European Commission outlines the future of carbon management

In our European cement operations, we have already reduced our CO2 intensity by nearly 45% compared to 1990 and have an ambitious plan to reach 55% reduction by 2030, in line with the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ aspirations. Cemex is investing significantly in solutions to reduce CO2 emissions to the extent that is currently technically possible. However, the production of cement inevitably gives rise to some CO2 emissions, including biogenic. Therefore, Cemex  requires the completion of the policy landscape for carbon management to fully decarbonise its operations and make fast investment decisions.
Commenting on the Communication, Martin Casey, Director Communications, Public Affairs & Social Impact for Cemex EMEA, says: “The strategy is comprehensive and outlines relevant fields of action but what is essential now is a timely implementation. For companies to move forward, the regulatory framework regarding CCU/S along with carbon accounting and removals must be completed as a matter of the utmost urgency. The cement plant of 2030 is planned and designed today.”
Exploiting the full potential of biogenic emissions from cement production 
Significantly increasing the share of alternative fuels in the cement plants’ fuel mixes in the coming decade is an integral part of Cemex’s decarbonisation strategy. As a result, Cemex’s cement plants are a reliable source of emissions from more sustainable biomass and contribute to carbon removals in case of permanent storage. 
Cemex therefore appreciates that permanent storage of biogenic CO2 from industry has been recognised as one of the major pathways of industrial carbon management in the EU and both supports and advocates for the integration of scientifically sound industrial carbon removal from various sources and technologies into the EU-ETS.
Development of a dense European CO2 transport and storage infrastructure to reduce costs.
The development of CO2 transport infrastructure has been rightly identified as a priority by the European Commission. Operational expenditures for CCS will be driven by transportation and storage costs to a significant extent. To render the industry’s transformation economically viable, the European Union and its Member States should develop a dense and readily accessible network of CO2 pipelines, connecting storage sites to both industrial hubs and dispersed industrial sites. 

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