ECSN Webinar held in Nov, 25th

Join ECSN on the journey to more sustainable construction!

ECSN is the federation/network of European concrete societies comprising of 13 members. In this webinar, we have brought together experts from within ECSN circles to present examples of how the concrete construction sector can reduce its impact on the climate.

The earth faces great challenges. The UN Sustainable Development Goals set out a blueprint for achieving a more sustainable future for all of society, with Goal 13 requiring urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The 2015 Paris Agreement further stipulates that the global temperature increase will be limited to below 2°C, with the aim of limiting it to 1.5°C. This is to be achieved primarily through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

An increasing global population requires societal development with necessary associated housing and infrastructure. Yet, climate change action also requires that all of society works to reduce their impact on the climate. In many areas, concrete is the only building material that can meet long term quality and durability requirements. Therefore, concrete continues to be an essential material for building sustainably, and for creating the welfare demanded by today’s modern society.

The purpose of this webinar is to demonstrate the potential of the concrete sector to do more to reduce its impact. For example, continuing research across the globe has resulted in real progress being made in developing binders with a lower impact on the climate. Work is also being progressed which aims to build more optimised and slender construction elements. Additionally, a review of overly stringent regulations may also be required to allow for reductions in cement contents in certain construction sectors.

In parallel with all of this, the development of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is taking place. With Norway having more than 20 years’ experience of the geological storage of carbon dioxide, it is known that CCUS is technically possible. However, many challenges remain in its full development at scale. Other examples of the use of CCUS technology include new developments in the manufacture of concrete building blocks.

Our future requires that many solutions are needed; therefore, the whole of society must cooperate in meeting these challenges.