WCA launches Climate Partnership programme

The World Cement Association announced today the launch of its Climate Partnership programme, under which it will collaborate with organisations such as NGOs, thinktanks and sustainability-focussed events providers, as part of its continuing Climate and Environment commitment. Three organisations have already signed up to be Climate Partners: Climate Action, Decarb Connect, and Smart Surfaces Coalition.

This initiative enables knowledge sharing between WCA and its climate partners, giving the cement industry a voice and platform outside of its traditional silos, as well as fostering new partnerships, collaborations and ideas between the industry, other hard-to-abate sectors and the wider climate movement.

Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’. This is achieved by providing a global media and events platform across which stakeholders can share knowledge, technologies and expertise, and identify innovative solutions to the challenges presented by climate change and a growing population.

Decarb Connect supports those driving decarbonisation in the most energy-intensive sectors, such as the cement, mining and steel industries, brokering access to hard-to-reach information, and facilitating network relationships across the industry.

The third partner is Smart Surfaces Coalition, an organisation committed to the rapid and cost-effective global adoption of smart surfaces, improving city livability, health, and equity. The Coalition shares analytical tools, training, data, research, and support on influencing city policies, aiming to cost-effectively reduce global CO2-equivalent emissions by 10%.

“It’s more important than ever to prioritise the decarbonisation of our industry. Our Climate Partners bring a wealth of valuable cross-sectoral knowledge and expertise that will benefit our members, and give the wider cement industry a boost in taking real action to mitigate the climate crisis,” said Ian Riley, CEO of WCA. “I’m particularly pleased to count these three impressive organisations as our first Climate Partners and look forward to accelerating environmental and decarbonisation initiatives together, and exploring a range of ongoing initiatives.”

Alex Cameron, founder and CEO of Decarb Connect, and Greg Kats,

CEO & Steering Committee Co-chair of Smart Surfaces Coalition will be speaking at WCA’s Virtual Open Day on 2nd June.