India's cement sector poses formidable challenge to net-zero climate goals

India's construction sector contributes 35% to 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, driven heavily by energy-intensive steel and cement production processes.

Cement manufacturing releases significant carbon dioxide both from heating limestone in kilns to 1,450 degrees Celsius and from the chemical calcination process itself.

Extracting raw limestone requires clearing forests and fertile topsoil, compounding environmental damage while traditional low-emission binders remain commercially underdeveloped.