Introduction

In October 2006 the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP) endorsed the Cement Task Force 'Centre of Excellence (CoE)' project (Project). As one of the three Flagship Projects in the Action Plan of APP-Cement Task Force, CoE-APP actively advocates the need for all participating APP Member country governments and their cement industries to operate at environmental best practice. It also provides scholarships and a skilled worker exchange program to assist companies to implement best practice technologies in areas of energy reduction, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction and in better utilizing alternative fuels and raw materials in cement production. The program further provides for the funding of a teaching appointment specializing in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas issues in relation to cement manufacture and use.

Centre of Excellence (CoE) was inaugurated in 21 January, 2008 in Beijing with support of National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, China Cement Association (CCA), and Asia-Pacific Partnership (APP) membership countries. The Secretariat was located in China Building Materials Academy (CBMA).

Participation

●" Managing parties:
◇Australia (as lead agency)
◇China (as the preferred location for some activities)
◇Japan
●Participants:
◇Relevant ministries, cement companies and cement associations of Partners

This project has two objectives:

1.To drive attitudinal change within participating APP member nation governments, cement industry associations and major cement manufacturers to improve their environmental performance, energy efficiency and increase their use of alternative fuels and raw materials. The project draws on existing best practice and benchmark information relating to the cement industry and other relevant information about the need for action at all levels to address climate change

2. To provide mechanisms enabling participating APP countries and companies to implement environmental performance and energy efficiency improvements and enhance of use of alternative fuels and raw materials for cement production. It also provides mechanisms for research into emerging technologies that have the potential to impact on cement manufacture such as fluidised-bed systems, alternative building materials, low-emission technologies, carbon capture and storage, electrical energy related technologies, and the use of non-carbon fuels.

This objective would be achieved through technology scholarships, Experts Exchanges between companies and the appointment of an academic specializing in these areas to CBMA.

Milestones

	2006	2007	2008	2009
Component 1: Workshop	Reach agreement between participating APP countries and CBMA to progress Component 1.	Establish Advisory Committee for Centre of Excellence within participating APP countries.	2008-09 Placements awarded. Participating countries provide performance report to Cement Task Force.	2009-10 Placements awarded. Participating countries provide performance report to Cement Task Force.
Component 2: Experts Exchanges /Technology Scholarships	Reach agreement between participating APP countries and CBMA to progress Component 2.	Establish Exchange Committee and Assessment Committee within participating APP countries. 2007-08 placements awarded	2008-09 Placements awarded. Participating countries provide performance report to Cement Task Force.	2009-10 Placements awarded. Participating countries provide performance report to Cement Task Force.

Status Report

CMT 06-05	Date of Project Status Report Update
Item III	27 August 2007
Item IV	27 April 2008
Item V	10 July 2008
Item VI	06 December 2008