We’re shaping a more responsible steel industry.
We have the opportunity to do things differently
ResponsibleSteel is a global, not-for-profit organisation created to maximise steel’s contribution to a sustainable world. Working collaboratively with our members, we have developed an independent standards and certification programme for steel via a process that uses the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice as a reference. Together, we are setting the global standard for responsibly produced net-zero steel.
We’re at a pivotal moment in the steel industry
According to ResponsibleSteel's calculations using data from RMI and the International Energy Agency (IEA), the steelmaking process, from the extraction of raw materials to the production of steel, accounts for 10% of global GHG emissions. We face a collective challenge to transform the industry, reducing global emissions while ensuring a just transition for workers and local communities.
We have over 160 members working to deliver on our mission to drive responsible steel production.
According to the IEA's Net Zero Emissions Scenario, we need to reduce steel industry emissions by at least 90% by 2050, compared to 2022.
We have over 80 ResponsibleSteel certified sites globally.
Over 230,000 workers are covered by ResponsibleSteel certification.
Over 30% of furnaces covered by ResponsibleSteel certification are EAFs.
This is the future of steel
Our members are at the heart of our work
ResponsibleSteel’s membership consists of representatives from across the steel value chain, including businesses, NGOs, trade associations, and other organisations with an interest in our mission. This means our standards are uniquely shaped by multiple perspectives, and their adoption requires the support of both business and civil society members. We encourage organisations globally to join us to create lasting impact for people and the planet.
Certified sites around the world
Latest news & events
ResponsibleSteel and LESS aisbl urge robust, scrap-conscious approach to effective European steel decarbonisation
ResponsibleSteel and the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS aisbl) today jointly release a new policy briefing, ‘The Steel Decarbonisation Scale’, urging European policymakers to adopt a more robust and realistic approach to steel decarbonisation—one that recognises the physical limits of scrap supply and incentivises genuine emissions reductions across all steel production routes.
The study highlights that Europe’s steel industry, as the world’s second-largest producer, is responsible for 6% of the European Union’s total emissions. With ambitious EU targets aiming for a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the way steel decarbonisation is measured and incentivised is of critical importance.
A key finding of the study is that current policy discussions, including the European Steel and Metals Action Plan (ESMAP) and proposals for voluntary carbon labels for steel, risk undermining climate goals if they fail to account for the fundamental constraints on scrap availability. Despite a high global steel recycling rate of 85%, only about 32% of the world’s demand for new steel can currently be met with recycled scrap due to the long lifetime of steel products, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). While the amount of available scrap is set to increase, the IEA estimates that scrap will still only be sufficient to meet 46% of steel demand by 2050.
“Steel decarbonisation requires an appropriate base for comparing steel products in terms of their global climate impact,” said Dr. Martin Theuringer, Secretary General of LESS aisbl. “Scrap is a valuable and limited resource. Any label or standard that ignores this risks distorting markets and ultimately slowing down the transition to truly low-emission steel. Our approach ensures that both primary and scrap-based production are incentivised to decarbonise, not just to compete for a fixed pool of scrap.”
ResponsibleSteel and LESS propose the adoption of a “steel decarbonisation scale” that complements traditional carbon footprinting by explicitly accounting for the ratio of scrap and primary iron used in steelmaking. This approach, already recognised by the G7 and incorporated into international standards, would:
- Prevent fruitless competition for a limited scrap supply
- Incentivise decarbonisation across all steel production routes
- Promote technology-neutral, WTO-compliant solutions
- Support the competitiveness of European industry while advancing global climate goals
“A European label for steel is a great opportunity to incentivise steelmakers to become globally competitive on their real decarbonisation progress,” said Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel. “A well-designed classification system will do this by taking into account scrap content in addition to the measurement of steel‘s carbon intensity, recognising that scrap will at best provide half of the world’s steel by 2050. As a result, this ‘steel decarbonisation scale’ approach incentivises investments that drive progress in the steelmaking process itself, whether in primary or secondary iron and steel making.”
The two organisations call on the European Commission to integrate the steel decarbonisation scale into the development of voluntary labels, lead markets, and investment support mechanisms, ensuring that future measures are effective, fair, and aligned with Europe’s climate ambitions.
Download the briefing here.
Access ResponsibleSteel’s approach to GHG emissions metrics here.
May 2025 Newsletter
This month, we’re building on the momentum from our recent AGM and Members Meeting, where we reflected on the progress of the past year and explored the key priorities for 2025.
We’ve launched a new events page for upcoming initiatives. Alongside this, we are announcing new training sessions and working groups, with workshops scheduled in the coming months.
We are also calling on members to submit guest blogs for the ResponsibleSteel website to share insights, innovations, and experiences of responsible steelmaking.
Read our latest newsletter for updates, opportunities to engage, and news from across our network.
Click here to read the full newsletter.
April 2025 Newsletter
This month, we’re proud to share the second ResponsibleSteel Progress Report - a chance to reflect on the major milestones achieved in 2024, highlight key learnings, and look ahead to the work still to come.
Our upcoming AGM and Members Meeting will also explore important developments across our programmes. If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time.
To mark Earth Day, we’ve published a new article examining our relationship with the planet and the role ResponsibleSteel plays in supporting its protection.
We highlight an important upcoming development relating to our decarbonisation requirements and guidance. You’ll also find the latest updates on audits, events, and training opportunities.
In this newsletter, you will find updates on:
- Our 2025 Progress Report
- New members
- Upcoming trainings
- Updates from the team
- And more...
Click here to read the full newsletter.
