A new report (see here for full details) produced by steelmakers, the World Steel Association and ResponsibleSteel, sets out a framework for developing robust guidance for those in the sector who wish to make a realistic and credible commitment to the Paris Agreement, with a net-zero or ‘science-based target’.

Annemarie Manger, Director Sustainability at Tata Steel in Europe, said “Sustainability is at the heart of our strategy and steel is at the heart of global sustainability. This is why we have set ourselves a target to reduce our steelmaking emissions in Europe by 30-40% by 2030.  To do this we will need to make significant investments to decarbonise our assets in the coming years, so we are preparing various decarbonisation options including hydrogen-based steel production technology and, especially in support of more rapid decarbonisation, carbon capture, storage or utilisation.

“Decarbonising the steel sector will need action not just from us and other steelmakers, but governments, policy, makers, markets and other stakeholders, including civil society, who will all need to work together to solve the challenge.  We very much welcome the publication of this report as an important step on the pathway to a decarbonised sector, by making a valuable contribution to supporting steel producers with their own target-setting and transition”.

Fifteen of the world’s largest steelmakers contributed to the report over the last year in order to produce these recommendations which will help the steel industry set ambitious net-zero carbon targets.  These recommendations are urgently needed as the steel sector currently emits between 7-9% of global CO2 emissions annually. However, steelmakers will not be able to achieve net zero on their own – significant support will be needed from both investors and policy makers to create the right environment for the massive and long-term investment required to make the structural changes needed. 

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For more information contact: alucas@responsiblesteel.org

About Tata Steel’s European operations

Tata Steel is one of Europe's leading steel producers, with steelmaking in the Netherlands and the UK, and manufacturing plants across Europe. The company supplies high-quality steel products to the most demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering. Tata Steel works with customers to develop new steel products which give them a competitive edge. The Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes. It is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world. The group recorded a consolidated turnover of US $21.06 billion in the financial year ending 31 March, 2021