Nature Positive: Role of the Cement and Concrete Sector

The cement and concrete sector is critical for global urbanization but contributes significantly to nature loss through greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater withdrawal, and ecosystem disturbance. The report outlines a transition framework based on five priority actions: improving water stewardship, reducing emissions, strengthening land rehabilitation, expanding circularity, and accelerating product innovation. Implementing these actions could unlock $44 billion in annual business opportunities by 2030.

• The cement and concrete sector has a substantial environmental footprint, accounting for 7%-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 9% of worldwide industrial water withdrawals (or 1.7% of total global water withdrawals).
• Water scarcity poses a significant future risk to the industry, as 75% of the water demand for concrete production is projected to occur in regions likely to experience water stress by 2050.
• Cement production is the primary driver of the sector's carbon footprint, contributing up to 90% of concrete's greenhouse gas emissions despite making up only 10-15% of its mass.
• Unsustainable sand mining, particularly in Asia, causes severe ecological damage; for example, in the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, it leads to land infertility and coastal erosion.
• Transitioning to a nature-positive business model through these priority actions could generate $44 billion in annual cost savings and revenue upside for the sector's value chain by 2030.
• Decarbonization strategies for the sector include switching to renewable energy, developing clinker substitutes, utilizing carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and exploring kiln electrification.
• Circular economy opportunities include the reuse of construction and demolition waste (CDW) as aggregate or clinker replacement, and the recirculation of CO2 emissions within the value chain.
• Product innovation is highlighted as a way to future-proof the industry, including the development of 3D construction printing to reduce material use by up to 50% and the use of bio-active concrete for coral reef restoration.

APA

World Economic Forum (2023). Nature Positive: Role of the Cement and Concrete Sector. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Role_of_the_Cement_and_Concrete_Sector_2023.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Nature Positive: Role of the Cement and Concrete Sector. 2023. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Role_of_the_Cement_and_Concrete_Sector_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Nature Positive: Role of the Cement and Concrete Sector |date=September 2023 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Role_of_the_Cement_and_Concrete_Sector_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2023nature, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Nature Positive: Role of the Cement and Concrete Sector}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2023}, month = sep, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Nature_Positive_Role_of_the_Cement_and_Concrete_Sector_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }