Philippe Aubron, ArcelorMittal’s Head of Global Automotive, joined ResponsibleSteel’s Board of Directors earlier this year. We asked him a few questions on the industry’s most promising developments, growing demand for sustainable, low-emission steel, and the value of ResponsibleSteel in supporting the shift towards sustainable practices.

1. You’ve witnessed the steel industry evolve significantly over the past three decades. What do you think are the most important changes shaping the sector today?

Over the past 30 years, the steel industry has undergone a profound transformation. Today, the most significant change is the shift toward sustainability and decarbonisation. This is driven by both regulatory pressure and customer demand, particularly in sectors like automotive. Digitalisation and advanced manufacturing technologies are also reshaping how we produce and use steel, enabling greater efficiency, traceability, and innovation. The industry is no longer just about volume and cost—it’s about value, responsibility, and long-term impact.

2. What role do you see ResponsibleSteel playing in helping the industry deliver on its sustainability commitments?

ResponsibleSteel provides a credible, independent multistakeholder standard that supports transparency and continuous improvement across a broad range of ESG criteria. It helps steelmakers demonstrate responsible practices and gives customers confidence in the sustainability of their supply chains. Importantly, ResponsibleSteel is also working to align with other standards, such as the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) and the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, to ensure interoperability and reduce complexity for producers and customers alike. This harmonisation is essential to building trust and accelerating the transition across the industry.

3. What value does ArcelorMittal see from being part of ResponsibleSteel?

The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard is not just about emissions—it encompasses over 500 ESG criteria, from biodiversity to human rights. As the industry evolves, ResponsibleSteel will be instrumental in setting credible benchmarks and enabling customers to make informed choices. The Production Standard has been warmly received by all ArcelorMittal sites that have undertaken the certification process, which proved valuable in helping to identify opportunities to further improve ESG practices and performance. It has served to strengthen our management systems, ensuring we continue to embed robust ESG standards across our operations.

4. Where (regionally or technologically) do you see the most promising developments in sustainable steel production emerging?

ArcelorMittal is already producing low carbon emission steel in various locations around the world, although Europe remains a frontrunner due to its regulatory ambition. However, the technological path is complex and requires strong policies to address global steel overcapacity, unfair trade, carbon leakage, clean energy cost and availability, and prioritising scrap for circularity and decarbonisation within the EU. A framework to address these issues and more was set out by the European Commission in its Steel and Metals Action Plan which was published earlier this year. However, what is lacking is speed of implementation—the framework outlined in the Steel and Metals Action Plan needs to be converted into effective legislation. We remain hopeful that this can be achieved as soon as possible.

5. As Head of Global Automotive for ArcelorMittal, how is demand for low-emission and sustainable steel evolving among automotive customers? What are going to be the industry’s biggest challenges in meeting this demand?

Automotive OEMs are increasingly integrating sustainability into procurement, driven by Scope 3 emissions targets and consumer expectations. Demand for low-carbon steel is gradually increasing, but the real challenge lies in scaling supply to meet demand at a competitive cost. While some customers are already securing volumes for upcoming vehicle launches, the majority remain hesitant to absorb the higher cost associated with the 'green premium'—despite clear signals that the shift is underway. The industry must overcome high production and energy costs, limited availability of green inputs, and the need for harmonised standards. Also, more work can be done to increase circularity—for example, scrap steel buybacks—and recycling, and therefore create closed loops.

6. What drew you to join the ResponsibleSteel Board at this moment in the industry’s transition?

This is a pivotal moment for the steel industry. The decisions we make now will shape the sector’s impact on climate, communities, and the economy for decades to come. I joined the ResponsibleSteel Board to help ensure that the transition is ambitious, credible, and inclusive. With my background in automotive and global operations, I hope to bring a practical perspective to the table and help bridge the gap between producers and end-users.

At Maxion Wheels, our commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in our business strategy. As a leading global manufacturer of both aluminum and steel wheels, we understand the critical role we play in the automotive industry and the broader societal impact of our operations. Our annual steel requirement amounts to 800,000 tons, covering our operations across North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Scope 3 emissions from the steel we purchase make up the largest share of our total emissions at 56%. Reducing these upstream emissions is strategically important to Maxion Wheels’ goal of becoming a net-zero operation by 2040. To this end, we have entered into future partnership agreements with selected steel manufacturers that offer a green vision and a solid decarbonisation strategy. We actively encourage our steel suppliers to offer more sustainable options, enabling Maxion Wheels to develop solutions that fulfil our customers’ expectations.

