THE Philippines on Monday launched its first Cement and Concrete Industry Decarbonization Roadmap, laying out a long-term strategy to reduce emissions from one of the country’s most carbon-intensive industries.
The roadmap, launched by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with the Government of Canada, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), outlines the sector’s decarbonization pathway through 2050 with milestones set every five years.
The initiative is expected to guide the cement industry’s transition toward lower-carbon production while maintaining the supply of cement needed for infrastructure, housing, and other construction projects.
The roadmap was developed under Unido’s cement and concrete decarbonization project, funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
With the launch, the Philippines became the second country in Southeast Asia after Thailand to adopt a national cement decarbonization framework.
According to CeMAP, the roadmap provides a science-based framework for reducing emissions by increasing the production of low-carbon cement, expanding the use of alternative and renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, developing new supplementary cementitious materials, and eventually deploying carbon capture technologies.
For his part, CeMAP President John Reinier Dizon said the roadmap provides a common direction for both government and industry as the country pursues economic development alongside climate goals.
“Developing and implementing a Cement and Concrete Decarbonization Roadmap is important because it provides a clear, coordinated strategy for one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries to reduce emissions while continuing to support economic growth and infrastructure development,” Dizon said.
The roadmap, Dizon said, also “provides a clear pathway for government and industry to work together in securing a sustainable future for both economic growth and environmental stewardship.”
In January this year, however, Dizon acknowledged that reaching net-zero emissions would be challenging for the industry, given the nature of cement manufacturing. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/01/26/cement-industry-banking-on-alternative-fuels-to-slash-carbon-dioxide-emissions/)
He also said the roadmap is voluntary and does not impose legally binding obligations on participating companies, but instead serves as a commitment for firms seeking to make their operations more sustainable.
Data cited by the Unido on its website showed that the Philippine cement industry produced more than 27 million metric tons in 2024, supported by an installed production capacity of about 53 million metric tons.
The roadmap’s rollout comes as the government increasingly incorporates sustainability into public policy.
Measures such as the New Government Procurement Reform Act and the Tatak Pinoy Act include provisions promoting sustainable procurement, which could encourage greater demand for lower-carbon construction materials.
Dizon had earlier said the roadmap, initially targeted for completion in February, was intended to be presented during an Asean meeting hosted by the Philippines in March.
The official launch took place after further consultations and refinement of the framework.
Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/06/30/phl-cement-roadmap-charts-long-road-to-net-zero/
