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This case study examines the deployment of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in India, focusing on a commercial-scale pilot by Lodha Developers. While technical standards and commercial production have begun, the document identifies significant bottlenecks in the value chain—specifically in concrete mix optimization, ready-mix concrete (RMC) readiness, and supply chain reliability—that hinder the transition from pilot projects to mainstream adoption.

This report by RMI examines the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector, which contributes nearly 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. It outlines a strategic framework for innovation categorized as "Make Less," "Make Better," and "Make New," while highlighting the funding gap and the necessity of updating prescriptive industry standards to performance-based specifications to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon materials.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes the market, policies, and investment opportunities for decarbonizing the cement and steel industries in Brazil. It identifies critical emission sources, evaluates emerging technologies like low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, and outlines the regulatory landscape, including the Brazilian Emissions Trading System (SBCE) and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

This policy brief by RMI explores the use of advance market commitments (AMCs) as a public procurement tool to decarbonize the concrete and cement sectors, specifically focusing on the United States.

This report provides guidance on transitioning the construction industry from prescriptive concrete specifications—which dictate a specific 'recipe'—to Performance Standards and Specifications (PSS) that focus on desired properties. The author argues that PSS is essential for scaling low-carbon concrete and reducing sector emissions by 25% or more, as traditional standards are geared toward ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The document outlines stakeholder roles, suggests specific tests for workability, strength, and durability, and provides case studies from the US and international examples to demonstrate how PSS can be trialed on real-world projects.

This guide by RMI explains demand aggregation as a strategy to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy industry and transport. By consolidating fragmented demand into larger signals, buyers can reduce first-mover risk, achieve economies of scale, and provide the financial certainty needed for suppliers to invest in low-emissions infrastructure. The document details specific initiatives in aviation, maritime shipping, steel, and cement, highlighting the use of joint procurement and 'book and claim' mechanisms to bridge the 'green premium' gap.

This input paper for the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, prepared by the India Initiative on Climate Risks and Sustainable Finance (led by Climate Bonds Initiative), examines the role of policymakers in mobilising private finance for the decarbonisation of the steel and cement sectors. It emphasizes the critical nature of the current decade for transition, particularly in emerging markets, and argues that credible corporate transition plans are essential for unlocking private capital through instruments like sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs). The report also highlights a significant gap in the integration of 'just transition' principles within corporate planning.

This case study by the World Resources Institute examines the high emissions intensity of cement production in the United States compared to global averages. It argues that the U.S. can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase economic competitiveness by adopting 'blended cements,' which replace a portion of emissions-intensive clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).

RMI proposes four priority initiatives for state DOTs to reduce the embodied carbon of concrete via the FHWA LCTM program: integrating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) into procurement, adjusting material specifications to increase SCM usage and blended cements, implementing Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) demonstration projects, and validating emerging near-zero or zero-emissions concrete technologies.

This policy brief from LeadIT, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, examines the role of international financial institutions (IFIs) in financing the decarbonization of heavy industry within emerging and developing economies, identifying current barriers and recommending the use of blended finance and concessional capital to scale breakthrough technologies.

This briefing by RMI argues that reducing embodied carbon (EC)—emissions from the procurement, manufacturing, construction, and disposal of building materials—is essential for India to meet its COP26 climate commitments. The document highlights that while operational emissions are often the focus, the rapid growth of India's urban construction and the energy-intensive nature of its steel, cement, and brick industries present a significant risk of locking in high emissions for decades.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute discusses the design and implementation of low-carbon product standards for the cement and steel industries in the United States to help achieve Paris Agreement goals.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute analyzes decarbonisation pathways for the EU cement sector, comparing a capture-heavy scenario (HIC-S) against a process-innovation scenario (HIP-S) to achieve near-zero emissions by 2050.

This text is a brief overview from the NewClimate Institute regarding a Climate Action Tracker examination of the steel and cement sectors, highlighting the insufficiency of current technologies to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute examines the global landscape of emissions intensity benchmarks and accounting methodologies for the cement and steel industries, emphasizing the need for harmonization to facilitate international trade in low-carbon materials.