A recent report constructed by engineering company Hatch has identified the promising potential of “green concrete” as a key player towards Australia’s ultimate goal of decarbonisation. 

Structural engineer at Hatch Australia and author of the report, Dr Ezgi Kaya highlighted that green concrete can serve as both an excellent solution for reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry through being a environmentally friendly alternative to traditional concrete. 

Dr Kaya stated that “Unlike conventional concrete, which requires a considerable amount of energy and resources to produce, green concrete often uses recycled materials and minimises the use of Portland cement, a major contributor to carbon emissions,”

Concrete is currently ranked as the largest contributor to the industries carbon footprint as it is the second most consumer material in the world behind water as the material contributes to 8% of the worlds carbon emissions, being greater than that of all countries except for China and the United States. 

“Given that the carbon reduction achieved through its use can be as much as 80% the potential for green concrete to positively impact our emissions targets is monumental,” Dr Kaya explained. 

The engineer emphasised the potential for Australia’s green concrete usage due to its abundance of resources, such as recycled aggregates, fly ash and slag. The materials are used as an alternative to traditional aggregates and cement therefore making the production of green concrete more sustainable and eco-friendlier. Ultimately, replacing just 50% of traditional concrete with green concrete could potentially reduce carbon emissions in Australia by 17 million tonnes annually, which his equivalent to removing 4 million cars from the road. 

Many more industries across the globe are now beginning to move towards the use of green concrete as the material has been used in the construction of many high-profile buildings, namely, The Louvre Abu Dhabi and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Australian industry leaders are now beginning to recognise the benefits of green concrete.

Dr Kaya has additionally stated that “As Australia continues to push towards a sustainable future, the adoption of green concrete is a crucial step in achieving its decarbonisation goals. By embracing this innovative and environmentally friendly construction material, Australia can not only reduce its carbon footprint but also create a more sustainable and resilient built environment,”