Download CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION STRATEGY

Climate Change Mitigation Strategy A Position Paper on TITAN Group
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THE ISSUE
Over the last century carbon dioxide emissions have risen, in large part
due to the usage of fossil fuels, but also due to other factors that are
related to rising populations, increasing consumption, and land-use
change.
Although there is still debate as to the magnitude, there is solid evidence
that our world is warming. The majority of the Scientific Community led by
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the
International Energy Agency (IEA) has now linked these two phenomena
in a likely cause-effect relationship. Projections show that if the present
trend continues, global temperatures could rise by two to four degrees by
the end of 21st century leading to very damaging impacts.
International awareness of this global threat has led to the adoption of the
Kyoto Protocol (Protocol to the International Framework Convention on
Climate Change) with the objective of reducing greenhouse gases.
Developed countries, signatories to the convention, have undertaken
specific reduction targets, whereas developing countries have no
obligation beyond monitoring and reporting emissions. Support of the
Kyoto Protocol among developed countries ranges from full endorsement
(E.U.) to non ratification (U.S.).
Titan that operates in both above regions as well as in developing
countries is faced with different operational and legal challenges.
The purpose of the present position paper on CLIMATE CHANGE
MITIGATION STRATEGY is to provide useful guidelines to our operating
units to meet reduction obligations, where regulation is enforced and
equally important to assume voluntary actions on climate change in
regions that are not yet subject to such regulatory policies.
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THE CHALLENGE
The power generating and manufacturing sectors are expected to meet
increased demand due to continuing global economic growth. These
developments need to be offset with significant improvements in energy
efficiency and a shift to lower carbon options.
The cement industry in particular plays a major role in meeting society's
needs for housing and infrastructure that are expected to increase
considerably in the developing world. The challenge we face is to develop
processes and practices that will curb the intensity of CO2 emissions per
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ton of cement produced in order to strike a balance between climate
change risk and global growth.
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MITIGATING ACTIONS Titan and Climate Change
Titan is committed to taking mitigating actions to face the challenge of
climate change , has set targets for Co2 emissions reductions and has
identified a set of actions that will reduce our ecological footprint and
address sustainability issues,
Titan is a member of the World Business Council of Sustainable
Development and an active member of the Cement Sustainability
Initiative, an initiative of major cement manufactures committed to
addressing sustainability issues of the cement industry
Our Mitigating action will be focused on the following areas :
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Efficient use of thermal and electrical energy
Use of Alternative Fuels and Materials
Cement Production with lower Clinker Content
Efficient use of thermal and electrical energy
Thermal Energy Savings
Clinker formation is highly demanding in thermal energy. Although that
part of the energy associated with the chemical process that takes place in
the rotary kiln cannot be reduced, significant opportunities to reduce heat
transfer losses and energy requirements will be pursued through:
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Selecting dry-processing method if possible with available raw
materials
Installing efficient multi-stage preheaters, precalciners and clinker
coolers
Substitution of fossil fuels with alternative fuels, biomass and where
possible with carbon neutral fuels
Electrical Energy Savings
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Use of electrical energy efficient vertical mills for the grinding
process
Use of mechanical as opposed to pneumatic conveying equipment
Savings that will result from plant improvement and upgradings by
using state of the art technology in energy management
These principles will be applied, to all new projects and taken into account
in potential acquisitions
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Use of Alternative Fuels and Materials
High temperatures in the cement rotary kiln enable waste management
and resource preservation with the least negative impact and can lead to
the utilization of waste , both industrial and municipal as fuel.
Titan will seek to maximize the use of alternative fuels, wherever
available, strictly following the Emissions Monitoring, Health and Safety
Guidelines issued by the CSI
Incentives and disincentives of use of alternative fuels must be evaluated
and communicated to local stakeholders
Priority should be given to the use of carbon neutral biomass.
Cement Production with Lower Clinker Contents
The use of fly ash, slag and other available cementitious materials results
in lower CO2 emissions per ton of cement. The options available through
the implementation of cement standards for composite cement in certain
regions must be fully utilized (i.e. European Norm). In the USA similar
opportunities exist for developing cementitious products that can be
added directly to concrete achieving the same end result.
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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Cement manufacturing is a mature industry applying the same chemical
process for more than a hundred years thus rendering a revolutionary
breakthrough rather unlikely.
However the sheer volumes of material and energy involved in the
production of cement give rise to opportunities for efficiency improvement
through continuous research for innovative practices and products.
Medium term objectives for our Research Centers on both sides of the
Atlantic should lead to
ƒ Further use of waste and refuse-derived fuels and raw materials
assessing their impact on the environment as well as Public and
Employee Health and Safety.
ƒ Maximizing the cementitious materials in blended cement or concrete
ƒ Product differentiation to cover market needs in cement and/or
concrete with reduced CO2 emissions.
ƒ Concrete durability through studies and life cycle assessments that will
meet requirements of architects, engineers and the society in general
Partnerships and cooperation with Technical Universities and Research
institutes should be encouraged to identify long-term research areas such
as low-calcium cement, carbon storage and sequestration.
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PROGRESS MONITORING
CO2 emissions and relevant Climate Change Indicators will be monitored
at each plant level. (see CSI KPI’s list)
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Improvement targets will be set in alignment with targets set at Group
level.
Data collection will follow the CSI CO2 Protocol in a way that will render
third party verification possible.
Gaps between actual performance and target or allowances must be
identified well in advance to allow early actions.
Opportunities offered by Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) should be investigated where applicable.
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STAKEHOLDER AND POLICY MAKER’S DIALOGUES
Implementation of the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy
and Sustainable Development
Agenda will present challenges to industry Regulators and Stakeholders.
The importance of dialogue and communication cannot be
overemphasized.
Public attitudes towards corporate behavior are changing. Businesses are
increasingly held accountable for their policies and practices in respect to
the environment and sustainable development. Disclosure and
transparency are the building blocks for trust.
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