Cement Energy & Environment

22 The Low-Carbon Tonne: Decarbonizing Cement with Green Energy andWater Positivity Shrivats Singhania, Deputy Managing Director JK Lakshmi Cement Limited What if every tonne of cement built not just cities, but a cleaner future? As India accelerates its infrastructure drive, this question looms large over one of its most vital industries. Cement is the backbone of national development and yet it accounts for nearly 8% of India’s CO 2 emissions, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. This is a clear reminder of the fact that progress and pollution often rise together. The challenge now is to rewrite that equation. The solution lies in a broader reimagination of what the cement industry stands for. It is no longer about pushing the limits of capacity or speed, but about redefining the meaning of progress itself. This is where the concept of the low-carbon transition - often referred to as the Low-Carbon Tonne, becomes relevant as a moral and strategic compass for the sector. The essence of this approach lies in producing cement that carries a lighter footprint from its very origin. It means embedding renewable energy into core operations, not just as an add- on, but as a reliable source of power that drives kilns, grinders and entire production lines. It means viewing water as a shared resource that demands careful use and active replenishment. And it means turning waste into opportunity by reusing industrial by-products, reducing dependence on virgin materials and closing the loop between production and conservation. REDEFINING INDUSTRIAL RESPONSIBILITY For decades, cement sustainability used to mean energy efficiency and switching fuels. Today, that approachisnotenough. Theindustryneedsabigger vision - one that links carbon, energy and water in