New book reveals how concrete’s climate footprint can be reduced

University of Gävle’s senior researcher leads international work on sustainable concrete innovations.

Concrete is responsible for around eight percent of global carbon dioxide emissions — but its environmental burden can be cut dramatically. In a new book, Alireza Bahrami, Associate Professor and Head of the Building Engineering Subject at the University of Gävle, presents cutting-edge methods for making concrete more climate-friendly through smart design and new technologies.

“Concrete is one of our most essential building materials, but also one of the most environmentally damaging. We need to use it more intelligently,” says Dr. Bahrami.

Smarter structures, lower emissions

The book, Advances in Sustainable Concrete for Construction External link., brings together researchers from several countries to explore the latest advances in sustainable concrete technology. It shows, among other findings, how the use of different types of engineered cementitious and recycled materials can replace part of the cement and aggregate content in concrete production, which can make resource use more efficient. It also highlights how smarter designs and new technologies can reduce the use of concrete without compromising durability.

“By optimizing structural design, especially in reinforced concrete, we can reduce material use while maintaining the same standards of safety and stability. It is a cost-efficient solution with improved environmental performance,” Dr. Bahrami explains.

A major global emitter

Most of the carbon dioxide emissions from concrete production arise from cement manufacturing. In Sweden, cement production alone contributes about four percent of the country’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions.

“There is significant potential to reduce concrete’s climate footprint, but it requires engineers and architects to think differently. Safety and strength will always come first, but we need more comprehensive and harmonized standards and guidelines for sustainable concrete. Without them, many in the industry are hesitant to adopt new solutions at scale,” says Dr. Bahrami.

The book demonstrates that non-destructive testing and predictive models can help assess the long-term performance of concrete, enabling smarter decisions about durability and sustainability. It also highlights internal curing techniques, which improve concrete’s strength and lifespan.

International collaboration for sustainable construction

The book comprises nine chapters, resulting from international collaboration between Dr. Bahrami and researchers from Sweden, the USA, Canada, the UK, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Together, they aim to inspire new approaches to construction and promote sustainable infrastructure worldwide.

“This book is the result of research and collaboration across continents. I am hopeful that the construction industry will increasingly prioritize sustainability,” says Dr. Bahrami.