Strong industry standards and frameworks help unify the supply chain around shared sustainability values. They also make supply chain sustainability governance more efficient and less resource-intensive. The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard provides a benchmark on sustainable best business practices for the steel industry, and ResponsibleSteel’s Principles align with our own values as well as the expectations we have of our supplier network.

Our responsible sourcing policy reflects this commitment by awarding credit points to steel suppliers in their annual performance rating, if they are members of ResponsibleSteel. We collaborate with steel manufacturers who are committed to reducing their emissions and implementing closed-loop systems. These manufacturers are not only dedicated to minimising their environmental footprint but also to enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations. By targeting these forward-thinking steel producers, we ensure that our supply chain supports our sustainability goals.

Our ResponsibleSteel membership is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. With our holistic supply chain risk management, we continuously monitor and evaluate our suppliers, recognising and rewarding those who excel in responsible practices.

At Maxion Wheels, we are proud to be at the forefront of this important movement, leading the way towards a sustainable, net-zero future as a proud member of ResponsibleSteel.

Emirates Steel Industries Co. PJSC (EMSTEEL) has earned Core Site Certification under the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard, introducing ResponsibleSteel certification to the MENA region and establishing a key benchmark for the region’s steel sector.

Located in the Abu Dhabi Industrial City, EMSTEEL operates a fully integrated facility producing 4.2 million tonnes of direct reduced iron annually and over 7 million combined tonnes of steel products such as billets, beam blanks, blooms, and reinforcing bars. The audit, conducted by CARES, assessed performance against more than 300 social, environmental, and governance requirements.

Annie Heaton, CEO of ResponsibleSteel, said,“The certification of EMSTEEL marks the arrival of ResponsibleSteel certification in the MENA region and sets an important benchmark for the region’s steel industry. The site certification recognises EMSTEEL’s established governance systems, as well as transparent engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. As a region that plays a growing role in the global steel supply chain, the MENA region is poised to become an important piece of the puzzle in the industry’s transition. This certification not only shows that sustainability standards can be applied effectively across different regions but also reflects the sustained progress being made by companies like EMSTEEL. We look forward to continuing our work with EMSTEEL and other regional leaders on the journey to a more responsible steel value chain.”

EMSTEEL's decarbonisation strategy aims to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline, more than double the UAE’s 19% reduction requirement, and to achieve net zero by 2050. The company’s five-pillar plan involves carbon capture, 100% clean electricity by 2030, enhanced energy efficiency, increased scrap use, and the adoption of green hydrogen having launched the region’s first hydrogen-based steel pilot project with Masdar in 2023.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer, EMSTEEL, commented, “Achieving the ResponsibleSteel™ certification is a proud milestone for us and is a testament to our relentless commitment to sustainability, innovation and responsible growth. As the first company in the MENA region to meet this global benchmark, we’re proud to continue driving national advanced manufacturing goals, while setting industry benchmarks for decarbonising the steel value chain.”

With over 2,700 employees and contractors, EMSTEEL plays a key role in the UAE’s industrial landscape and supports a broad network of stakeholders. Representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, and the local community were consulted as part of the audit, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement across the steel value chain.

Take a look at the certificates and public audit summaries here.

At SKF, we believe that the journey to net zero must be a collective one, built on shared standards, collaboration across the value chain, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As a global industrial technology leader and significant buyer of steel, purchasing more than half a million tons annually, we recognise the important role we play in supporting the transformation of the steel industry.

Steel is a critical material in our products and represents around 70% of our upstream carbon footprint. In recognition of this, we’ve made the decarbonisation of our steel supply chain a strategic focus. However, we also recognise that genuine progress needs more than internal ambition; it requires industry-wide alignment and credible frameworks to guide action.

That’s why SKF joined ResponsibleSteel. We see ResponsibleSteel as a vital platform for advancing a shared understanding of what responsible steel production looks like - one that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles with robust standards for emissions and broader sustainability performance. The initiative’s multi-stakeholder governance and assurance frameworks provide the transparency and consistency needed to support informed decision-making and accelerate change.

