Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, have found that replacing limestone with calcium-rich silicate rocks like basalt can cut cement emissions by over 80%. This method utilizes existing production technology and could reduce energy consumption by 60%. Because the cement industry accounts for roughly 8% of global CO2 emissions, switching to basalt offers a practical path toward net-zero construction. The study indicates that this shift maintains cement quality while potentially creating a market for recoverable by-products.
