That's the conclusion of European Cement and Climate, a new report by InfluenceMap an "independent UK-based non-profit whose remit is to map, analyse and score the extent to which corporations are influencing climate change policy".
So, whilst people fret over the carbon footprint of their Xmas tree, spare a thought for the EU cement giants 'that have been able to net €5bn by selling carbon allowances they received for free'.
One of those giants is LafargeHolcim, owner of Aggregate Industries, owner of Straitgate Farm, owner of the plan to put 2.5 million HGV miles on Devon roads, owner of limitless greenwash:
Climate, Circular Economy, Water & Nature, People & Communities; four areas where we'll make a difference: https://t.co/jWGeQ5M7eN #2030Plan— LafargeHolcim (@LafargeHolcim) June 16, 2016
InfluenceMap's report says:
Market leader LafargeHolcim, a signatory of a commitment to a UN guide on responsible climate policy engagement, has made public statements supporting carbon pricing but has opposed ambitious EU ETS reform. It also holds many key positions in trade associations that have consistently sought to undermine the ETS and other EU climate policy.
InfluenceMap’s executive director Dylan Tanner said:
It is not surprising the cement sector is choosing to weaken the climate policies that pose an existential threat to its existence. However, they end up undermining the ambition of the whole regulatory process and we think investors should be concerned about the correlation between negative lobbying and companies’ unwillingness to transition.
Cement production accounts for about 5-10% of human CO2 emissions.
...evidence suggests that even with a low price on carbon effectively implemented the profits of the sector would collapse. The sector appears to have responded to this threat by shaping the EU ETS to suit its existing GHG intensive industrial practices through intense policy lobbying in Brussels.
And whilst there's intense policy lobbying in Brussels, this is what LafargeHolcim tells the wider world:
We are on track to reduce net specific CO2 emissions by 40% in 2030 vs 1990. Learn more about our climate targets: https://t.co/ABUYjZU0BV— LafargeHolcim (@LafargeHolcim) June 13, 2016
The reality in the UK, as we have posted before, is somewhat different. And whilst AI continues to think that it's acceptable to haul sand and gravel over 23 miles away for processing, nothing will change.
 |
| * Figures taken from 2015 report, 2012 report (for 2012-2008), 2010 report (for 2007-2006), 2007 report (for earlier) |
Aggregate Industries would have us believe that:
But as InfluenceMap reports - behind the scenes, behind the cement industries' flimsy green façade:
New @InfluenceMap report shows cement sector is second only to oil&gas in lobbying opposition to EU climate change policy #euets pic.twitter.com/zYP13OPD7Q— sandbag.org.uk (@sandbagorguk) November 30, 2016
