Cement industry is centre of climate change debate
(New York Times) Some green incentives involving cement production may be increasing pollution.
Some green incentives involving cement production may be increasing pollution.
The European Union subsidizes Western companies that buy outmoded cement plants in poor countries and refit them with green technology.
But the greenest technologies can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by only about 20 percent, which often leads to a net increase due to higher overall production.
In booming economies from Asia to Eastern Europe, cement is literally the glue of progress.
A binding agent that holds the other ingredients that together make concrete, cement is a crucial component in buildings and roads - which is why some 80 percent of it is made and used in emerging economies.
China alone makes and uses 45 percent of worldwide output. In places like Ukraine, production is doubling every four years.
Originally published 26 Oct 2007
