews to better understand and manage the carbon footprint of the concrete they use.'
Mr Guillot added: 'With this rating system in place, governments, policymakers and the private sector can now prioritise lower carbon cement and concrete in the procurement process which will in turn further stimulate the industry's focus on decarbonising these essential building materials.'
Note to editors
The rating system is designed to be used with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) - which by definition are third party verified.
The rating system uses numerical definitions in units of embodied carbon dioxide equivalent per tonne for cement and per cubic metre of concrete product (ECO2e /m3), also referred to as Global Warming Potential (GWP), as calculated according to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) standards. These product definitions for 'low carbon' and 'near zero' carbon emissions were inspired from cement production definitions by the International Energy Agency and the GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete.
The GCCA cement rating system can be adopted and applied in countries. Germany already provides a working example. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and VDZ (German Cement Association) developed a scheme that is fully aligned with the GCCA system and this is already implemented.
The GCCA worked with the Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) and stakeholders to create a set of globally applicable definitions for concrete. These are ready to use in the vast majority of countries. If a country has a different practice for product carbon accounting, then adaptation of the ratings can be done. This has already been completed in the UK.
The GCCA cement and concrete ratings can be used with national and local baselines and targets to support low carbon procurement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
19 hours ago
- Business Wire
FUN Investors Have Opportunity to Join Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Fraud Investigation With the Schall Law Firm
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation ('Six Flags' or 'the Company') (NYSE: FUN) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Six Flags announced its Q2 2025 financial results on August 6, 2025. The Company swung from a profit to a $100 million dollar loss for the quarter, and cut its full year guidance. The Company blamed bad weather for the downturn but also indicated lower sales of season passes contributed to poor results. Finally, the Company's CEO will step down at the end of the year. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at or by email at bschall@ The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
CUPE: Liberals reward Air Canada's refusal to bargain fairly by crushing flight attendants' Charter rights
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Air Canada asked the government to crush underpaid flight attendants' Charter rights, and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu only waited a few hours to deliver. The Liberal government has invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to end a strike by Air Canada flight attendants fighting to end unpaid work and poverty wages. "The Liberals have talked out of both sides of their mouths. They said the best place for this is at the bargaining table. They refused to correct this historic injustice through legislation," said Wesley Lesosky, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE. "Now, when we're at the bargaining table with an obstinate employer, the Liberals are violating our Charter rights to take job action and give Air Canada exactly what they want — hours and hours of unpaid labour from underpaid flight attendants, while the company pulls in sky-high profits and extraordinary executive compensation." CUPE came to the table with data-driven and reasonable proposals for a fair cost-of-living wage increase and an end to forced unpaid labour. Air Canada responded by sandbagging the negotiations. The Liberal government is rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted. This sets a terrible precedent. Contrary to the Minister's remarks, this will not ensure labour peace at Air Canada. This will only ensure that the unresolved issues will continue to worsen by kicking them down the road. Nor will it ensure labour peace in this industry — because unpaid work is an unfair practice that pervades nearly the entire airline sector, and will continue to arise in negotiations between flight attendants and other carriers.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
'This government is anti-union and anti-worker': CUPE NS Denounces Use of Bill 107
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Nova Scotia strongly condemns the federal government's decision to interfere in workers' right to collective bargaining and job action by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. 'Clearly, this government is anti-union and anti-worker,' said Alan Linkletter, CUPE Nova Scotia President. 'Forcing workers back on the job instead of supporting free and fair collective negotiations directly contradictions workers' rights that are guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.' Air Canada has asked the government to crush striking workers' Charter rights, and Federal Labour minister Patty Hajdu is ready to deliver. Hajdu announced that the federal government will be invoking Section 107 at a press conference this afternoon, citing the financial welfare of Canadians and the economy at large as a deciding factor for this decision. 'She says this move is for the financial security of Canadians—are these workers not Canadians? Does their welfare not matter? How can you be financially secure when you don't even get paid for all of the hours you work?' Contrary to the Minister's remarks, this will not ensure labour peace in Canada. This will only push this fight onto the next group of workers in negotiations, while Air Canda's flight attendants continue to work for a billion-dollar company for free. Flight attendants are only paid when the plane is moving, and work as many as 35 unpaid hours a month performing vital duties that ensure the safe and smooth operation of each flight. Now, instead of paying flight attendants for all the hours they work, Air Canada has clearly sought help from the federal government to continue exploiting their employees. 'Minister Hajdu's comments indicate a clear lack of respect for workers' rights,' said Sherry Hillier, President of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador and National General Vice President for Atlantic Canada. 'By using Section 107 to force workers back on the job yet again, they're setting a pattern. And that pattern is that Liberals don't care about Canadians.' Recent polling data indicates that 9 out of 10 Canadians support Air Canada flight attendants' fight for fair pay. 88% per cent of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties including boarding, delays, and safety checks. 76% support raising their pay to reflect the important safety role they play. 59% believe the federal government should respect flight attendants' right to take job action–even if it causes travel disruptions. CUPE represents over 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants across the country, and workers have been demonstrating at Halifax Stanfield International Airport since 6AM. 'Messages of support have been pouring in for these workers from across the country,' continued Linkletter. 'Canadians stand with us. Our elected representatives should, too.'
