The impact of carbon emissions on the planet and the future of the next generations.

There is a growing consensus within the international community regarding the importance of reducing carbon emissions , the main compound responsible for the planet's rising temperature.

The result of global warming is having catastrophic effects on life on Earth – such as melting glaciers, intense heat waves, tsunamis, and altered food chains.

The Paris Agreement, COP 21 in 2015, was a major milestone in the fight against climate change. The main objectives of the Paris Agreement are to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Signatory countries agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 , through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and established a transparency mechanism to monitor and report progress.

The countries that signed the COP have implemented practical actions to reduce CO2 emissions , including setting emission reduction targets, investing in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, encouraging sustainable transport, reforestation and forest conservation, and promoting the circular economy . These measures aim to reduce CO2 emissions , minimize energy consumption, and promote sustainability to mitigate climate change.

We need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a balance between what humans emit and what nature absorbs in terms of carbon. Adopting these measures is no longer a matter of choice, but of survival for future generations.

Novakem, as one of the leading companies in the chemical additives sector for cement and concrete , as well as mining, is aware of the impact that carbon emissions have on the planet and their importance for the future of the next generations. Through its customized chemical solutions for the industry, it can contribute to the pursuit of a net-zero CO2 emissions balance .

Why does carbon dioxide (CO2 ) cause the greenhouse effect?

CO2 It is a greenhouse gas because it allows solar radiation to penetrate the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface. However, when this radiation is reflected back into space as infrared radiation, CO2 absorbs some of it, trapping it in the atmosphere. This creates a greenhouse effect, similar to the glass of a greenhouse, where thermal energy is trapped, leading to warming.

By increasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, we are intensifying the greenhouse effect and causing an energy imbalance in Earth's climate system. CO2 has a long atmospheric residence time, meaning it can remain in the atmosphere for decades or centuries. This results in a continuous accumulation of CO2 , leading to a gradual increase in global temperature.

What is the impact of the cement industry on CO2 emissions ?

The cement industry has a significant impact on global CO2 emissions . Cement production involves the calcination of limestone in kilns at high temperatures, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) as a byproduct. Furthermore, the energy required to heat the kilns is usually generated from fossil fuels, which also emit CO2 .

According to estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cement industry is responsible for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions related to human activity . This number can vary depending on the region and the growth of the industry in different countries.

To address this challenge, the cement industry has been seeking measures to reduce its CO2 emissions . This includes the use of more efficient and less carbon-intensive technologies, such as the implementation of more efficient cement kilns, the use of alternative and renewable fuels, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and research and development of new cementitious materials with a smaller carbon footprint.

Awareness of the impact of the cement industry on CO2 emissions has led to a greater push for the adoption of more sustainable practices and technological innovations. Collaboration between governments, industry, and research institutions is fundamental to driving the reduction of CO2 emissions in the cement industry and achieving the goals set in international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, to mitigate climate change.

We believe that a more just and sustainable world is built upon transformative attitudes. Attitudes that can influence people, motivate change, and positively impact society and the environment.

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Novakem's role in
reduction of CO2 emissions
and greenhouse gases

Novakem has invested in innovation and research to develop products that help customers reduce the impact of their CO2 emissions , increase the use of supplementary cementitious materials in cement production, use alternative fuels during co-processing in the cement industry, and make less intensive use of non-renewable resources in concrete production and mining.

We are doing our part.

Novakem has made a commitment to society and the planet, and we are reinventing the way we produce products and technologies to help our customers reduce CO2 emissions and environmental impact.

The CO2 Reduction Estimator (Approximate) The Novakem ER-CO2 figure below is updated daily, taking into account the average reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our customers resulting from the use of Novakem products. It is based on the average consumption of chemical additives used by our customers since the beginning of 2023.

0

9

5

7

9

2

9 ,

3

2

.

Million

Thousand

Ton of CO2

* Methodology: World Business Council for Sustainable Development
CSI - Cement Sustainability Concil - The CO 2 protocol June/ 2005

Direct emissions scope 1; Indirect emissions scope 2; 862 kg CO2/ton (clinker); 82 kg CO2 / MWh (electricity); 540 kg CO2 / ton cement in Brazil

Established methodologies* were used for the estimates, based on the replacement of clinker in cement, the use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency in grinding, and the production of more durable concrete with less binder.