Joint position – Feedback on Free Allocation Rules for cement (August)

European cements are among the most carbon intensive in the world, without clear signs of improvement. This is concerning, as cement – together with concrete – is and will remain the most consumed material in Europe. Clinker is the main cause of cement emissions, accounting for over 90% of the sector’s carbon footprint. The share of clinker in cement remained high and stable in Europe over the last decade (c. 75%), sitting well above the global average (c. 63%). As safe, scalable, and cost-effective low to zero clinker cements exist today, policies urgently need to incentivise low and zero carbon and pollution substitute technologies which replace and reduce the volume of clinker in cement.