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Mineral Products Assoc. calls for resistance against carbon reduction

Jan, 29 2010

(London, UK) -- The Mineral Products Association has called on the UK government to resist moves to increase its commitment to a -30% carbon reduction target until further comparable unilateral commitments are made by other major economies.

Dr Pal Chana, MPA's executive director cement and lime, said: “The government should stick to its current EU policy commitment of -20% when the issue is debated at the European Council meeting on February 11 unless other countries agree to fall in line.”

In a few days, all international governments will declare their domestic carbon reduction commitments under the 2009 Copenhagen Accord.

The European Council of 10/11 December 2009 reiterated the EU’s conditions to move from -20% to -30%. The Conditions are that other developed countries should also commit themselves to comparable emission reductions. The developing countries should make their contribution in accordance with their responsibilities and capabilities.

Since these conditions have so far neither been met by developed countries or developing countries, MPA has warned the government against increasing its carbon reduction commitment.

“Carbon leakage, where cement and lime production moves off-shore to countries without comparable carbon constraints taking our climate change responsibility and jobs with it is a real threat if the government and the EU unilaterally adopt a -30% reduction target. It is vital that the UK government recognises this and acts accordingly” said Dr Chana.

The UK the cement industry has contributed a lot towards the minimization of carbon footprint by increasing investment in process efficiency, increasing the use of waste derived fuels in place of virgin fossil fuels and increasing the supply of blended cements. With these measures, the UK cement industry reduced its CO2 emissions by 40% between 1990 and 2008.


By Rashmi Kalia  [aggregateRESEARCH.com]