As of 01 September 2024, all new public projects in Ireland must adhere to newly introduced public procurement guidelines mandating a minimum of 30% clinker substitution in concrete products used in government and public works projects. This step, announced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade, & Employment in May, marks a crucial milestone in Ireland’s commitment to reducing embodied carbon in construction.
Announcing the mandate in May, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, said that the new public procurement guidelines were an important signal for the sector: “The cement sector accounts for nearly 5% of Ireland’s carbon emissions. As a state, we rely on this sector to provide the raw materials to deliver our ambitious public infrastructure and housing projects. In order to reduce embodied emissions while ensuring construction materials are cost-effective and available, the state has to buy smarter and send a medium-term signal that allows manufacturers to invest in decarbonisation.”
Low-carbon cement manufacturer Ecocem has welcomed the move by the government.
Susan McGarry, Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Ecocem Global, commented: “Mandating green procurement requirements for low carbon cement is a bold step towards developing a more sustainable built environment. The new guidelines are an important milestone on the state’s journey towards reducing embodied carbon and developing a net-zero carbon society and economy by 2050, as outlined in the national policy position.
“The focus on mandating low carbon materials for public procurement and specifically identifying clinker reduction targets will help deliver further decarbonisation in construction.
She added: “More widely, as the largest player in the market, the state is sending a strong signal not only to public bodies but to the wider construction industry that we need to accelerate the pace of decarbonisation and drive innovation in the development of low carbon cements and concretes.
“Ireland is now at the forefront of public policy for cement decarbonisation in Europe. This approach could serve as a model for other countries when looking at ways of accelerating change within an industry, without excessive cost.”
