Environment and Energy

SteelZero Hopes to Speed Up Global Transition to Net Zero Steel

Written by Laura Miller

May 26, 2022

SteelZero has released a series of suggestions in a new policy paper that it feels governments must take to support and speed up the global steel industry’s goals of achieving net zero emissions.

analysisSteelZero, a global initiative led by international non-profit Climate Group in partnership with ResponsibleSteel, believes decision makers in government first need to agree on and promote a global standard and definition of what low emission and net zero actually are. They must also create a level playing field for net zero steel in all global markets. Getting businesses to measure and report on carbon emissions and setting expectations on what steelmakers need to do to drastically cut carbon emissions is also needed, the initiative says.

“The business voice is strong on what needs to be addressed to decarbonize the steel industry. From the need to clarify what’s considered low emission steel to enhanced coordination between private and public sector procurement, there isn’t a one size fits all solution. This policy position highlights six key principles to accelerate the net zero transition of the steel industry. If widely implemented, this will mobilize the systemic change that’s needed and support businesses in meeting their net zero steel targets by 2050,” said Jen Carson, head of industry for the Climate Group.

The policy paper is meant to help SteelZero members and the wider business community to advocate for the industry’s transition towards net zero steel. SteelZero members include a number of mostly European companies – among them AP-Moller-Maersk, Orsted, and SKF – that use steel and are committed to working towards the use of 100% net zero steel by 2050.

ResponsibleSteel is a not-for-profit organization that has created the industry’s first global standard and certification initiative. Companies recognizing the importance of responsible sourcing and production from every part of the steel supply chain are welcome to join. Among the list of its member companies are other steelmakers including ArcelorMittal, BlueScope, Hyundai Steel, POSCO, and Tata Steel. US Steel is currently the only American steelmaker who is a member, with its Big River Steel mill the first North American site to receive ResponsibleSteel certification.

By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. Since 2007, she has held various editorial and marketing positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills. In 2021, after a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel trade journalism, joining SMU in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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