• The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil (MMA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) announced on 11 November a new project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support the cement industry in developing and adopting new sustainable production technologies, enhancing the sector's competitiveness by reducing CO2 and mercury emissions.
• The project's objective is to promote innovative technological solutions capable of mitigating the emission of 3 million tonnes of CO₂ and 7.8 tonnes of mercury from cement production by 2030.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) of Brazil and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched the preparatory phase of the “GEF Project - Control and Reduction of Mercury Emissions from the Cement Industry in Brazil” during a hybrid workshop on 11 November in Brasilia, Brazil.
 
This new initiative is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and aims to strengthen the Brazilian government's capacity to monitor and control mercury emissions from cement production.

The main goal of the project is to support new production processes and technological solutions capable of mitigating the emission of 3 million tonnes of CO₂ and 7.8 tonnes of mercury in the cement sector by 2030, the expected end date of the project.
 
The project team will work together with the industrial sector and academia, supporting Brazil’s commitments to the Minamata Convention – an international environmental agreement ratified by Brazil in 2017 – and to national decarbonisation goals.

The project's main activities will be:

• Regulatory review.
• Development of a mercury emissions monitoring and control system.
• Guidelines for best practices and technologies with greater environmental sustainability.
• Solutions for CO2 emissions mitigation that ensure mercury is not introduced into the composition of alternative fuels.
• Promotion of concrete and cement recycling.
   

Launch workshop

The event brought together at MMA’s building in Brasilia representatives from partner institutions, researchers, industry experts, and sector leaders to present and discuss the goals and challenges of the new project, which is now being designed.

 
UNIDO experts also presented the activities planned for the next six months, period during which the project document will be formulated, with implementation scheduled to begin in 2025.

In his welcome speech, MMA’s National Secretary for Urban Environment and Environmental Quality, Adalberto Maluf, emphasized the project's importance for sustainability within the cement industry:

"This project is a significant step in strengthening monitoring capacity for Brazil's cement industry, enabling the analysis and application of global best environmental practices.”

UNIDO’s Chief of the Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry, Smail Alhilali, highlighted Brazil's commitment to sustainable industrial practices:

"Brazil is a very important member state of UNIDO, and we have here an opportunity to implement a project that supports inclusive and sustainable industrial development while aligning with Brazil's decarbonisation and detoxification efforts.”

UNIDO’s Country Representative in Brazil, Clovis Zapata, underscored Brazil’s efforts in international cooperation to catalyse national industrial decarbonisation:

"The Minamata Convention is a major international effort, and we are committed to helping Brazil achieve its national goals. This project is an opportunity for the industry to explore new sustainable technologies, whether through pilot plants or specific systems, strengthening the sector's already internationally recognized leadership reputation.”

About the Project

The “GEF Project - Control and Reduction of Mercury Emissions from the Cement Industry in Brazil” aims to engage the federal government, the private sector, international institutions, universities, and civil society to implement best environmental practices and existing technologies for sustainable cement production in Brazil. The initiative includes promoting alternative fuels and cement recycling, considering the unique needs of the national cement manufacturing sector.
 
In her presentation at the launch workshop, the project's National Coordinator for UNIDO, Renata Marques, explained the current phase:

"We are in the preparatory phase of this project, focused on expanding institutional capacity to demonstrate how advanced technologies and sustainable practices can help reduce mercury emissions, benefiting both the environment and impacted communities."

UNIDO's Industrial Development Officer Vladimir Anastasov highlighted GEF’s role in the project:

"The partnership with GEF offers a possibility to strengthen national initiatives and increase the environmental credentials of the country, supporting Brazil’s commitment to emission reductions. It encourages an integrated approach to developing new standards and technical practices tailored to the Brazilian scenario.”

For more details, visit the project page on the GEF website: https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/11574 .