We are proud to have contributed to the development of ResponsibleSteel’s International Production Standard, which provides a much-needed framework for measuring and improving the climate performance of steel producers. We actively encourage our steel suppliers to engage with the ResponsibleSteel Standard and consider how it can support their own sustainability journeys. Through SKF’s Sustainability Standard for Suppliers, we promote alignment with ResponsibleSteel’s 13 Principles and reporting expectations with steel and steel component suppliers. We believe that by raising awareness and fostering dialogue around ResponsibleSteel’s approach, we can help build momentum for more sustainable practices across the value chain.

In parallel, we are working closely with selected steelmakers to explore and scale low-carbon technologies. This includes partnerships to develop steel made from recycled content and hydrogen-reduced iron (H-DRI), as well as pilot projects that demonstrate the feasibility of greener steel in industrial applications. These collaborations are helping to demonstrate what’s possible and inspire broader adoption across the sector.

We also use our voice to advocate for systemic change. Through our involvement in initiatives such as ResponsibleSteel and SteelZero, we support the development of policy and market mechanisms that can accelerate the transition towards a net-zero steel industry. We believe that demand-side signals from buyers, combined with clear standards and supportive policy, are key to unlocking investment and innovation.

At SKF, we see responsible steel not only as a material choice but as a strategic lever for climate action, resilience, and long-term value creation. We’re proud to stand with ResponsibleSteel and its members in advancing this vision, and we look forward to continuing the journey together.

ResponsibleSteel has published verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data from Certified Sites as part of its members’ commitment to transparent emissions accounting and data disclosure.

As pressure for credible climate action grows, clear, consistent and comparable emissions data is essential. It enables steel buyers, investors, policy makers and other stakeholders to effectively assess the emissions performance of steel production sites and make informed decisions, helping to drive progress on industry decarbonisation.

Today, we mark an important early milestone on the journey towards transparent and consistent emissions accounting and data disclosure. Following multi-stakeholder agreement on what is necessary for credible data disclosure as part of the development of the Production Standard, we are now publicly disclosing these GHG data points. But this is just the beginning.

Moving forward, we aim to see wider adoption of ResponsibleSteel’s accounting methodology for the globally comparable metric of cradle-to-crude steel GHG emissions intensity at site level, and more sites working toward achieving ResponsibleSteel Certified Steel. With this shift, we will move towards being able to compare data reliably, enabling like-for-like assessments of emissions performance.

Whilst we are already seeing incremental emissions reductions across some steelmaking sites, in the coming years, we hope to celebrate deeper emissions reductions, verified based on robust, comparable data.

What data are sites required to disclose?

Under Principle 10 of the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard, sites are required to disclose emissions data depending on their level of certification:

Core Site Certification

Sites certified against ResponsibleSteel’s Core requirements must measure, record and verify their total site-level GHG emissions using a regionally or internationally recognised methodology. The site may choose to use the ‘cradle-to-crude’ emissions accounting methodology developed by ResponsibleSteel, but it is not mandatory. Core   Site Certification can apply to steelmaking sites as well as upstream or downstream manufacturing sites in the value chain.

Certified Steel

Sites that have achieved certification against ResponsibleSteel’s Progress Level requirements to market and sell products as Certified Steel must use the consistent ‘cradle-to-crude’ emissions accounting methodology developed by ResponsibleSteel. This enables like-for-like comparison of crude steel GHG emissions intensity across sites globally. Only steelmaking sites can be certified to sell Certified Steel. These sites must disclose their:

• Crude steel emissions intensity;
• Proportion of scrap used as metallic input;
• The Decarbonisation Progress Level achieved; and
• Product-level carbon footprint data.

All data published on ResponsibleSteel’s website has been independently verified by third-party auditors to ensure accuracy, which is then also reviewed by ResponsibleSteel’s Assurance Panel and Secretariat.

It’s important to note that while disclosing emissions at site level aids in the comparability of data, the Production Standard also permits the disclosure of a weighted average across a portfolio of sites instead, provided the portfolio meets the requirements for a ‘strategic business unit’ as defined in the ResponsibleSteel Glossary.  In some cases, due to the nature of the business unit, a portfolio may consist of both certified and non-certified sites.

Disclosure of portfolio-level data on the ResponsibleSteel website represents a valuable next step and in time, we anticipate more steelmakers will opt to publish site-level data to strengthen transparency, enable clearer insights, and support decarbonisation progress.

