There is an increasing global recognition of the need for environmental sustainability in mitigating the adverse impacts of cement production. Despite the implementation of various carbon dioxide (CO₂) mitigation strategies in the cement industry, such as waste heat recovery, the use of alternative raw materials and alternative fuels, energy efficiency improvements, and carbon capture and storage, overall emissions have still increased due to the higher production levels. The resolution of this matter can be efficiently achieved by the substitution of traditional materials with an alternative material, such as calcined clay (CC), construction and demolition waste (CDW), which have a significant impact on various areas of sustainable development, including environmental, economic, and social considerations. The primary objectives of employing CDW in the Portland cement production are twofold: firstly, to mitigate the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere, as it is a significant contributor to environmental pollution and climate change; and secondly, to optimize the utilization of waste materials, thereby addressing the challenges associated with their disposal. The purpose of this work is to present a thorough examination of the existing body of literature pertaining to the partial replacement of traditional raw materials by CDW and the partial replacement of Portland cement by CDW and to analyze the resulting impact on CO₂ emissions.

In a society with a high growth rate and increased standards of comfort arises the need to minimise the currently high-energy consumption by taking advantage of renewable energy sources. The mortars with incorporation of phase-change materials (PCM) have the ability to regulate the temperature inside buildings, contributing to the thermal comfort and reduction in the use of heating and cooling equipment, using only the energy supplied by the sun. However, the incorporation of phase-change materials in mortars modifies its characteristics. The main purpose of this study was the production and characterisation in the fresh and hardened state of mortars with incorporation of different contents of PCM in mortars based in different binders. The binders studied were aerial lime, hydraulic lime, gypsum and cement. For each type of binder, different mortars were developed with different content of PCM. The proportion of PCM studied was 0, 20, 40 and 60% of the mass of the sand. It was possible to observe that the incorporation of PCM in mortars caused differences in properties such as workability, microstructure, compressive strength, flexural strength and adhesion.