SBTi has launched the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0, its most comprehensive framework yet for corporate climate action. The Standard becomes available for target setting in February 2027.
For hard-to-abate, capital-intensive sectors like cement, V2.0 introduces significant optionality for target setting. Rather than the Sectoral Decarbonization Approach (SDA) remaining the sector’s effective default route, the new Standard sets out:
– Sector-specific emissions-intensity pathways
– An Asset Decarbonization Plan method, reflecting how capital-intensive assets actually retire, retrofit, and replace across investment cycles.
– Clearer criteria for market instruments and sector-level actions, for use where activity-level abatement is constrained.
Join Maria del Mar Rojas, Europe Engagement Manager for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), for her presentation, “Operationalizing the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 for Cement: A Call to Action for the Sector.”
This session will:
– Introduce CNZ V2.0’s relevance for the cement sector
– Outline the key changes and what they mean for target-setters
– Set out how the industry can engage in the upcoming Call for Evidence and technical workshop process
A Call to Action: Shaping the Future of Cement Guidance
Ensuring future cement guidance under V2.0 is genuinely actionable requires close collaboration with industry. Starting this November, SBTi will launch a structured engagement process:
Open Call for Evidence — inviting cement producers, technical experts, and value-chain stakeholders to surface the operational realities, data constraints, and decarbonization levers unique to the sector
A series of technical workshops — to co-develop the requirements for updated cement guidance
The goal: guidance that is scientifically robust and reflects how cement plants, kilns, and capital stock actually transition — built with the sector, not just for it.
Don’t forget to nominate your projects for the CarbonZero Awards, deadline September 10!
Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape the future of cement decarbonization guidance and hear directly from SBTi on what V2.0 means for your sector.
About the Speaker
Maria del Mar Rojas is the Europe Engagement Manager for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), where she drives efforts to support European companies and sector initiatives in setting climate targets aligned with a 1.5°C pathway.
Maria’s career spans international NGOs and the private sector. Before joining SBTi, she was the Global Impact Manager at Compass at Google, integrating sustainability and well-being interventions across global operations. She has also worked at the World Resources Institute, advancing sustainable food systems and land-use policies, and at The Climate Group, spearheading a campaign to improve energy productivity across industries. Maria holds an MSc in Sustainable Development and is passionate about aligning climate targets with a resilient, inclusive economy.
The CarbonZero 2026 Awards (awarded on October 28, Tangla Brussels Hotel) Award Categories
At the request of many companies that had their vacation time in August, we have extended the deadline for submission for Industrial Decarbonization Project of the Year is September 10, same as the Leadership Award nominations, so make sure you send yours in now, at Mariana.gheorghe@industrylink.eu.
1. CarbonZero Industrial Decarbonization Project of the Year Deadline: September 10
This category honors a specific, large-scale initiative that has demonstrated measurable impact. Whether it is a landmark carbon capture pilot, a successful transition to 100% alternative fuels, or a revolutionary circular economy partnership, this award recognizes technical ingenuity and operational success.
2. CarbonZero Decarbonization Leadership Award Deadline September 10
Decarbonization requires more than technology; it requires courage. This award is dedicated to an individual or organizational leader who has championed sustainability at a systemic level. We are looking for the influencers who have steered their companies—and the industry—toward a lower-carbon future through policy, investment, and advocacy.
Submit Your Nomination
Are you leading the charge toward a sustainable built environment? Or do you know a partner whose work deserves global recognition?
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Want to know more about decarbonization, sustainable industry trends, and the breakthroughs driving real change? Explore the complete lineup of Industry Link’s 2026 events below:
Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress – Europe
28–29 October, Brussels, Belgium
A leading EMEA gathering on cementitious materials, market trends, regulatory updates, and regional opportunities.
CarbonZero Alternative Fuels & Raw Materials Global Conference & Exhibition 2026
Including Cementitious Europe – Congress
28–29 October, Brussels, Belgium
Global platform for Net Zero strategies, alternative fuels, raw materials, carbon capture, and emerging technologies.
