The carbon footprint of cement

The images show a tonne of cement (20 x 50kg) alongside the 1.25 tonnes of carbon dioxide gas associated with production. The spheres are kg spheres.  The 1.25 tonnes is taken from the IPCC.

We have been looking at how carbon can be released in the production of some materials common to modern construction. These sketches show the carbon footprint of a tonne of cement. The bubbles show emissions of carbon dioxide (a release of carbon dioxide from the manufacture of the material).

You can contrast this with images we have done showing a carbon saving from natural materials. This is carbon that is ‘banked’ within the construction of a building using these materials.