Why are there gaps in the data?

It’s important to note that not all data is available yet. This could be because:

• A site is preparing for an upcoming surveillance or re-certification audit, after which the most recent data will be published; or
• A site was certified under an earlier version of the Production Standard. Public disclosure of GHG emissions data became a formal requirement with the publication of Version 2.0 of the Production Standard in September 2022. Sites certified under an earlier version are not obliged to publish this data on ResponsibleSteel’s website until it comes time for re-certification.

Working towards transparent, comparable emissions data measurement and reporting

Comparability of GHG emissions data is only meaningful when consistent measurement methodologies are applied. This includes (but is not limited to) aligning on emissions boundaries, the types of GHGs included, the use of default data, and the allocation methods for scrap and co-products.

For this reason, data from Core Site Certifications, while valuable, is not directly comparable across sites, as each may use different recognised methodologies.

To obtain certification to sell Certified Steel, however, sites must use ResponsibleSteel’s methodology to calculate their data, allowing for clear and consistent comparisons between steelmaking sites worldwide.  

To strengthen comparability and accelerate the industry’s transition, ResponsibleSteel encourages all steelmaking sites, whether pursuing Core Site Certification or not, to adopt its emissions accounting methodology and to publish their data.  

Learn more about ResponsibleSteel’s emissions accounting methodology here.  

To explore the data disclosed by ResponsibleSteel Certified Sites, visit our new webpage.

Steel is everywhere. It’s in the buildings we live and work in, the cars we drive, and the wind turbines we’re relying on for a low-carbon future. It’s strong, versatile and essential. But it also comes with a heavy social and environmental footprint, having a profound impact on people and the planet.

As global attention increasingly began to zero in on climate and sustainability issues, industries like agriculture, textiles, and timber began developing standards to measure and improve their impacts. But steel, despite being one of the most widely used and most carbon-intensive materials globally, remained largely outside this conversation. There was no common language, no shared benchmark, and no way of independently measuring industry progress.

An idea takes shape

The concept for a global standard for steel started to take shape between 2011 and 2015, developed initially by the Australian Steel Stewardship Forum. The foundations were laid for an international, non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation to tackle the most pressing sustainability issues in the steel industry.

By 2015, industry stakeholders, including BlueScope and ArcelorMittal, began coming forward to support the initiative, recognising the need for an independent initiative to drive and measure industry progress. In 2016, the first face-to-face council meetings were held, and the organisation was incorporated as the Steel Stewardship Council.

The development of the first Standard

Developing a sustainability standard for one of the world’s most complex industries was no small task. But by 2017, the first working draft of ResponsibleSteel’s Production Standard had been developed using ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice as a reference.

Over the next two years, input from over 70 organisations and 180 individuals helped shape and strengthen the standard. In 2019, the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard Version 1.0 was approved by both business and civil society members, marking a critical milestone in making responsible steel a global reality.

The first ResponsibleSteel Certified Sites

Within two months of launching the Standard, the first steel sites began the audit process. Despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s first ResponsibleSteel certifications were awarded in 2021 to four ArcelorMittal sites in Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg.

Momentum quickly grew. By 2022, sites in Australia, North and South America, and Asia were certified, and by November, ResponsibleSteel Certified Sites spanned five continents and covered over 100 million tonnes of steel production.

Raising the bar: Certified Steel

Even before the first certificates were issued, work had already begun on a more ambitious task to define what truly low-emission, responsibly sourced steel should look like.

This led to the development of rigorous requirements on decarbonisation and materials sourcing. These requirements were refined through member working groups, public consultations, and a 12-month test phase, before being finalised as part of the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard Version 2.1, published in 2024.

Version 2.1 marked the green light for steelmakers ready to take their ResponsibleSteel journey to the next level: Certified Steel. In September 2024, at Climate Week NYC, U. S. Steel’s Big River Steel was unveiled as the first site globally to market and sell Certified Steel.

What’s next?

What began as a small initiative has become a global multi-stakeholder movement. Today, the ResponsibleSteel community numbers over 160 members from across the steel value chain and civil society organisations.