Speakers include:
- Claudia Albertini, CEO Holcim Belgium
- Mahendra Singhi, Board Member & Strategic Advisor, Dalmia Bharat India, Board Member, GCCA
- Adriana Fernandez, UNIDO
- Nikos Nikolakakos, Environment & Resources Manager, Cement Europe
- Irene Dominguez, Policy Manager, Embodied Carbon & Lead Markets, Bellona Europe
- Maria del Mar Rojas, Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI)
- Dr Martina Bassan, Corporate Affairs Director, European Metals
- Eadbhard Pernot, Executive Director,Carbon Management Europe
- Kerry Sutton, American Concrete Institute
- Hervé Camerlynck, Managing Director, FEBELCEM
- Jacob Moos, Associate Partner, McKinsey
- Pilar Hidalgo, Innovation Director, Cementos La Cruz
- Anna-Marise Rocha, Commercial Manager, Port of Amsterdam
- Frank Mruk, National Ready Mix Cement Association USA
- Luyue Tan, Senior Research Specialist, Carbon, London Stock Exchange Group
- Grant QUASHA, Chairman and CEO, Eco Material Technologies, A CRH Company, USA
- Dr. Stefan Puntke, Managing Director and Dr. Hans-Jürgen Klischat, Executive for Strategic Projects, Refratechnik
- Hongyan Ma, Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA
- Marta Diez, Country Manager Spain, Portugal, Italy, CFP Energy
- Dr. Josilene TV Ferrer, Senior Analyst for International Cooperation and Climate Change, Green Planet Institute Brazil
- Andres Ponce, CEO, WTEnergy Advanced Solutions
- Mohammed Fouad, Business Excellence Director, Riyadh Cement Company Saudi Arabia
- Mohammed Zaki, Head of Alternative Fuels & H2 Operations Management, Arabian Cement Company Egypt
- Pilar Hidalgo, Head of Innovation, Cementos Las Cruz, Spain
- Tien Peng, Cofounder, GreenPlum St., Portugal
- Georg Lochner, Strategic company development “New Technologies”, Schwenk Building Materials Group, Germany
- Duncan McLachlan, VP Growth & Enterprise, io Consulting
- Alexander Makhlay, Associate Editor, Argus Media
- Cobi Busst, Principal, Beaumont Bailey
- Firefly
Women in Cement and Construction International Congress 2026 – EMEA
30 October, Brussels, Belgium
A dedicated forum advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the cement and construction sectors.
Sustainability Conference and Exhibition to include Industry 5.0 – Smart Solutions for Cement and Construction Conference and Exhibition 2026 in São Paulo (World Trade Center)- will convene leading voices from across the global construction, engineering, and infrastructure sectors to address the urgent challenges of decarbonization, embodied carbon reduction, and climate resilience. As the sector undergoes a massive digital shift, this event also focuses on the technologies defining the next generation of building: AI-driven operations, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and human-centric industrial transformation.
Speakers include:
Álvaro Lorenz – Global Director of Sustainability, Votorantim Cimentos
Vanessa Castro, Sustainability, Cementos Argos
Luciana Arouca – Head of Sustainability Services Brazil & LATAM, JLLAna Lúcia Grizzi – Senior Independent Consultant; Coordinator of the Sustainability and Innovation Committee, Votorantim Cimentos
Josilene T. V. Ferrer – Senior Analyst of International Cooperation and Climate Change, CETESB – Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo
Carla Leal – CDP Market Director for LATAM | Board Members
Patrícia Iglecias – Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of São Paulo
Juan Padial – Managing Partner, Digital Supply Chain, KPMG
Felipe Salgado – Managing Partner of Decarbonization, KPMG
Rejane Afonso – Technical and Commercial Director, Monitore
Edilson Júnior – Manager of Innovation and Industrial Technology, Cimento Nacional
Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress – MEA
8–9 December, Morocco
The premier MEA event for cementitious materials, innovation, and regional trade opportunities.
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