Journal of Excellence in Wellness and Environmental Studies

Published date: Oct 20 2025

Journal Title: Journal of Excellence in Wellness and Environmental Studies

Issue title: Journal of Excellence in Wellness and Environmental Studies: Volume 1, Issue 1

Pages: 46 - 65

DOI: 10.18502/jewes.v1i1.18838

Abdulla Hasan Abdulla Alshehhithe-manager321@live.comSchool of Sustainability and Green Economy, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai

Mohammad AljaradinM.AlJaradin@hbmsu.ac.aeSchool of Sustainability and Green Economy, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of decarbonization strategies for the cement industry, with a particular focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The cement sector contributes approximately 6-7% of global CO₂ emissions, with 60% originating from limestone decomposition during clinker production and 40% from fossil fuel combustion. Using the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) tool, we evaluated six renewable energy pathways. Three renewable natural gas (RNG) sources (landfill gas, Canadian natural gas, and North American natural gas for Fischer-Tropsch plants) and three renewable electricity mixes (Alberta, alumina reduction, and wind). Ridge regression modeling was employed to analyze emission trends in the UAE cement industry from 2018 to 2022. Our findings reveal that wind electricity pathways can reduce emissions by approximately 75% per ton of cement, while RNG pathways offer significant reductions where electricity infrastructure is limited. Integration of carbon capture technologies with renewable energy sources could further reduce the carbon footprint. These insights provide actionable guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders to implement effective decarbonization strategies aligned with the UAE’s sustainability goals.

Keywords: cement industry, decarbonization, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, life cycle assessment, UAE, GREET tool

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