With the support of our members and partners, we continue to work to improve our standards and certification programmes. This includes work on the revision of the Production Standard to ensure it remains aligned with the needs of the industry and our planet, and the development of a Chain of Custody Standard to enable downstream buyers to make credible claims relating to the amount of Certified Steel in their products.

Together, we’re striving to construct an ecosystem to support a positive industry transition by engaging the full value chain, as well as policymakers and finance institutions, and by championing consistent, comparable emissions measurement to support alignment across standards and build a market for low-emission and near-zero steel.

Join the Movement

Steel is at the heart of the global economy – and the climate challenge. The work we do now will shape the industry of the future.

Find out how you can get involved here.

Steel is everywhere. It’s in the buildings we live and work in, the cars we drive, the bridges we cross, and the products we use every day. It's an essential material in the modern world and critical to the renewable energy transition.

But steel also comes with a cost. It’s a major source of emissions, contributing to 10% of global energy-related emissions, and the way it’s produced can have serious impacts on local communities and ecosystems. With growing pressure to reduce emissions, improve supply chain practices, and meet evolving regulations, the steel industry faces a huge challenge.

That’s where ResponsibleSteel comes in.

We're a global not-for-profit organisation created to maximise steel’s contribution to a sustainable world. Our mission is to be a driving force in the production of socially and environmentally responsible near-zero steel, steel that buyers and investors can get behind.

ResponsibleSteel supports:

• Steelmakers to demonstrate good practice on social and environmental issues, and measurable progress on decarbonisation
• Steel buyers and investors to make informed decisions and reduce risk in their supply chains and portfolios

Together, we have the opportunity to do things differently and support the industry's transition to a responsible, low-emission future.

What we do

ResponsibleSteel is the global standards and certification initiative for the steel industry. Working collaboratively with over 160 members from across the steel supply chain and civil society, we have developed the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard via a process that uses the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice as a reference.

The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard contains 13 Principles covering key environmental, social and governance issues identified and agreed upon by our members for the responsible production of steel. The Production Standard evaluates the full picture—not just carbon emissions, but also labour rights, human rights, water use, biodiversity, raw material sourcing, and other key issues that affect people and the planet.

Certification against the Production Standard combines all the complexities of good social and environmental performance in one indication. Steelmaking sites must undergo rigorous, third-party audits to become certified, ensuring that a site is meeting the highest environmental and social standards.

Certification provides steelmakers with a clear framework for improvement and helps buyers, investors, and other stakeholders understand whether a site is operating responsibly.

How it works

Certification is broken down into Core Site Certification and Steel Certification, or ‘Certified Steel’.

Core Site Certification against the Production Standard is the first step sites can take on their ResponsibleSteel journey. Sites undergoing Core Site Certification are evaluated against over 300 core requirements, covering the key social and environmental aspects of steelmaking such as pollution, biodiversity, water stewardship, labour rights and local communities. Core Site Certification is a major achievement, requiring commitment at the corporate level and across all of the site’s operations.

Now, steelmaking sites can build on their Core Site Certification, pursuing certification against the Production Standard’s Progress Level requirements for decarbonisation and responsible materials sourcing. The Production Standard defines four Progress Levels for the measurement of decarbonisation and responsible materials sourcing. Steelmaking sites that achieve at least Progress Level 1 for both are able to market and label their products as ‘Certified Steel’.

Why it matters

The need for reliable, consistent, comparable data in the steel industry has never been greater. Governments are introducing stricter climate disclosure regulations. Steelmakers and buyers are under pressure to reduce emissions and meet consumer demand for more sustainable products. And investors want to know which steelmakers are producing responsibly and planning for the future.

Certified Steel helps steelmakers show progress, build trust, and stand out in a competitive market. And it gives buyers and investors the confidence that a site has not only met the strong environmental and social criteria required for Core Site Certification, but is also making measurable progress on decarbonisation and materials sourcing. Certified Steel:

• Assures that steelmakers are meeting the highest social and environmental standards
• Offers credible, comparable emissions data to simplify decision-making
• Reduces supply chain and financial risks, protecting reputation and value

Working together to shape steel’s future

The industry will not transform overnight. And the transition cannot be left to steelmakers alone. Driving progress in the industry will require clear demand signals from steel buyers and backing from investors. That’s why we are working closely with buyers and investors to forge a path to a sustainable future for steel. Together, we’re helping to build a global market that is better for people, for business, and for the planet.

