Decarbonisation can’t be through deindustrialisation, says MPA

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the UK Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) latest carbon budget but warns that decarbonisation must not come at the cost of deindustrialisation.

The CCC’s 7th carbon budget highlights the importance of carbon capture in reducing emissions from cement and lime production, where process emissions are unavoidable. MPA agrees, stating that a combination of carbon capture and the use of waste biomass as fuel could allow the industry to go beyond net zero.

Dr Diana Casey, MPA’s executive director for energy and climate change, said, “The CCC have set out a challenging 7th carbon budget which will only be met by taking action now. The Government must urgently implement policies to attract investment to the UK to ensure we have a secure supply of low carbon cement to meet the UK’s ambitions for economic growth and decarbonisation by 2050.”

Hydrogen could also play a role in decarbonisation, but MPA stresses that it must be affordable and available in sufficient quantities. While some cement and lime plants are in industrial clusters that can collaborate on carbon capture and hydrogen projects, around half of UK producers are outside these clusters, making the transition more complex. Quarry operators looking to use hydrogen-powered machinery will also need solutions that do not rely on the gas grid.

MPA is calling for government policies that protect domestic cement and lime production while enabling the transition to net zero. Key asks include a strong carbon border adjustment mechanism, clarity on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme beyond 2027, and support for dispersed sites and large-scale carbon capture projects such as the Peak Cluster, which aims to capture over 3 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

MPA also raises concerns about the CCC’s assumptions on resource efficiency in cement production. While the industry is working to reduce emissions through alternative materials, their availability and impact on cement performance mean they cannot replace traditional materials in all applications.

MPA argues that UK decarbonisation efforts should focus on reducing total consumption emissions, including those from imported materials. Cement imports now make up 32% of the UK market, despite stable demand, showing that the UK is cutting emissions by shifting production overseas—threatening rural jobs and supply chain resilience.