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SITUATION
Together the steel and cement industries are responsible for over 3.2 billions tons of CO2e emissions annually, or approximately 6% of global anthropogenic emissions. Emissions from both industries are increasing rapidly due to development, with cement and steel production concentrated in China.
Together the steel and cement industries are responsible for over 3.2 billions tons of CO2e emissions annually, or approximately 6% of global anthropogenic emissions. Emissions from both industries are increasing rapidly due to development, with cement and steel production concentrated in China.
Prior to the global recession, these industries were projected to double output and associated emissions by 2020, with growth driven primarily by activity in developing countries. Under IEA projections, for example, cement emissions double by 2020. Cement and steel are needed for a wide range of construction projects, including housing and public works.
Emissions from steel and cement are due to the energy-intensity of the manufacturing process. Steel production relies heavily on coal as an energy source for high-temperature furnaces. Portland cement production requires clinker made from lime that is also fired in high-temperature coal-driven furnaces. These are dirty processes largely unchanged since the dawn of the industrial age. Both the steel and cement industries are critically in need of process innovation.
OBJECTIVE
Innovation in the cement and steel industries to reduce energy consumption by 50% could reduce annual global CO2e emissions by more than 2 billion tons in 2020. In the steel industry, blast furnace improvements alone could remove 140 million tons of CO2e a year with additional efficiency bringing that number much higher according to the IEA.
Innovation in the cement and steel industries to reduce energy consumption by 50% could reduce annual global CO2e emissions by more than 2 billion tons in 2020. In the steel industry, blast furnace improvements alone could remove 140 million tons of CO2e a year with additional efficiency bringing that number much higher according to the IEA.
Low-carbon cement that introduces substitutes for the highly energy-intensive clinker currently used in cement production is under development. Substitutes for clinker include fly ash and pozzolana; high-percentage replacement of clinker could come close to halving CO2e emissions from the cement industry.
Further emission reductions are available from alternative fuel use in the cement and steel production process.
Market-based Approaches
The rising cost of energy, the volatility of fuel prices, and the carbon risk represented by future restrictions or taxes on carbon are all incentives for industry adoption of more energy efficient processes. There is a large market opportunity that will likely spur innovation as it becomes more recognized. Policy to implement incentives in the form of standards for achieving carbon reductions based on new technologies would accelerate scale up to achieve the necessary reductions by 2020 and encourage additional innovation.
STEEL IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF EMISSIONS
Steel and Iron, widely used in buildings accounted for 0.78 billion tons of CO2e emissions in 2008...
Read more > Source: IEA World Energy Outlook, 2009
CEMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 4% GLOBAL CO2E
Emissions from cement alone are over 2 billion tons of CO2e annually, or 4% of global emissions. Low-carbon cement, or cement alternatives must be developed to lower these emissions as...
Read more >INTELLIGENCE
REPORTS
Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development & Climate, 2008
