The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently strengthened its requirements to use sustainable concrete mixes in future construction, part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The requirements establish maximum allowable carbon limits and permit the conditional inclusion of ground glass and Portland-limestone cement in concrete mixtures.
“This is a true win-win, achieving better environmental outcomes while maintaining our high standards for concrete performance and safety,” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. “The update of our concrete technical requirements is a major milestone as the agency continues its aggressive efforts to drive down the embodied carbon of concrete and other major building materials.”
Cement production is responsible for 7 percent to 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The port authority used research its academic partners conducted to establish the specifications. Academic research partners included the New Jersey Institute of Technology, New York University, Princeton University, and Rutgers University.
The port authority introduced its low-carbon concrete program in September 2020 to reduce the embodied carbon of concrete mixes approved for contractors to use in agency projects.
In addition, the port authority will soon launch the final phase of a pilot program to advance research into sustainable concrete.