Australia’s heavy construction materials industry is committed to supporting the transition to a lower carbon, more resource-efficient and resilient built environment. Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) works collaboratively with governments, industry, researchers and the broader construction supply chain to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that reduce emissions while continuing to deliver the essential materials needed to build Australia’s homes, transport networks, renewable energy, water and social infrastructure.
Concrete is the world’s most widely used building and construction material and is vital to securing a resilient built environment that is sustainable for life. With demand for durable and sustainable housing as well as public infrastructure expected to rise strongly in response to population and economic growth, the demand for concrete will increase.
CCAA’s sustainability work is guided by the industry’s ambition to deliver net zero carbon cement and concrete by 2050. Achieving this ambition will require innovation across the entire value chain, including lower carbon technologies, greater use of supplementary cementitious materials, circular economy initiatives, sustainable procurement, improved standards and specifications, and supportive government policy.
Working with members and stakeholders, CCAA is leading industry initiatives that support the transition to lower carbon construction while maintaining the performance, durability and resilience that cement, concrete and aggregates provide.
Our sustainability program focuses on:
- Decarbonisation through practical, science-based pathways to net zero.
- Sustainable procurement that supports whole-of-life carbon assessment and performance-based specifications.
- Circular economy initiatives that improve resource efficiency and encourage material innovation.
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and transparent carbon reporting.
- Australian Concrete Rating System, providing a nationally consistent framework for assessing lower carbon concrete.
- Industry collaboration to accelerate research, innovation and implementation across the construction value chain.
Cement and Concrete Industry Ambition for Net Zero by 2050
In 2021, Australia’s cement and concrete industry declared its ambition to deliver net zero carbon cement and concrete by 2050. The Climate Ambition Statement sets out the industry’s commitment to work collaboratively across the value chain to reduce emissions while continuing to deliver the essential materials needed to build Australia’s future.
Climate Ambition Statement
Australia’s cement and concrete industries recognise the challenges of climate change and adaptation.
Our industries hold an ambition to reduce their CO₂ footprint and deliver society with net zero carbon concrete by 2050.
We are committed to work across the value chain to deliver this in a circular economy, whole-of-life context to support a sustainable built environment.
Key Sustainability Resources
CCAA’s sustainability work is underpinned by a series of industry-leading reports, strategies and guidance documents.
RESOURCE
Cement and Concrete Industry Decarbonisation Facilitation Plan
A practical roadmap outlining the policy, regulatory and market reforms needed to accelerate implementation of the industry’s decarbonisation pathways and support investment in lower carbon construction.
Download the Decarbonisation Facilitation Plan
RESOURCE
Decarbonisation Pathways for the Australian Cement and Concrete Sector
Prepared by independent research organisation VDZ, this report identifies the technologies, innovations and policy settings required to achieve net zero, outlining eight complementary pathways for decarbonising Australia’s cement and concrete industry. View the overview document here or download the full report.
Download the Decarbonisation Pathways Report
RESOURCE
Australian Adoption of the GCCA Global Ratings for Low Carbon and Near Zero Concrete
The Australian Adoption Guide aligns the GCCA’s international concrete carbon rating system with Australian practice, providing a nationally consistent framework for assessing and communicating the embodied carbon of concrete.
Download the Australian Adoption Guide