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CBAM Cement: embedded emissions, default values & how to cut your bill (2026)
Cement is unusual among CBAM sectors: most of its emissions are unavoidable process CO₂ from calcining limestone, not fuel. That makes clinker the hotspot, and clinker substitution the main lever.
Process CO₂ vs fuel emissions
Making clinker calcines limestone (CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂), releasing process CO₂ that no fuel switch can avoid. Clinker sits around 0.9 tCO₂e per tonne. Ground cements that blend in substitutes, and clinker replacements like calcined clay (~0.3 tCO₂e/t), sit lower.
What you can and can't reduce
The calcination CO₂ is largely fixed by chemistry, but the fuel share and the clinker-to-cement ratio are not. Lower-carbon kiln fuels and higher substitution reduce the rest. The tour separates the fixed process CO₂ from the reducible fuel emissions so you can see the split.
Default values for cement
Where verified data isn't available, the EU default applies with the 10/20/30% phased mark-up. Verified kiln and mix data supports the lower, defensible figure.
Free cost check using the official EU default values — your number in two minutes.
Run the free estimateCement CBAM — frequently asked
What are the embedded emissions of cement clinker?
Cement clinker is around 0.9 tCO₂e/t, most of it process CO₂ from calcining limestone. Blended ground cements are lower. The cement tour computes each route live.
Can I reduce the CBAM cost of cement?
The calcination CO₂ is largely fixed, but clinker substitution (e.g. calcined clay) and lower-carbon fuels reduce the rest.
Which goods are covered under CBAM cement?
Cement goods under heading 2523 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/956, including clinker and Portland cements.