Pioneering Global Standard Promotes Sustainable Procurement in Construction. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the world’s first Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) system for cement and concrete, a transformative step towards sustainable construction.
Global Carbon Rating System for Cement: As cement and concrete remain the most used materials globally after water, this new system is expected to revolutionise how these essential materials are sourced and specified across industries.
What Is the Low Carbon Ratings System?
Designed with global applicability in mind, the LCR system introduces a clear and intuitive AA to G rating scale that evaluates the carbon footprint of cement and concrete products.
This standard provides:
- Transparent, consistent measurement of embedded carbon
- A recognisable graphic interface for easy understanding
- Flexibility for countries to adopt or adapt based on local carbon accounting systems
Inspired by existing frameworks like the EU Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home
Energy Rating System, the LCR makes sustainability credentials accessible not only to policymakers and architects but also to contractors and procurement teams at every level.
Why It Matters for Industry
As a supplier of hard-wearing, wear-resistant process plant and equipment, Kingfisher Industrial recognises the importance of building sustainability into every part of the supply chain. The ability to specify low-carbon construction materials can have a direct impact on the lifecycle emissions of infrastructure projects, aligning with the goals of net-zero industrial operations.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, highlighted the significance of this development:
“Our Low Carbon Ratings system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will empower the entire value chain to accelerate decarbonisation.”
At a time when green infrastructure and low-carbon manufacturing are rising priorities, Kingfisher Industrial welcomes this effort to bring greater transparency and trust into material selection.
Industry-Wide Support
The system has been welcomed by sustainability leaders and global institutions. Riccardo Savigliano, Chief of the Energy Systems and Decarbonization Unit at UNIDO, praised the initiative as:
“A huge step forward towards harmonising global definitions for low-emission cement and concrete.”
Construction industry expert Marlène Dance of Bouygues Bâtiment International added:
“A user-friendly carbon rating system, adopted universally, could be a game changer… empowering site crews to better understand and manage their environmental impact.”
Relevance to Kingfisher’s Mission
Kingfisher Industrial is committed to supporting customers in industries such as quarrying, cement production, and energy power generation through robust, long-lasting solutions that minimise downtime and reduce overall environmental impact. The adoption of the LCR framework aligns with our vision of smarter, cleaner and more resilient industrial environments.
As governments, contractors and specifiers integrate this global rating into their procurement processes, it will no doubt push the cement and concrete supply chain to pursue further innovations in decarbonisation — a trend Kingfisher Industrial fully supports.
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References
Global Cement and Concrete Association (2025). Low Carbon Ratings System for Cement and Concrete. [Press release]
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