Decarbonising cement: Areview of EU and Germanpolicies and regulations,withrecommendations for China Author James Bowen Contributors and reviewers Ling Liao, Anna Nilsson, Nandini Das, Hannah Grant, Michiel Schaeffer, Paul Recknagel,Yixing Chen, Yongbin Fan, Xudong Zhao Editing CindyBaxter About Climate Analytics Climate Analytics is a global climate science and policy institute. Our mission is todeliver cutting-edge science, analysis and support to accelerate climate action and keepwarming below 1.5°C. Acknowledgments This report is an output of the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change (SGCCC)–NDC Implementation project, which wascommissioned by theGermanFederal Ministryfor Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)as part of the International Climate Initiative(IKI). The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of Chinaispolitical partnerto the project. Deutsche Gesellschaft für InternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHimplements the projecttogether with the National Centerfor Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) of China,NewClimate Institute for Climate Policy and Global Sustainability (NCI) gGmbH, andClimate Analytics (CA) gGmbH. The IKI isakey German Federal Governmentinstrumentforsupportinginternational climateaction and biodiversity. Thisreportforms part of a broader studytosupport efforts to decarbonise the cementindustry in theChineseprovinces of Anhui and Sichuan. It provides insights fromEurope and Germany to serve as reference points for shaping effective regionaldevelopment strategies and thus aims to contribute to China achieving its climatetargets. By examining policies and regulations deployed elsewhere, it offers acomparative perspective to inform policymaking,tofacilitategreenhouse gas emissionmitigationatthelocal level. The author gratefully acknowledgesthe valuable reviewsprovided bytheChina Cement Association. Disclaimer The findings, interpretations and conclusions contained in this report represent theviews and opinions of the author alone. The report does not reflect the views andopinions of GIZ or BMWE. Copyright You are welcome to reproduce this publication in whole or part for non-commercialpurposes. We ask that you duly acknowledge Climate Analytics and link to theoriginalpublication on our website when publishing online. This content cannot be resold orused by for-profit organisations without prior written consent from Climate Analytics. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. How to cite: Climate Analytics (2025).Decarbonisingcement: A reviewof Europeanpolicies and regulationswith recommendations for China. Abbreviations AVV Klima: German General Administrative Regulation on the Procurement of ClimateFriendly ServicesBECCS: bioenergy with carbon capture and storageBIK: German Federal Fund for Industry and Climate ActionBNB: German Sustainable Buildings Assessment SystemBMWE: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and EnergyBMWK: German Federal Ministry forEconomic Affairs and Climate ChangeCCfD: carbon contracts for differenceCBAM: Carbon Border Adjustment MechanismCBMF: China Building Materials FederationCCS: carbon capture and storageCCU: carbon capture and utilisationCCUS: carbon capture, utilisation, and storageCCA: China Cement AssociationCDI: German Cluster Decarbonisation in Industries programCDW: construction and demolition wasteCDR: carbon dioxide removalCEA: German Circular Economy ActCEAP: EU Circular Economy Action PlanCEF:Connecting Europe FacilityCEMBUREAU: European Cement AssociationCES: German National Circular Economy StrategyCNS: VDZ Climate Neutrality ScenarioCO2: carbon dioxideCPR: EU Construction Products RegulationCSA: calcium sulfo-aluminateECRA: European Cement Research AssociationEIC: European Innovation CouncilEPR: extended producer responsibilityESPR: EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products RegulationETS: Emissions Trading SystemETD: EU Energy Taxation DirectiveEU: European UnionEUR/tCO2: euros per tonne of carbon dioxideEUR: eurosFID: final investment decisiongCO2/kg: grams of carbon dioxide per kilogramgCO2e/kWh: grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hourGCCA: Global Cement and Concrete AssociationGDIP: EU Green Deal Industrial PlanGHG: greenhouse gas emissions GJ: gigajouleGt: gigatonneGtCO2: gigatonnes of carbon dioxideGPP: green public procurementICMS: the EU Industrial Carbon Management StrategyIDDI: Industrial Deep Decarbonization InitiativeIEA: International EnergyAgencyIPCEI: Important Projects of Common European Interestkg: kilogramkgCO2/t: kilogramsof carbon dioxide per tonnekgCO2/MJ: kilogramsof carbon dioxide per megajouleLC3: Calcined clay with fine limestoneMJ: megajouleMJ/t: megajoules pertonneMt: megatonneMtCO2: megatonnes of carbon dioxideNZIA: EU Net Zero Industry ActNZE: International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions scenarioR&D: research and developmentRED: EU Renewable Energy DirectiveRMB: Chinese renminbiRMI: Rocky Mountain InstituteSCMs: supplementary cementiti