climate action

At Holcim, we are taking a science-driven approach on the journey to becoming a net-zero company. We continue to lead our industry with science-based targets and a clearly defined net-zero roadmap.

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Climate action FAQ

What are Holcim's main climate actions?

We were among the first companies worldwide to have our 2030 and 2050 CO₂ reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

In 2022, as we continue to lead our industry in sustainability, we upgraded these targets for 2030 to align with the SBTi’s revised 1.5°C-aligned roadmap.

We have set out a clear pathway to net zero. By offering our low-carbon products and by enabling smart design systems, we will support the shift to more carbon-efficient construction.

We are also decarbonizing our operations by reducing our clinker factor, using alternative fuels, and increasing our thermal substitution rate and renewable energy use.

What are scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions?

Emissions are generally categorized into three scopes, distinguishing emissions from a company's own operations and its wider value chain.

Scope 1 emissions are those that are released directly from our operations.

Scope 2 emissions include indirect emissions from the generation of electricity we purchase.

Scope 3 emissions refer to all other indirect emissions from our value chain.

Our net-zero journey

Our net-zero targets are at the heart of our strategy to accelerate green growth. Transparency about our climate-related progress and performance is a key aspect of this process.

Net-zero enablers

Our net-zero enablers are setting new standards for emissions reductions within the low-carbon construction industry.

Our climate targets

OUR 2030 TARGETS

OUR 2050 TARGETS

In 2022, we updated our 2030 climate targets in line with the SBTi's revised 1.5°C-aligned roadmap. With these upgraded targets, we confirm our commitment to decarbonize building, leveraging the most advanced science.

Holcim commits to reduce gross scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 25% per ton of cementitious materials by 2030 from a 2018 base year.¹ Within this target, Holcim commits to reduce gross scope 1 GHG emissions 22.4% per ton of cementitious material and scope 2 GHG emissions 65% per ton of cementitious materials within the same timeframe.¹

Holcim commits to reduce gross scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services 25.1% per ton of purchased clinker and cement by 2030 from a 2020 base year. Holcim also commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy related activities 20% per ton of purchased fuels by 2030 from a 2020 base year. Furthermore, Holcim commits to reduce scope 3 GHG emissions from downstream transport and distribution 24.3% per ton of materials transported within the same timeframe.

¹The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

We will reduce scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 95% per ton of cementitious materials from a 2018 base year.¹

We will reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2050 from a 2020 base year.²

¹The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
² This net-zero validation was evaluated within the parameters of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and it covers categories 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 of Holcim's scope 3 emissions.

“At Holcim, we are committed to decarbonizing building for a net-zero future. When I see the thorough decarbonization plans we are deploying across our business, I am confident that we will decarbonize building at scale.”

JAN JENISCH| CEO

Memberships and recognitions

Our memberships and recognitions underscore our commitment to becoming a net-zero company.

CONTRIBUTING TO UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

We work to have a positive impact on all 17 UN SDGs. Under our climate action pillar we have identified four goals where we can make a significant difference:

How we are making it happen

Shifting to renewable energy

We are working to decarbonize our sources of energy, increasing alternative and renewable energy across all our operations. We are reducing our scope 2 emissions by installing on-site renewable energy, buying decarbonized electricity through off-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPA's) and turning waste heat into electricity.

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Decarbonizing Holcim with alternative fuels

Replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels, such as biomass and other materials at the end of their life, is one of the key levers of our net-zero journey. We continuously and systematically innovate to accelerate the use of alternative fuels in our cement sites, with some plants in Europe already running at an almost 100% substitution rate.