event details - Decarbonizing Pakistan's Cement Sector: Pathways to lever Net zero Commitment

Concept Note:

Industries are the backbone of the modern economy, providing the energy and materials vital to sustain and grow in modern society, while on the flip side industrial emission profile is alarming i.e., 30% of GHG. Particularly, five heavy industries- cement and concrete, iron and steel, oil and gas, chemicals, and coal mining- together represent 80% of all industrial emissions and need to make a major shift. The cement sector is widely used now! Rapid urbanization, the need for dwellings and modern infrastructure will likely continue to fuel the demand for cement to build. Hence, in the wake of massive climatic concern, global climate commitment to stabilize the temperature well below 2oC, and NDC targets vigorous transformation is expected. However, it comes with the challenges to change course for developing economies, long investment cycles, low margins, insufficient technologies, and finances. Since Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, due to environmental concerns and transitioning towards

clean energy it is imperative that “green competition” be pursued to generate competitiveness. Furthermore, the commitments made in the NDCs provide Pakistan with the means to decarbonize its industrial sector. Most importantly the cement sector of Pakistan in 2021 contributes 8.9MT GHG emissions, its production requires multiple stage tailored processes from changes in inputs to shifts towards cleaner fuels to electrification and incorporation of carbon capture accompanied with high temperature process for coal and gas burning. In a nutshell, there are various pathways through which decarbonization of the cement sector could be achieved: driving down the use of clinker, capturing additional heat along with process emissions and technological interventions i.e., carbon capture and storage (CCS), electrification and energy efficiency. Though, this dual transformation of the energy and industrial sector would require a coordinated effort across all sectors of the economy. Here the private sector could play a part by devising a road map for industrial decarbonization on the local and regional levels through incentivizing and regularizing the cause of decarbonization. Besides this, the industry should also investigate a detailed review of facilities and availabilities of low-cost electricity, hydrogen, biomass, and carbon storage capacity. Under the discussion put together above regarding the urgency and commitment to tackle the energy crises, climate commitments and reducing GHG emissions through sustainable pathways in Pakistan; the discussion seeks to explore the prospects around opportunities and challenges here!

· To explore and analyze the possible transitions of the cement sector under a 2-degree target, while considering the socio-economic uncertainty.

· To investigate the policies and promising decarbonizing technologies that could lever the Pakistan cement sector through incentivization and cost-effective way.

· To discover opportunities and challenges the cement sector has in terms of technological interventions, investments, and carbon storage infrastructure.