Concrete and Cement emission factors
Cement production is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, with the majority arising from the calcination of limestone (process emissions) rather than fuel combustion. Standard Portland cement produces around 0.9 kg CO₂e per kilogram. Concrete, which combines cement with aggregates and water, typically ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 kg CO₂e per kilogram depending on the mix design and cement content.
Why it matters for carbon reporting
For the construction sector, concrete is the most widely used material by volume, making it a dominant source of embodied carbon. The industry is developing lower-carbon alternatives including GGBS, fly ash, and novel cements. Understanding baseline emission factors is critical for specifying lower-carbon mixes and meeting planning requirements for whole life carbon assessments.
Practical example
A housing developer replaces 40% of Portland cement with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) in its standard concrete mix. The emission factor for the concrete drops from 0.15 to 0.10 kg CO₂e per kg, saving 180 tCO₂e across a 200-home development.
How to reduce concrete and cement emissions
- 1Specify cement replacement materials such as GGBS or fly ash
- 2Optimise structural design to reduce total concrete volume
- 3Use precast elements where possible for material efficiency
- 4Request carbon data from ready-mix suppliers for each mix design
Sample emission factors
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