From bridges and buildings to tunnels, concrete is a vital cog in modern infrastructure projects. And while it may have become indispensable to major developments, concrete also has a significant impact on the environment.
Concrete is made by combining water, a material like sand or crushed gravel – known as aggregate – and, importantly, cement, and it’s this component that has a considerable environmental impact.
According to a 2018 report from Chatham House, over 4 billion metric tons of cement are produced annually. This, the policy institute said, accounts “for around 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions.”
Around the world, efforts are being made to develop new techniques and processes to reduce the environmental effects of our reliance on concrete.
Earlier this month Boral – an Australian firm that specializes in building and construction materials – announced the launch of a five-year partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Read more…
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