Lafarge sets out new CO₂ targets

It has also set out a commitment to develop new construction solutions for low-energy buildings.

The objectives have been developed by Lafarge within the framework of its partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

As a first step, Lafarge had committed to reducing its CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement by 20% between 1990 and 2010. This target was met a year ahead of schedule in 2009 and the group achieving a 21.7% reduction by the the end of 2010. Today, the company said that every tonne of cement produced emits an average of 606kg of CO₂, 168kg less than in 1990. The new 33% target would mean an emission of an average of 518kg of CO₂ per ton of cement produced in 2020, around 250kg less than in 1990.

The company has also said that it will develop innovative solutions for sustainable construction by 2015. Buildings currently account for 40% of global primary energy consumption, said Lafarge, and reducing this is one of the key challenges of efforts to combat climate change. The energy is mainly consumed through its daily use during the lifetime of the building and so Lafarge is undertaking to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce their carbon footprint.

It has undertaken to develop 10 new ranges of innovative construction products or solutions, from its research projects and to contribute to the design of 500 construction projects that are more energy-efficient.

Lafarge chairman and CEO Bruno Lafont said: “Lafarge has made the reduction of its CO2 emissions a major objective, and has met its commitments. I am pleased with our partnership with WWF, which helps us to progress even faster. It is no longer a matter of just reducing the CO2 emitted in the production of our materials, but also of developing construction solutions for buildings that consume less energy.”

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