If you want to learn more, get involved, or see how ResponsibleSteel could support your work, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s take steel from strength to strength.

Learn more about ResponsibleSteel standards and certification here.

Are you a steel buyer or investor? Find out how you can get involved here.

To help improve the accessibility of ResponsibleSteel’s emissions methodology and accelerate robust emissions accounting and reporting, ResponsibleSteel has today published extracts from Principle 10 of the ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard relating to Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.

Importantly, this is not an independent standard against which steelmakers can make certification claims. Instead, ResponsibleSteel's Fundamentals for GHG Emissions Accounting and Classification is designed as a valuable resource for steelmakers, steel buyers, policymakers, investors, and civil society organisations to use as a reference to measure and track progress as the global industry transitions to lower-emission production practices.

The document aims to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of emissions accounting and reporting across the global steel industry by outlining three of Principle 10’s fundamental components:

1. ResponsibleSteel’s methodology for the calculation and disclosure of crude steel GHG emissions intensity at the site level.
2. ResponsibleSteel’s classification system to assess a steelmaking site’s decarbonisation progress.
3. ResponsibleSteel requirements for GHG emissions intensity declarations at product-level.

ResponsibleSteel’s “Decarbonisation Scale” approach enables all steelmaking sites, globally, to be compared on a like-for-like basis, based on transparent and fair accounting rules. By adopting this approach, the industry has the opportunity to increase the transparency and consistency of emissions data across the value chain, reducing administrative burdens and enabling more effective implementation of decarbonisation policies and mechanisms.

This new publication will be particularly valuable for stakeholders either looking to align with ResponsibleSteel’s approach or to build interoperability between GHG-specific frameworks, regulations, and procurement systems.

It is important to note that no claims relating to ResponsibleSteel certification, or its equivalency, or Decarbonisation Progress Level achievement, can be made based on this document alone. The document only represents a subset of Principle 10, which in full also addresses corporate commitments to the Paris Agreement, climate-related financial disclosures, and additional site-level emissions reductions. Nor does it include any of the other 12 Principles outlined in the Production Standard relating to the responsible production of steel.

We believe that truly responsible steel production requires steelmakers to go beyond decarbonisation and take steps to mitigate other social and environmental impacts. But amidst the growing urgency of the climate crisis, ResponsibleSteel remains committed to supporting global steel decarbonisation through practical tools developed with multi-stakeholder support. This latest publication reflects that commitment to offering robust, credible, scalable tools to accelerate emissions reductions at scale.

For any questions about the use or development of ResponsibleSteel’s Emissions Metrics, please contact standards@responsiblesteel.org.

Learn more about ResponsibleSteel’s Fundamentals for GHG Emissions Accounting and Classification here.

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.

ResponsibleSteel is fast becoming the reference tool to drive the demand, policy, and finance levers necessary for the steel industry’s transition, providing a sustainability roadmap that customers, communities, investors, and workers can all get behind.

ResponsibleSteel’s annual Progress Report provides an opportunity to measure and report on the progress of our programmes, celebrating our milestones and identifying areas for learning and improvement.

In this second ResponsibleSteel Progress Report, we track the development of new work undertaken in 2024, the growth of ResponsibleSteel's membership, and the progress of our certification programme as we look toward 2030 and beyond.

2024 was a challenging year for the industry, but despite setbacks, we continued to see real determination and progress.

In 2024, we saw a 34% increase in the number of Certified Sites, bringing the total up to 87. And we saw the first sites complete re-certifications, a true testament to the enduring value of ResponsibleSteel certification. Critically, the first Certified Steel was also launched on the market – 2.4 million tonnes produced by U. S. Steel’s Big River Steel site – marking a new era of progress.

This Progress Report examines the growth of ResponsibleSteel’s certification programme and membership in 2024, as well as featuring other highlights from the year, including:

• The launch of the International Production Standard Version 2.1
• The launch of a draft Chain of Custody Standard
• The publication of our report, Charting Progress to 1.5°C through certification
• Insights into the value of ResponsibleSteel membership and certification from our 2024 Membership Survey

Looking to the future, we continue to build on work begun in 2024 to build a market for responsibly produced, near-zero steel by engaging with and mobilising policymakers, investors, and buyers of steel.

Read the full report to find out more about our progress in 2024 and plans for 2025.