Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda join 12-nation coalition to scale blended cement and cut construction emissions

Five more countries have joined a global coalition pushing for blended cement, a lower-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement. The new signatories, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda, bring the total to 12 governments committing to use public procurement and updated standards to boost blended cement use. Blended cement can cut emissions per tonne by up to 50% by using materials like calcined clay and limestone fines instead of energy-intensive clinker. The coalition launch coincides with the Blend Better Cement campaign, backed by UNEP, the Global Cement and Concrete Association, and other groups. With concrete responsible for roughly 7-8% of global CO2 emissions and 75% of infrastructure yet to be built by 2050, scaling blended cement is a practical near-term step. Governments, as major concrete buyers, can create demand and lower costs, helping to decarbonize the construction sector without waiting for new technologies.