Making Roman concrete produces as much CO2 as modern concrete

New research indicates that the production of Roman concrete generated carbon dioxide emissions comparable to, and potentially exceeding, those of modern concrete manufacturing. While Roman concrete production released similar amounts of CO2, it did so with fewer harmful air pollutants compared to contemporary methods. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that ancient concrete was a significantly more environmentally friendly material.

This research is important because it re-evaluates the environmental impact of historical construction practices and provides a more accurate comparison to modern industrial processes.