Steel makes case for place in low-carbon economy

The global steel industry is making good progress in its efforts to accurately record the scale of its carbon footprint, according to an update from the sector's trade association.

Unveiling its annual sustainability report last week, the World Steel Association said that more than 56 steel producers had provided the organisation with data on their carbon emissions, representing 60 per cent of its members' steel production and almost a third of total global steel production.

World Steel Association director general, Ian Christmas, said the organisation would now aim to have three-quarters of its members' steel production accounted for under the carbon reporting initiative by the end of year.

He added that once the first phase of carbon data capture was complete the trade group would aim to produce national and regional reports that would provide a benchmark from which the industry will attempt to cut emissions.

"Over time, we hope to show real progress by the industry in reducing our carbon dioxide emissions for every tonne of steel we produce," he said. "The World Steel Association will confidentially hold individual plant data and will be establishing a powerful and detailed database to help our members know where they are in relation to the averages, either in their region or the world."

Philippe Varin, chief executive of Corus and chairman of the World Steel Association Climate Change Policy Group, welcomed the progress as evidence of the industry's commitment to curb a carbon footprint that accounts for an estimated four to five per cent of global carbon emissions.

However, he also argued that while steel remains a carbon-intensive industry it has an important role to play in the development of a lower carbon economy.

"Steel is not a single product; there are thousands of grades of steel and many new grades are developed each year," he explained. "The applications of these new grades can lead to stronger, lighter, safer structures and passenger cars than we have had before."

He cited the example of new advanced high strength steel which, when used in a typical five-door family car, results in a reduction in carbon emissions of about 2.2 tonnes over the lifecycle of the vehicle.

"With 71 million passenger vehicles being produced annually, this would save more than 156 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents," he argued, adding that similar improvements in steel used in construction could also help deliver carbon savings.