Technology Roadmap Low-Carbon Transition in the Cement Industry

1. Introduction
The RTS serves as a baseline scenario for this 
roadmap. It considers energy consumption 
trends, as well as commitments by countries 
to limit carbon emissions and improve energy 
efficiency, including nationally determined 
contributions pledged under the Paris 
Agreement. The RTS represents a considerable 
shift from a “business as usual” approach with 
no meaningful climate policy response. Efforts 
made under the RTS would result in an average 
temperature increase of 2.7°C by 2100, at 
which point temperatures are unlikely to have 
stabilised and would continue to rise.
The 2DS sets out an energy system pathway 
and a CO
2
emissions trajectory consistent 
with at least a 50% chance of limiting the 
average global temperature increase to 2°C by 
2100 (IPCC, 2014). Annual energy sector CO
2
emissions will be reduced by around 60% from 
current levels by 2050, with cumulative carbon 
emissions of around 1 170 GtCO
2
between 
2015 and 2100 (including industrial process 
emissions). To stay within this range, CO
2
emissions from fuel combustion and industrial 
processes must continue their decline after 
2050, and carbon neutrality in the energy 
Box 1: Scenarios used in this Technology Roadmap

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1. Introduction
Roadmap approach
Partners and collaborators with specialised 
expertise from around the world have developed 
this roadmap. The IEA has overseen data analysis 
and modelling (see Annex below) to understand the 
impact of various strategies on energy efficiency 
improvements and CO
2
emissions reductions. The 
analysis benefits from best available information 
in terms of state-of-the-art cement manufacturing 
technologies and technical expertise from industry 
experts from the CSI companies and beyond, as 
well as cement technology researchers from the 
European Cement Research Academy.
The vision outlined in this roadmap is based on 
the 2DS, which is comparatively discussed with a 
context of continued trends, and the consideration 
of implemented and announced energy-related and 
climate policies and pledges by countries (the RTS) 
(Box 1).