LafargeHolcim pledges 20% cut in CO2 emissions https://t.co/f0TWabr7rr— FT Energy (@ftenergy) September 20, 2020
Earlier this month, we posted Major investors demand climate action from big polluters.
Lo and behold, one major polluter – the world’s biggest cement maker, with emissions higher than many countries – has responded; 20% is the number picked. LafargeHolcim's chief sustainability officer claims:
It’s the most ambitious target ever produced in the cement sector
That’s quite a claim. Here’s another – from the CEO of competitor CEMEX:
We @CEMEX are pleased to be the first building materials company to target a CO2 reduction in our European operations of at least 55% by 2030, and align with the @EU_Commission aspirations and targets— Fernando A. González (@Fernandogzz) September 24, 2020
In what might be likened to a Damascene conversion, Jan Jenisch, LafargeHolcim's CEO, claims:
I believe in building a world that works for people and the planet. That’s why we are reinventing how the world builds today to make it greener with low-carbon and circular solutions.
Bravo. Are we to believe the 20% target is achievable?
LafargeHolcim has made claims before. In fact, not long ago LafargeHolcim was named second worst company for increasing CO2 emissions, and acting in a way that would "wipe out most life on the planet".
You see, we’ve heard all about 20% targets before – from LafargeHolcim’s very own UK subsidiary, Aggregate Industries:
In 2006: In a watershed year which saw the publication of two significant reports on climate change and its effects on the economy and the environment, we have a clear message: it’s happening and we have to take action now.
In 2008: We continue to work towards our 2012 target of 20% reduction per tonne of production from the 2008 verified baseline as detailed in this report.
In 2011: carbon emissions [have] steadily increased to 11.04 Kg CO2 per tonne in 2011.
In 2012: By 2016 we will reduce process carbon emissions by 20% on 2012 levels in absolute terms.
In 2015: Absolute process carbon emissions continue to rise and are 20% above the 2012 baseline.
It’s easy to pick a number out of the air. Will this one be any different?
