Back to Blog

Market Brief · May 14, 2026 · 7 min read

Cement and Concrete EACs: Scope 3 Action for the Built Environment

Cement and concrete are essential to construction and infrastructure, but buyers often lack direct control over the production pathways behind them.

Why cement and concrete are Scope 3 priorities

Cement and concrete are embedded in buildings, data centers, infrastructure, logistics networks, and real estate portfolios. For companies with major construction activity, these materials can be meaningful Scope 3 drivers.

At the same time, cement and concrete are hard to decarbonize, and procurement pathways can be complex.

Where cement and concrete EACs can fit

Buyer situationPotential EAC role
Data center constructionSupport verified lower-carbon cement or concrete production tied to construction-related Scope 3 priorities.
Real estate portfolioCreate a mechanism for supporting lower-carbon materials beyond project-by-project procurement.
Corporate capital projectsComplement procurement specifications with certificate-based support.

How cement and concrete EACs work

A producer generates eligible lower-carbon cement, concrete, or related material. The environmental attribute is documented and certificates are issued through a controlled system of record.

A buyer can then acquire and retire those certificates, creating a documented record of support for lower-carbon production in a relevant commodity market.

How S3 Markets supports the built environment

S3 Markets provides certificate infrastructure for issuance, transfer, retirement, and documentation in cement and concrete markets.

This helps buyers support industrial decarbonization while giving producers a mechanism to monetize eligible lower-carbon output.

Related posts

Corporate Net Zero Has a Scope 3 Problem

The dominant corporate net zero model asks companies to control emissions across supply chains that are too complex, dynamic, and distant from their operations.

Read Article

The Scope 3 Shortcut: Follow the Commodities

Instead of chasing every supplier relationship, companies can focus on the high-emitting commodities that drive a large share of industrial emissions.

Read Article

SBTi v2 and Commodity EACs: What Scope 3 Buyers Should Understand

SBTi v2 has elevated the conversation around market-based tools for Scope 3, but buyers still need careful documentation and responsible claims.

Read Article