​Scaling Blended Cement for Competitive, Resilient and Low-Carbon Growth

​Format: High-level launch, government dialogue and panel

​In person only

​Event Overview

​Join national governments, international institutions, industry leaders, and initiative partners for the global launch of Blend Better Cement, a campaign focused on blended cements as the fastest solution to cut cement and concrete emissions this decade.

​Concrete is essential to our lives, from constructing homes, roads, water infrastructure and flood protection, to building the wind farms and grids the energy transition depends on. Most of the buildings and infrastructure that will exist in 2050 have yet to be built – so changes must be made to concrete’s ingredients today to avoid locking in global emissions for decades to come.

​We can cut carbon in construction now. No long development time. Ready to deploy and use today.

​Blended cements can achieve 50% lower emissions per tonne compared to ordinary portland cement, with comparable strength, durability and cost – just from using less clinker, a carbon-intensive ingredient that has traditionally given cement its binding properties.

​We’re asking governments to support the switch to blended cement – and unlock green industrialisation, meet growing building demand sustainably, and strengthen domestic supply chains using locally available materials.

​This event will formally launch Blend Better Cement, a campaign being led by the UNEP-hosted Global ABC and Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC), Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Agenda, the LC3 Project, Climate Group’s ConcreteZero and Systemiq.

​Event objectives

• ​Elevate government leadership, on blended cement as an enabler of competitive green industrialisation and resilient infrastructure, highlighting practical progress on standards, public procurement, local material development and market transformation.

• ​Demonstrate scalable solutions already available, drawing on proven SCM applications and government implementation examples.

• ​Highlight critical enablers for scale, including policy reform, technology, local and regional supply chains, capacity building and public–private collaboration.

• ​Invite governments and partners to shape and participate in the implementation pathway, including through country engagement, peer learning and acknowledgement of the ICBC Call to Action.

• ​Build momentum towards COP31 and COP32, positioning blended cement and SCMs within international agendas on industrial decarbonisation, buildings, competitiveness and green growth.

• ​Formally launch the Blend Better Cement campaign, presenting the initiative’s ambition, partners, country offer and roadmap towards COP31 and COP32.

​Agenda

• ​Coffee and arrivals | 2-2.30pm

• ​Keynote speech for the Sustainable Real Estate Forum | 2.30-2.40pm

• ​Global launch of Blend Better Cement, including government spotlight presentations and a panel discussion | 2.40-3.20

• ​Formal campaign launch and Closing remarks | 3.20-3.30

• ​Photo and networking reception | 3.30-4pm

​Speakers

• ​Martin Krause – Director, UNEP (opening remarks)

• ​Dr. Katharina Beumelburg – CSO, Heidelberg (keynote)

• ​Philippe Deprédurand – Director for International Action, French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Territorial Development, Transport, Cities and Housing

• ​Ambassador Antonio Da Costa e Silva – Chief International Advisor to the Minister of Cities, Brazil

• ​Ruth Onkangi – Officer, Construction Research and Business Development, National Construction Authority, Kenya

• ​Thomas Guillot – CEO, GCCA

• ​Mina Hasman – Director of Sustainability, SOM

• ​Scott Shell – Director for Cement & Building Materials, Global Industry Hub