Holcim Ltd - CO<sub>2</sub> performance

Despite a 100% increase in our global cement production between 1990 and 2008, our increase in absolute net CO₂ emissions was only 65%, due to improvements in energy and process efficiency, the growing amount of waste-derived fuel used in kilns and increased use of mineral components. Group absolute net CO₂ emissions decreased 1.4% from 2007 (97.3 MT) to 2008 (95.9 MT) due to decreased clinker production.

Holcim’s absolute net CO₂ emissions in the Kyoto Annex I countries decreased by 12.1% from 1990 to 2008 and CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement by 17.3%, despite 6.4% increased cement production.

Absolute emissions^*

_{*Due to ownership changes in 2008, the figures for previous years have been restated.

The need for significant on-site power generation at our Indian plants, caused by inadequate electricity infrastructure, had a significant impact on our global emissions in 2008. Our plants in India are actively investigating the possibilities for using climate neutral biomass fuels in power generation.}

PwC provided independent assurance of our CO₂ data for the 2006 and 2007 reporting periods.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers statement

Specific emissions^*
Holcim has reduced its specific net CO₂ emissions by 20.1% from 1990 to 2008, excluding CO₂ emissions from on-site power generation. Including CO₂ emissions from on-site power generation, the reduction rate stands at 17.3%.

^{*Due to ownership changes in 2008, figures for previous years have been restated.}

Clinker factor*
Substituting clinker in cement with mineral components, such as slag or fly ash, reduces both the fuel and raw materials required per tonne of cement produced.

Lowering the clinker factor through the use of such mineral components, is one of the best technically proven approaches for reducing CO₂ emissions in cement production, and this approach remains part of our CO₂reduction strategy. With an average of 71.5% of clinker in cement in 2008, Holcim's clinker content is amongst the lowest in the industry.

See "Sustainable products and service solutions"

^{*Due to ownership changes in 2008, figures for previous years have been restated.
In 2008 we consumed 187 million tonnes of natural raw materials (2007: 188) and 27.6 million tonnes of alternative raw materials (2007: 27.3) to produce 152.0 million tonnes of cement (2007: 152.4).}

Aggregates, ready-mix and asphalt
The impact of aggregates and other construction material on climate change is relatively small and is mainly associated with fuel and power consumption.

Aggregates, ready-mix and asphalt
	Aggregates			Ready-mix			Asphalt
	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008
Absolute gross CO₂ emissions ('000 tonnes)	261	262	237	62	100	93	267	219	163
Specific gross CO₂ emissions^* (kg CO₂/tonne of product)	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5	2.4	2.1	21.1	19.2	13.6
*Specific emissions for ready-mix = kg/CO₂/m³ of concrete

^{CO₂ emissions from our aggregates, ready-mix and asphalt businesses are calculated from on-site fuel consumption according to the GHG Protocol tools for stationary and mobile combustion.}