Egypt's cement sector has been requested to reduce its carbon footprint in light of the state's directions to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, according to recent studies.
The CEO of Dcode for Economic and Financial Consultations (Dcode EFC), Mohamed Abdel Aziz, explained that the private cement sector must find solutions to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.
He called for increasing scientific research and development to use recycled materials and alternative sources of energy.
Speaking at the "Cement Industry and Sustainable Development" conference, organized by Lafarge Egypt, a member of the global "Holcim" group, Abdel Aziz pointed to the importance of the state's role in encouraging and facilitating the use of environmentally friendly products in construction.
CEO of Lafarge Egypt Solomon Baumgartner Aviles said that the company focuses on sustainable development from the circular economy, one of the pillars of Egypt's Vision 2030.
Lafarge is fully committed to contributing to the achievement of the goals of Holcim, which include reducing the carbon dioxide intensity to more than 20 percent until 2030.
He also indicated that Lafarge is collaborating with Holcim after it partnered with SBTi for goals beyond 2030 by setting the first climate targets for a future of 1.5°C in the cement sector by 2050.
Aviles added that innovation is one of the axes of Egypt's Vision 2030, which shares the same vision with Lafarge Egypt through the production of environmentally friendly cement products.
He pointed to the company's plan to increase exports, as Lafarge seeks to open new markets for export, expressing the importance of raising taxes on production inputs such as limestone granules, linking energy prices to international standards, and securing their availability.
Aviles also called reducing transportation time, refunding payments in the export support program, rehabilitating port infrastructure, and creating an efficient port structure that can accommodate heavy trade.