Summary of the Article: Sustainable Concrete Buyers Alliance (SCoBA)
This article details the formation of the Sustainable Concrete Buyers Alliance (SCoBA), a group aiming to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon concrete and cement.Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* The Problem: large cement suppliers are hesitant to invest in expensive decarbonization retrofits without guaranteed demand. Conversely, buyers wanting low-carbon options struggle to find reliable suppliers due to perceived lack of demand.
* scoba’s Solution: SCoBA, led by RMI and the Center for Green market Activation, will leverage the collective purchasing power of its members (including Prologis) to create demand for low-carbon concrete.
* “Book-and-Claim” System: SCoBA will utilize a “book-and-claim” system, similar to renewable energy certificates. This allows buyers to purchase environmental attribute certificates for low-carbon concrete without needing physical shipment from distant producers, overcoming geographical limitations. The concrete itself is sourced locally.
* Benefits:
* For suppliers: Provides financial incentive and market certainty to invest in decarbonization technologies.
* For Buyers: Allows them to reduce their emissions and access sustainable materials.
* For innovators: Creates a faster path to market for startups like Brimstone, developing new low-carbon cement technologies.
* Key Players: RMI, Center for Green Market Activation, Prologis, and companies like Brimstone.
In essence, SCoBA aims to bridge the gap between supply and demand for sustainable concrete, fostering a market that supports decarbonization in the construction industry.
