<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Concrete production, especially the cement production, stands for 5-8 percent of the global CO2 emissions. Since concrete is the most frequently used man-made construction materials, this fact is not surprising. Concrete is also the only realistic alternative in order to improve the living circumstances in many countries around the world. Due to its size, the concrete sector has a great responsibility for limiting the consequences of the on-going climate change. The Swedish cement producer Cementa has an ambitious zero vision stating zero CO2 emissions in year 2030. The measures include energy efficiency, bio mass instead of fossil fuels, blended cements, CO2 uptake through carbonation and Carbon Capture Storage (CCS). This paper discusses these measures but also others such as optimization of the concrete mix, optimization of the structural geometry and prolongation of the service life. The paper is ended by a section on adaptation since concrete will also have an important role concerning protection of the built environment for climate change. Protection structures against flood, reconstruction of dams, new waste-water systems and bright permeable concrete pavements reflecting sunlight and improving drainage after heavy rain constitute some examples.</abstract>

Concrete production, especially the cement production, stands for 5-8 percent of the global CO2 emissions. Since concrete is the most frequently used man-made construction materials, this fact is not surprising. Concrete is also the only realistic alternative in order to improve the living circumstances in many countries around the world. Due to its size, the concrete sector has a great responsibility for limiting the consequences of the on-going climate change. The Swedish cement producer Cementa has an ambitious zero vision stating zero CO2 emissions in year 2030. The measures include energy efficiency, bio mass instead of fossil fuels, blended cements, CO2 uptake through carbonation and Carbon Capture Storage (CCS). This paper discusses these measures but also others such as optimization of the concrete mix, optimization of the structural geometry and prolongation of the service life. The paper is ended by a section on adaptation since concrete will also have an important role concerning protection of the built environment for climate change. Protection structures against flood, reconstruction of dams, new waste-water systems and bright permeable concrete pavements reflecting sunlight and improving drainage after heavy rain constitute some examples.

Concrete and Sustainability – Some Thoughts from a Swedish Horizon

Dept. of Civil & Architectural Engineering, Div. of Concrete Structures

Nordic Concrete Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Concrete and Sustainability \u2013 Some Thoughts from a Swedish Horizon"}

Concrete production, especially the cement production, stands for 5-8 percent of the global CO2 emissions. Since concrete is the most frequently used man-made...

Concrete and Sustainability – Some Thoughts from a Swedish Horizon

Published Online: Dec 31, 2020

Page range: 79 - 87

Received: Dec 22, 2020

Accepted: Dec 29, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ncr-2020-0019

Keywords
Climate change, CCS, optimization, prolongation of service life, adaptation

© 2020 Johan Silfwerbrand, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Concrete and Sustainability – Some Thoughts from a Swedish Horizon

Published Online: Dec 31, 2020

Page range: 79 - 87

Received: Dec 22, 2020

Accepted: Dec 29, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ncr-2020-0019

KeywordsClimate change, CCS, optimization, prolongation of service life, adaptation

© 2020 Johan Silfwerbrand, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Climate change, CCS, optimization, prolongation of service life, adaptation