article · Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Cement manufacturing remains a substantial contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, creating an urgent need for effective decarbonisation strategies. Systems dynamics simulation models offer decision-support tools by forecasting emissions and assessing complex, nonlinear policy scenarios over time. A review of existing literature demonstrates that systems dynamics has been widely used to compare technical interventions, including energy efficiency upgrades, waste heat recovery, carbon capture and storage, and alternative raw materials such as low-carbon cementitious substitutes. However, current modelling efforts consistently favour technical pathways while overlooking critical non-technical constraints. Many published models fail to incorporate stakeholder engagement, implementation barriers, or targeted policy mechanisms. Furthermore, innovative decarbonisation technologies depend heavily on research funding and industry motivation, highlighting the need for future research into real-world feasibility and economic costs.
Cement is an essential construction material, but its production drives severe climate impacts worldwide. Using computer simulations helps industrial managers and policymakers test emissions-reduction strategies virtually before making costly investments. Highlighting the gaps in current models ensures that future industrial planning accounts for economic costs, operational obstacles, and policy needs, rather than relying solely on theoretical technology potential.
The insights apply to cement plant operators, industrial decarbonisation consultants, and environmental policymakers seeking to model and compare carbon reduction strategies. The underlying systems dynamics tools represent early-stage decision-support frameworks. Real-world application of the reviewed technologies, such as waste heat recovery and alternative materials, remains constrained by economic barriers, requiring further validation of financial viability, stakeholder alignment, and policy support before widespread commercial adoption.
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Abstract Cement production contributes significantly to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), a major contributor to global carbon emissions. The environmental impacts of cement production have grown in recent years and it is urgent to reduce its carbon footprint. Systems dynamics (SD) is a simulation method used to understand the nonlinear behavior of complex systems over time. It is commonly used in various sectors to predict emissions and conduct policy experiments. Due to the poor implementation of carbon mitigation strategies within the cement industry, enhancing policymaking by employing more advanced decision-support tools is necessary. This paper reviews previous studies that use the SD approach to assess and compare different mitigation strategies proposed and implemented to reduce carbon emissions in the cement industry. These strategies encompass technological advancements and process improvements, including using alternative fuels and raw materials (adopting low-carbon cementitious materials), energy efficiency improvements, carbon capture and storage and waste heat recovery. The review examines the papers' scope, model descriptions, validation method and mitigation methods highlighted in each study, providing valuable insights for decision makers in the cement industry. Furthermore, the paper discusses the limitations and gaps related to SD modeling, highlighting important factors such as stakeholder engagement in designing effective carbon mitigation strategies. The reviewed studies constantly emphasized technical strategies for mitigating carbon emissions from the cement industry, as stated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) classification. Innovative and emerging technologies, such as WHR, depends on adequate funding, motivation and research and development. However, they frequently neglected to address the barriers hindering their implementation or provide detailed policy measures to overcome them using SD. Additional research is required to assess the practicality and costs of implementing these strategies. Graphical abstract Navigating the way to sustainability in the cement industry: Exploring mitigation strategies through systems dynamics model
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DOI: 10.1007/s10098-023-02683-0
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