The sponge effect and carbon emission mitigation potentials of the global cement cycle

Zhi Cao, Rupert J. Myers, Richard C. Lupton, Huabo Duan, Romain Sacchi, Nan Zhou, T. Reed Miller, Jonathan M. Cullen, Quansheng Ge and Gang Liu ()
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Zhi Cao: University of Southern Denmark
Rupert J. Myers: University of Edinburgh
Richard C. Lupton: University of Bath
Huabo Duan: Shenzhen University
Romain Sacchi: R&D, Quality and Technical Sales Support, Cementir Holding S.p.A.
Nan Zhou: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
T. Reed Miller: Yale University
Jonathan M. Cullen: University of Cambridge
Quansheng Ge: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gang Liu: University of Southern Denmark

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Cement plays a dual role in the global carbon cycle like a sponge: its massive production contributes significantly to present-day global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, yet its hydrated products gradually reabsorb substantial amounts of atmospheric CO2 (carbonation) in the future. The role of this sponge effect along the cement cycle (including production, use, and demolition) in carbon emissions mitigation, however, remains hitherto unexplored. Here, we quantify the effects of demand- and supply-side mitigation measures considering this material-energy-emissions-uptake nexus, finding that climate goals would be imperiled if the growth of cement stocks continues. Future reabsorption of CO2 will be significant (~30% of cumulative CO2 emissions from 2015 to 2100), but climate goal compliant net CO2 emissions reduction along the global cement cycle will require both radical technology advancements (e.g., carbon capture and storage) and widespread deployment of material efficiency measures, which go beyond those envisaged in current technology roadmaps.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17583-w

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