Decarbonization

CRH is well positioned to meet the increasing customer demand for solutions to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Decarbonizing the built environment is an important part of tackling climate change. By scaling decarbonization strategies across our business we are delivering and innovating solutions for our customers to construct and renovate resilient, lower-carbon buildings and infrastructure, and to enable clean energy and transportation.

In addition, we are committed to further reducing CO₂ from our operations and supply chain by investing in technologies that deliver significant CO₂ savings.

Action Spotlights

Examples of how our business is moving towards our 2050 net zero carbon ambition.

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Tarmac, in CRH’s International Division, recently completed an innovative resurfacing scheme on the A64 Bramham in the UK, with a 75% reduction in...

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Tarmac, in CRH’s International Division, recently completed an innovative resurfacing scheme on the A64 Bramham in the UK, with a 75% reduction in the carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. This was achieved by combining biogenic and long-life asphalt technology, renewable fuels and deployment of advanced paving techniques. Reclaimed asphalt planings from the existing carriageway were reused in the base binder and surface course of the new road, improving the life-cycle CO2 emissions of the project.

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

EQIOM, in CRH’s International Division, has launched the first phase of a project to reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of clinker from their Lumbres...

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

EQIOM, in CRH’s International Division, has launched the first phase of a project to reduce CO2 emissions per tonne of clinker from their Lumbres Cement Plant in France. One of the first significant investments of the project is the installation of a new kiln. Once complete, the project, known as ‘K6’, will increase the thermal efficiency of the plant, reduce water consumption and accelerate the substitution of fossil fuels with alternative fuels.

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

We are transitioning to cleaner electricity, securing more sources of electricity and driving electrification. Romcim, in CRH’s International...

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

We are transitioning to cleaner electricity, securing more sources of electricity and driving electrification. Romcim, in CRH’s International Division, has installed five wind turbines with a total capacity of c.30 MW at their cement plant site in Medgidia. The wind farm is Romania’s first wind farm exclusively powering a cement plant and will generate clean and renewable energy, contributing a reduction of over 36,000 tonnes of CO2 annually to the national energy mix.

Solving Customer Challenges

We are helping to solve our customers’ complex construction and decarbonization challenges. For example, Dufferin Concrete, in CRH’s Americas...

Solving Customer Challenges

We are helping to solve our customers’ complex construction and decarbonization challenges. For example, Dufferin Concrete, in CRH’s Americas Division, supplied 40,000 m3 of concrete for the River and Fifth Condo in Toronto, Canada. The use of a lower CO2 concrete mix reduced the project’s CO2 footprint and addressed the challenge of high heat of hydration as thick concrete elements are cured.

CRH has an absolute CO₂ emissions reduction target of 30% by 2030 (from a 2021 base year) inclusive of organic business growth. This target applies to our group-wide gross carbon emissions and covers our total footprint across Scope 1, 2 and 3. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated our targets to be in line with a 1.5°C trajectory¹. We are actively reducing CO₂ across our business and value chain, with a decarbonization roadmap to 2030 deploying known solutions that lower CO₂ emissions.

Our 2024 Performance:

Our Scope 1 and Scope 2 (Market) absolute CO2e emissions decreased by 4%, from 31.0 million tonnes in 2023 to 29.7 million tonnes

Find out more about what we are doing on Decarbonization:

2024 Sustainability Performance Report

1 SBTi validated target wording: CRH commits to reduce gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 33.5% per tonne of cementitious product by 2030 from a 2021 base year*. CRH also commits to reduce absolute gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions from other activities 42.0% by 2030 from a 2021 base year*. CRH further commits to reduce gross Scope 3 GHG emissions 23.5% from purchased clinker and cement per tonne purchased over the same timeframe. *The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.

Building the world

How we are organised

Industry-leading value & returns

Ready to take the next step?

Accelerating progress towards net zero

Media Factsheet

Decarbonization

Action Spotlights

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

Solving Customer Challenges

Solving Customer Challenges

Our Targets and Progress

2030 target: 30% absolute reduction in group-wide CO2e emissions (from a 2021 base year)

Decarbonization

Action Spotlights

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Delivering a Lower-Carbon Future

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

Investing in Lower-Carbon Operations

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

Accelerating Cleaner Electricity

Solving Customer Challenges

Solving Customer Challenges

Our Targets and Progress

2030 target: 30% absolute reduction in group-wide CO2e emissions (from a 2021 base year)

Circularity

Water