Cemex subsidiary Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) have announced that they are working together in three key areas to move the region closer to resiliency and carbon neutrality.

According to Cemex, the objective is to spur additional development in these areas including greening Caribbean cement products, exploring alternative fuels and promoting more resilient housing.

“The importance of this action cannot be understated as the region becomes increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Supporting the Caribbean in building resilience and identifying new solutions is an important step in canvassing wider industry support to reach climate commitments,” the company said in a release on Tuesday (March 28).

The CCSA was conceptualised after the 2017 hurricane season when hurricanes Maria and Irma destroyed parts of the Caribbean.

The company said, since its 2020 incorporation it has unlocked opportunities to transform the region’s economy through sustainable development by identifying local innovations capable of building resilience and matching them with adequate funding sources and support.

The CCSA has been involved in several regional initiatives for green construction including ongoing collaborations with CRDC Global and Partanna.

According to the release, this collaboration between CCSA and Cemex TCL will play an important role in helping the Caribbean region to become more climate resilient.

Racquel Moses, CEO at CCSA said, “We are excited to collaborate with Cemex, they’re a regional and global leader who are actively demonstrating through “Future in Action” their commitment to climate action and our transition. Building our resilience and adapting to climate change is paramount. This collaboration with them, along with others addressing this most critical issue showcases our model of collaboration. The only way to pursue climate action is with all hands-on deck.”

Under its Future in Action programme, Cemex announced a climate action target of a reduction of 47 per cent of its CO2 emissions in cement by 2030.

Specific goals outlined

Additionally, the company set a goal for clean electricity consumption of 65 per cent by 2030.

These goals are the most ambitious in the cement industry and are verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) according to the well-below 1.5°C scenario.

Cemex is expecting these intermediate goals to assist the company in fulfilling its 2050 goal of being net-zero carbon in concrete.

“We continue to accelerate our commitment to become a net-zero CO2 company by 2050,” said Francisco Aguilera, managing director at Trinidad Cement Limited.

“Exploring this collaboration reinforces our commitment and supports the region in building resilience and taking climate action for a greener, more sustainable Caribbean.”