Environmental concrete for sustainable construction

Abstract

EN: Concrete is a durable and adaptable building material capable of creating long-lasting structures, making it the world's second most utilized substance, only surpassed by water. In 2021, the production of cement reached approximately 4.1 billion tons, with concrete consumption being about 7 times that amount. The construction sector's considerable environmental footprint, particularly through concrete use, underscores the need for sustainable practices in concrete construction. The manufacture of Portland cement, a key ingredient in concrete, accounts for about 7–8 % of the world's CO2 emissions. Such a substantial environmental impact, along with the exhaustion of resources like aggregates and water, has sparked concerns over the sustainability of using concrete and prompted a shift towards achieving climate neutrality globally.