After water, concrete is the most used substance in the world. Annually, for every person on earth a cubic meter (approx. 2.4 tonnes) of concrete is poured. Concrete is responsible for 6% of worldwide CO₂ emissions — to put this in context, aviation barely reaches 3%. The main culprit in concrete is its most important ingredient: cement. Over 90% of the emissions from concrete come from the manufacture of cement. For every tonne of cement produced, approximately a tonne of CO₂ is released into the atmosphere.

Ecocem’s cement is a recycled industrial by-product and its’ carbon footprint weighs in at a tiny 25kg!!! On top of this, concrete made with Ecocem cement is stronger, better looking and lasts twice as long as ordinary concrete — without adding to the price! In Ireland, Ecocem have had a hugely positive impact on the environment making the single largest reduction in CO₂ emissions. To date, over 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions have been avoided by the use of the Ecocem product.

Ecocem’s presence in Ireland is now under threat. Due to incorrect application of the European Emissions Trading Scheme in Ireland, Ecocem are in a position where competitors access to the all important raw materials is subsidised. Ecocem’s only access to subsidies for the purchase of raw materials lies in gaining financial recognition for its role in reducing CO₂ emissions in Ireland. Their only option is trading Verified Emission Reductions in the Voluntary Market.

Unless Ecocem manage to raise the finance necessary to purchase raw materials for the manufacture of environmentally friendly cement in Ireland, they will be forced end production, adding 320,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions to Ireland’s annual carbon footprint.

In late 2007 after a long certification process, UN accredited auditors SGS, certified that Ecocem make a real and measurable reduction in CO₂ emissions in Ireland. Ecocem can now sell VERs validated and verified to the highest international applicable standard: the Voluntary Carbon Standard. Ecocem need to sell the VERs to ensure continued production of environmentally friendly cement in Ireland and the further development of the company — resulting in further CO₂ reductions worldwide. An Ireland without Ecocem would mean an increase in CO₂ emissions of around 300,000 tonnes costing the Irish Taxpayer at least €6,000,000 every year!

Due to continuing development Ecocem will be reducing CO₂ emissions in Europe by One Million Tonnes every year from 2009. The worldwide potential for Ecocem’s technology is a further reduction of 89 Million Tonnes per year.

In short, your investment in Verified Emission Reductions from Ecocem allows us to continue making the single largest reduction of CO₂ emissions in Ireland and accelerates the application of our technology worldwide.

If you have any questions of concerns please contact a member of the team at info@emissionzero.ie