New Ramboll study shows potential for more ambitious EU low-carbon concrete targets

New Ramboll study shows potential for more ambitious EU low-carbon concrete targets

A new study from Ramboll Management Consulting suggests the EU could adopt a significantly higher target for low-carbon concrete purchased for public construction projects than the 5% currently proposed by the European Commission. This could help accelerate the decarbonisation of one of Europe's most carbon-intensive industries.

Conducted for the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), the study indicates that the EU could go substantially beyond the 5% low-carbon concrete and mortar quota proposed under the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), introduced by the European Commission in March 2026. The 5% figure was largely based on the pipeline of cement plants equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, CCS is only one of several available routes to lower-carbon concrete. When other proven technologies are included, Ramboll’s analysis shows the EU market could support a share of between 32% and 79% in public procurement, depending on the low-carbon definition adopted. Current and planned production capacity across Europe indicates that substantially greater volumes of low-carbon concrete could be available by the end of the decade.

The findings come at a critical moment as EU policymakers consider measures under the proposed IAA to drive demand for lower-carbon construction materials. According to the study, a more ambitious quota could remain achievable while providing a meaningful market signal to support investment and innovation across the construction value chain.

A stronger evidence base for EU ambition

"Our role was to provide evidence on what is both ambitious and realistic," said Evert Witteveen, Consultant, Ramboll Management Consulting, who led the study. "The analysis suggests there is potential to go beyond the current proposal, further accelerating the scale-up of low-carbon construction materials across Europe."

The policy brief is being shared with EU decisionmakers as discussions on future low-carbon construction policies continue. For Ramboll, the work reflects the company's commitment to supporting industrial decarbonisation through evidence-based analysis and practical policy recommendations.

“The transition to low-carbon construction materials will require both ambition and practical evidence on what the market can deliver. Our analysis helps policymakers understand where higher targets may be feasible and how public procurement can support the scale-up of low-carbon concrete across Europe,” said Xavier Le Den, Director, Ramboll Management Consulting.

The study also builds on Ramboll's broader work to accelerate decarbonisation across the built environment. As policymakers and industry seek to scale low-carbon construction materials, robust evidence will be essential to determine which targets are both ambitious and achievable.

Read the report: Setting a vision for a meaningful low-carbon concrete quota