Environmental sustainability
Today, efficient use of raw materials, re-use and recycling are high on the public agenda. For the steel industry, water management, the impact of steel during the entire life cycle of products, and the use of by-products by the steel industry and other industries are related important focus areas.
worldsteel provides life cycle inventory data for key steel products and assists those who use the data - including member companies, customers, universities and LCA consultants - with their analysis. Also, worldsteel is a Gold sponsor of the UNEP SETAC Life Cycle Initiative.
For many years, worldsteel has led projects on energy efficiency and technology. One key sustainable development priority is action on climate change. In many regions, technology innovations and efficient operations are enabling many steelmakers to achieve the lowest possible CO2 intensity per tonne of steel produced. Therefore, research and development on breakthrough technologies is needed, to radically lower emissions from steel production.
worldsteel has an industry position paper that offers guidelines on reducing steel-related greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2008, Climate Action was launched, under which companies report data on site- or company-level CO2 emissions. All steel producers may participate. A participating company or site receives a report showing the process route average emission data and range to which it can compare itself.
