Concrete NZ welcomes the Sustainable Steel Council's newly released roadmap outlining the steel industry's pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050 as another positive step for New Zealand's construction and infrastructure ecosystem.

A CONNECTED CONSTRUCTION ECOSYSTEM
The steel industry roadmap reflects growing alignment across the built environment on the importance of co-ordinated, long-term emissions reduction strategies, and I commend the Sustainable Steel Council on taking this strong, positive step.

It is encouraging to see another key construction material industry articulate a clear pathway to net-zero. Achieving New Zealand's climate goals will require contributions from across the entire value chain.

Concrete NZ published the cement and concrete industry's own roadmap in 2023 – A Net-Zero Carbon Concrete Industry for Aotearoa New Zealand: Roadmap to 2050 – setting out a comprehensive and measurable pathway aligned with both domestic and international commitments.

THE RIGHT MATERIAL FOR THE RIGHT APPLICATION
Concrete NZ's Reinforcing Processors Group contributed to the steel industry roadmap through the Sustainable Steel Council's stakeholder engagement process. This involvement reflects the interconnected nature of concrete and steel supply chains, particularly in reinforced concrete construction.

The steel and concrete industries play critical and complementary roles in delivering resilient, low-carbon infrastructure, from transport networks and water systems to energy and housing. The increasing availability of low-carbon, recycled steel reinforcing for use in structural concrete is a positive example of how cross-material innovation is helping to reduce construction emissions.

This is not about one material versus another. It is about ensuring the right material is used in the right application, supported by robust data, whole-of-life thinking and performance-based design.

FROM ROADMAP TO IMPLEMENTATION
The cement and concrete roadmap outlines a practical transition, including reducing clinker content, increasing the use of supplementary cementitious materials, improving production efficiency and advancing carbon capture technologies.

I'm particularly encouraged by Concrete NZ's soon-to-be-released Transformation to a Low-Carbon Concrete Industry report, which translates the roadmap into practical action. It confirms decarbonisation is achievable and already underway, while identifying priorities including improving understanding of low-carbon concrete, strengthening supply data and providing clear specification guidance to support greater market uptake.

POLICY MUST SUPPORT PROGRESS
I also stress the importance of consistent policy settings, materials-neutral procurement, and recognising whole-of-life carbon performance to support informed decision-making across the construction sector.

BUILDING MOMENTUM TOGETHER
As more industry roadmaps emerge, the opportunity is to align efforts, share innovation and accelerate progress collectively.

Concrete NZ looks forward to continuing to work alongside industry partners, including the Sustainable Steel Council, to support practical, scalable solutions that contribute to New Zealand's transition to a low-emissions future.
 

Rob Gaimster
Chief Executive – Concrete NZ