The world's first low-carbon rating system for cement and concrete has been launched
- 信義開發 ESG
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
April 25th, 2025
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced the launch of the Low Carbon Rating (LCR) system for cement and concrete — the world’s first transparent global rating system that identifies cement and concrete products based on their carbon footprint. The LCR system aims to help customers prioritize sustainability when selecting building materials through a clear, intuitive rating scale ranging from AA to G.
Inspired by well-known evaluation schemes such as the EU Energy Performance Certificate and the U.S. Home Energy Rating System, the LCR provides a simple, transparent, and highly adaptable tool to support builders, architects, governments, planners, and consumers worldwide in making smarter and more sustainable choices.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of GCCA, stated:“Cement and concrete are the backbone of modern life—used in the buildings we live and work in, the roads we travel on, and the infrastructure that supports clean water and green energy. As the demand for sustainable construction continues to grow globally, transparency around the carbon footprint of building materials is more critical than ever.”“Our Low Carbon Rating system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will help accelerate decarbonization across the entire value chain.”
The rating system is designed for easy recognition—product ratings are clearly displayed through a simple visual graphic. The carbon rating system for cement and concrete provides consistency and comparability. Countries can adopt the global standard directly or adapt it to reflect differences in local carbon accounting methods.
Riccardo Savigliano, Chief of the Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), commented:“This is a significant step toward harmonizing the definition of low-emission cement and concrete globally to support decarbonization efforts.”
With several high-profile construction projects already showcasing the use of low-carbon cement and concrete, the industry is making meaningful progress. The launch of this global rating system marks another major milestone on the road to greater sustainability.
Marlène Dance, Decarbonization and Sustainable Design Specialist at Bouygues Bâtiment International, said:“We believe that a unified global carbon rating system adopted by all countries and used by all concrete suppliers will be a game changer.”“A simple, user-friendly tool tailored for building teams holds immense value. It will help our site teams better understand and manage the carbon footprint of the concrete they use.”
Mr. Guillot added:“With this rating system, governments, policymakers, and the private sector can now prioritize low-carbon cement and concrete in their procurement processes, which in turn will drive the industry to focus further on decarbonizing these essential building materials.”
Source：yahoo! Finance
