Working Toward a Carbon-Free Steel

Blaine Brownell looks at ongoing efforts by the steel industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

Steel is one of the world’s most energy-intensive industries, contributing up to 11% of global CO₂ emissions. The ubiquitous material is present in nearly every building, and construction represents more than half of global steel demand. When we think of steel in buildings, we tend to conjure framing; however, most steel is used for elements other than the primary structure. According to the World Steel Association, reinforcing bars account for 44% of steel in buildings, followed by sheet products at 31%, and structural sections at 25%. Because steel is pervasive, has such a significant emissions impact, and continues to grow in demand—global crude steel production saw an increase of 11.6% last year—any serious effort to decarbonize buildings must include measurable progress to reduce steel’s carbon footprint.