Holcim has officially joined the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID) under the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), reinforcing its commitment to accelerating industrial decarbonization and sustainable construction in the UAE and across the wider region.
The membership was formalized during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, marking a significant step in Holcim UAE’s transition from operational decarbonization to sector-wide leadership. Through AFID, Holcim will collaborate with governments, policymakers, and industry leaders to help shape low-carbon industrial strategies, regulatory frameworks, and investment pathways.
Driving Policy-Aligned Industrial Decarbonization
AFID is a government-led global alliance that brings together public institutions, international organizations, and leading industrial players to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, construction, energy, and manufacturing.
By joining the alliance, Holcim brings its real-world industrial expertise, operational leadership, and sustainable building materials know-how into critical policy and industry discussions aimed at reducing emissions at scale.
“Industry decarbonization requires practical action supported by the right policy direction. Joining AFID enables Holcim to contribute proven, on-the-ground experience to conversations that will define the UAE’s low-carbon and net-zero future,” said Ali Said, CEO of Holcim UAE and Oman.
Focus on Key Decarbonization Pathways
AFID’s work spans several priority areas, including renewable energy adoption, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), circular economy practices, green hydrogen, climate-aligned finance, and human capital development. These focus areas closely align with Holcim’s long-term sustainability strategy, where decarbonization underpins operational decisions, capital investment, and value-chain partnerships.
Holcim’s participation in AFID reinforces its role as a strategic partner in the UAE’s sustainability journey, supporting national climate objectives and the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient construction. The company aims to contribute to collaborative frameworks that enable scalable solutions for reducing industrial emissions while maintaining economic competitiveness.
Through this alliance, Holcim continues to position itself at the forefront of sustainable construction, green cement, and climate-smart infrastructure, helping define the future of industrial activity in the UAE and the broader Middle East.
