In a brand new report launched on 24 September, near 50% of worldwide companies surveyed say they’re ready to pay a premium for decrease emission metal and concrete, signaling a robust and rising demand for extra sustainable supplies.
With metal and concrete emissions stated to be chargeable for 15% of worldwide emissions, their pressing decarbonization is vital to assembly the targets outlined within the Paris Settlement.
The analysis and related report have been introduced by Local weather Group and Ramboll at Local weather Week NYC.
The report, “The Steel and Concrete Transformation: 2024 market outlook on lower emission steel and concrete”, comes after over 250 firms globally from 42 international locations and 21 industries have been surveyed on their present readiness to make use of and willingness to pay for decrease emission metal and concrete. It goals to judge enterprise readiness, together with from builders, producers, and utilities, to include decrease emission metal and concrete of their operations, their willingness to pay a premium for these supplies, and the prevailing key boundaries stopping wider adoption.
Optimistic market outlook however boundaries stay
The analysis signifies rising momentum, with 45% of respondents saying they might be keen to pay a premium for emissions reductions of 25% or larger for metal, whereas 57% could be keen to take action for reductions exceeding 50%. For concrete, these numbers have been 40% and 49% respectively. Whereas the flexibility to pay varies throughout sectors and geographies, in comparison with one 12 months in the past 52% of respondents had the next willingness to take action, while 34% reported no change of their stance.
The report additionally suggests companies count on the transition in direction of decrease emission supplies to be inevitable: 78% of respondents answered they count on decrease emission metal and concrete might be commonplace supplies for brand new merchandise or initiatives inside the subsequent decade. This demonstrates a rising recognition throughout industries that the transition to decrease emission supplies is inevitable, pushed by each regulatory pressures and market demand.
Whereas the outlook is broadly constructive, the report additionally centered on the boundaries and options to this widescale adoption and transition. Companies stated whereas progress is accelerating, the best boundaries to adoption stay price (84%), trade conservatism (37%), and lack of information (33%).
By way of options, companies have been clear that governments have a major position to play in supporting them. Monetary levers corresponding to tax incentives, credit, and subsidies (69%), carbon pricing (50%) in addition to minimal product requirements or embodied carbon limits (43%) have been recognized as essential insurance policies for governments to prioritise. With out them, the world is unlikely to see the fast scaling of decrease emission metal and concrete in time. Clear and strong insurance policies should be applied in any respect ranges of presidency, now.
Jen Carson, Head of Business of Local weather Group, stated:
“Enterprise leaders should not solely calling for change – they’re enacting it. This report is an actual temperature examine of the market. It’s vastly encouraging to see the urge for food is right here, now, for organisations to pay a premium for decrease emission metal and concrete. Actors throughout the worth chain – suppliers, governments, and traders – ought to take be aware.
However there’s deep work to be accomplished to hurry up progress. It’s vital that companies could make the precise selections for his or her operations, and the planet, and change to decrease emission metal and concrete. Governments should take heed to their considerations, help their ambition, and act rapidly to take away boundaries. This fashion we are able to unlock company demand to drive actual sector transformation.”
Michael Simmelsgaard, Chief Working Officer of Ramboll, stated:
“The fact that more companies are now willing to pay a premium for lower emission steel and concrete sends a strong signal to the market. To accelerate progress, all actors now need to come together – from policymakers and investors to off-takers of steel and concrete, as well as end users who will need to accept a price premium until the market matures. Let’s build on the momentum we have to drive a rapid and lasting decarbonization of heavy industries on the path to global net zero.”
