ClimeCo, a global sustainability company, has led the development of Climate Action Reserve’s (CAR) new U.S. Low-Carbon Cement Protocol. The protocol establishes a first-of-its-kind pathway to generate voluntary carbon credits from the production of novel and underutilised alternative cementitious materials (ACMs) and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

Funds generated by these credits will be used to incentivise the production and scaled use of innovation, less carbon-intensive materials to meet growing demand, reduce emissions and help enable exponential positive change.

This initiative has been in the pipeline for more than 18 months, with ClimeCo working closely with Eco Material Technologies and the Portland Cement Association, to create, seek comment and refine this important effort.

This new protocol was created to address the pressing emission crisis in the cement industry. The Global Cement and Concrete Association has stated that the sector can only scale low-carbon cement to the degree required to meet targets through additional funding.

Allowing companies to generate voluntary carbon credits and direct much-needed funds to the production of additional cementitious materials that can fill the worsening supply void and create the scale necessary to displace carbon-intensive cement manufacturing is what this new protocol aims to achieve.

To earn credits, manufacturers must produce usable materials that are widely recognized as beyond business-as-usual and surpass regulatory requirements. Eligible components include natural pozzolans such as harvested and beneficiated coal ash.

“While demand for cement has never been higher, it remains an exceptionally difficult-to-abate industry,” said ClimeCo President and CEO Bill Flederbach.

“This new protocol demonstrates the power of credible, validated and science-based voluntary carbon credits in accelerating the pace and adoption of environmental reforms. It also confirms ClimeCo’s belief that by engaging the right partners and taking a holistic approach, every industry and every company, even those facing the biggest challenges, can make a huge difference.”

“Time is of the essence, and ClimeCo is proud to lead the way toward a brighter future.”