Skip to content

Concrete and carbon uptake

April 6, 2026 · 11 min

Show notes

How much carbon dioxide concrete can absorb

Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

In this episode, Hessam Azarijafari explains the extent to which concrete can absorb carbon dioxide over its lifecycle.

In this episode, we cover: •[00:00] Introduction. •[00:56] Construction engineer Hessam Azarijafari introduces us to the recipe for concrete. •[01:41] He explains how concrete absorbs carbon dioxide throughout its lifespan, and why this absorption is important. •[02:52] Azarijafari talks about the background of the study. •[03:45] He describes the model built for the study and the data source. •[05:59] Azarijafari tells the study's results, including variation in absorption across sectors and between the US and Mexico. •[07:41] He compares this analysis with previous estimates of concrete carbon absorption. •[08:25] He explains the takeaways from this study for policymakers and the concrete industry. •[09:36] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study. •[10:19] Conclusion.

About Our Guest:

Hessam Azarijafari Research Scientist Massachusetts Institute of Technology

View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2515116122

Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs!

Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast

Follow PNAS: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

All episodes of PNAS Science Sessions

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.