Science, research and innovation are playing a key role in Canada's move toward a cleaner and stronger economy and in the fight against climate change. Working with industry—including the cement and concrete sector—is critical to creating economic opportunities for Canadians and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Marie Glenn, Chair of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC); and Michael McSweeney, President and CEO of the CAC, have issued a joint statement by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cement sector to support a roadmap to net-zero carbon concrete. This partnership and the resulting roadmap will position Canada's cement and concrete industry to become a global leader in low-carbon cement and concrete production and related clean technologies.
The roadmap will provide Canadian industry with guidance on technologies, tools and policies needed to reach net-zero carbon concrete by 2050, including on:
- Supporting the development of a low-carbon emissions supply chain in Canada and beyond through a data strategy, industrial standards, procurement and promotion;
- Coordinating across the sector and government on high-potential research and investments to develop new technologies, products and processes that reduce the amount of carbon released in the production of cement and concrete; and
- Engaging with federal, provincial and territorial partners, manufacturers, providers of cleantech solutions, and other stakeholders to fulfil the vision of global leadership in low-carbon cement manufacturing toward the goal of net-zero carbon concrete. This will be supported by tools and policies, such as Canada's strengthened climate plan, the Clean Technology Data Strategy and new measures proposed in the 2021 budget.
The work of this partnership will align with, and inform, the objective of the Greening Government Strategy: having the Government of Canada transition to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations.
In keeping with the Greening Government Strategy, the government is showing leadership on the procurement of low-carbon building materials, including cement and concrete products. By buying these products, the government will support their availability, thus strengthening green supply chains and improving Canada's capacity to bring low-carbon concrete solutions to market.