2 October 2025 - In response to the UK government’s decision to extend its public consultation on policies to grow the market for low-carbon industrial goods by two weeks, Buffy Price, COO of Carbon Re, shared her thoughts. She emphasised that cement and concrete, responsible for 8% of global CO₂ emissions, are “hard-to-abate” but essential to the UK’s net zero goals. Price highlighted that a combination of smarter materials, carbon capture, digital optimisation, and clear government policies with incentives can give producers the confidence to invest in low-carbon solutions, proving even the toughest sectors can decarbonise while boosting competitiveness and benefiting the planet. Please see below for the full statement.
'Cement is often described as 'hard-to-abate,' yet it's one of the most urgent industries to decarbonise, responsible for around 1.5% of UK CO2 emissions and 8% globally. If the UK is serious about reaching net zero, cement and concrete must be part of the solution.
Achieving this will require a portfolio of approaches: clinker substitution and new materials, carbon capture and storage, and digital optimisation that can make production more efficient today and prepare the ground for breakthrough technologies tomorrow. The challenge is that the biggest levers, like carbon capture, are expensive and highly sensitive to the volatility of cement kiln operations. That’s why government policy must support both immediate improvements and long-term innovation.
The UK government’s consultation is a real opportunity to put that framework in place. Clear and consistent rules for measuring embodied carbon, smart incentives for producers that cut emissions, and procurement policies that reward low-carbon cement and concrete will give the industry the confidence to invest. Crucially, such measures will ensure UK producers remain competitive against global peers while helping to deliver on climate goals.
With the right signals, the UK can show that decarbonising even the hardest-to-abate sectors is possible. That’s a win for industry competitiveness, a win for climate, and a win for the planet.’
For more information, or to speak Carbon Re, please do get in touch on: +44 203 778 1103.