BWI Report: Concrete Solutions, Advancing a Just Transition in the Supply Chains of Building Materials Including Cement
With cement production accounting for nearly 8 percent of the world’s annual carbon dioxide emissions, BWI asserts that decarbonising the industry is critical to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, which is limiting global temperature rise to well below 2∞C by 2100. However, BWI asserts that sustainability need not come at the expense of the rights and livelihoods of millions of workers in the cement supply chain. On the contrary, genuine sustainability includes bolstering the resilience of workers and their communities. The report highlights the need for strong social protections, retraining programmes, and stronger trade union mobilisation as industry giants pursue green transitions.
The report shows that multinational corporations have been creating increasingly precarious employment conditions, owing to significant divestments, acquisitions, and investments without prior consultation with workers’ representatives. According to BWI, these corporations often transfer their carbon-intensive operations to countries with less stringent labour and environmental regulations, thus avoiding accountability. BWI documents how, in recent years, major corporations have reshuffled production and ownership structures to cut costs and adopt automated technologies without consulting labour representatives, resulting in reduced rights and a lack of just transition plans.
Pierre Cuppens, General Secretary of CSC ACV BIE and Chair of the BWI Global Cement Network, emphasised that while decarbonisation is essential, it must not come at the cost of workers’ rights and livelihoods. "Decarbonising the cement industry is non-negotiable, but it must be done in a way that respects workers’ rights and provides clear pathways for their inclusion in a green economy," Cuppens said. In this regard, the report promotes a roadmap to achieving this goal, urging policymakers globally to implement circular economy principles and support public investment in renewable energy systems.
To ensure workers remain central to the transition, BWI advocates for robust social dialogue and collaboration between trade unions and industry leaders. The report also recommends expanding access to upskilling programmes, particularly in emerging markets where manual labour often supersedes automated processes. By involving trade unions in decarbonisation planning, companies can benefit from valuable input on worker-centric policies and ensure employees are well-prepared for evolving roles in a low-carbon economy. Additionally, BWI calls for fair, enforceable agreements that secure adequate wages, comprehensive occupational safety measures, and worker participation in decision-making, positioning workers not merely as recipients but as active participants in a green and sustainable industry.
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