In a significant move to accelerate industrial decarbonization, Holcim UAE has officially become a member of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonization (AFID), an initiative spearheaded by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The membership was formalized during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January 2026, marking a strategic evolution in the company’s sustainability journey from operational improvements to sector-wide leadership.
The AFID coalition brings together governments, international organizations, and leading industrial players to implement transformative technologies and practices across hard-to-abate sectors. Holcim’s participation enables the company to contribute its substantial expertise in sustainable building materials and solutions to policy dialogues that will shape the future of industrial activity in the UAE and beyond.
According to Ali Said, CEO of Holcim UAE and Oman, “Industry decarbonization requires practical action at scale, supported by the right policy direction. Joining AFID allows Holcim to engage at that intersection, bringing perspective shaped by practical experience to conversations that matter for the UAE’s low-carbon future.”
The alliance focuses on multiple priority areas including renewable energy adoption, carbon capture utilization and storage, circular economy principles, green hydrogen development, human capital development, and climate-aligned finance. These initiatives align closely with Holcim’s long-term sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental considerations throughout its operations, investment decisions, and value chain partnerships.
This collaboration represents a concerted effort to bridge the gap between industrial implementation and policy development, ensuring that regulatory frameworks and investment signals are informed by real-world industrial experience and practical decarbonization challenges.