The Champion of the COP 25 Presidency, Gonzalo Muñoz, expressed during his speech on the development of the urban environment, the need for housing and infrastructure that requires a cement sector absolutely aligned with those trajectories aimed at sustainability.
SANTO DOMINGO - The National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism recognized the Inter-American Cement Federation (FICEM) and the Dominican Association of Portland Cement Producers (ADOCEM) within the framework of the Regional Climate Week, for contributing to the compensation of CO2 emissions produced during the week of the event.
ADOCEM and FICEM indicated that these emissions will be neutralized with projects of their own within the cement industry, such as increasing co-processing rates, using carbon-neutral electricity, or reducing the clinker content in cement.
“We are very grateful to the government authorities, represented by the Vice President of the Climate Change Council, Mr. Max Puig, as well as the Ministry of the Environment and all those involved who supported us in making this great event carbon neutral. This represents an achievement not only for the cement industry, but for the country as a whole, since we generated approximately 10,000 tons of CO2 through fuel consumption and travel throughout this week, and with the initiatives we mentioned, we managed to achieve carbon-zero emissions,” said Julissa Báez, regarding the recognition received from the Council and the Dominican Government.
During Climate Week, ADOCEM and FICEM demonstrated their commitment to sustainability, creating a space for learning, exchanging experiences, and networking. "Our local industry will continue to promote the initiatives outlined in our roadmap and the country's roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality in the Dominican Republic," Báez reiterated.
During his presentation on urban development, Gonzalo Muñoz, Champion of the COP 25 Presidency, emphasized the need for housing and infrastructure that requires a cement sector fully aligned with sustainability pathways. Muñoz indicated that the cement sector and its carbon emissions commitments can impact countries' mitigation and adaptation goals. "We want to keep this sector very much at the heart of the global climate action agenda," he stated.
"We congratulate the cement companies, because the climate commitments of the cement industry are an example for other sectors, as they have moved from individual commitments to a sector-wide commitment. Something truly remarkable," Muñoz emphasized.
During the Regional Climate Week, the cement industry presented its initiatives in developing a circular economy, with ADOCEM being one of the largest contributors.
"The cement production sector has been one of the largest recyclers in the economy for decades, using different types of waste in the manufacture of its products, both for material and energy recovery, from all types of industrial activities," specified the executive director of ADOCEM.
Báez explained that this material valorization allows the substitution of natural raw materials, avoiding the exploitation of natural resources, and on the other hand, reducing the clinker content per ton of cement manufactured, using these minerals as additives in the final phase of the manufacturing process and thus increasing the quality and diversity of the cement.
"Thanks to the material and energy recovery of waste, the cement industry is making the transition from waste to resource a reality," Julissa Báez emphasized.
