The European steel industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. As one of the most emissions-intensive sectors, responsible for 5% of the EU’s total emissions and over a quarter of industrial emissions, its transformation is essential to achieving the European Union’s ambitious climate goals.
The steel sector must undergo rapid decarbonisation, shifting away from polluting coal-based production towards clean, near-zero emissions alternatives. This transition is not only an environmental imperative but also an opportunity to secure the industry’s long-term competitiveness, ensure job security, and reinforce Europe’s industrial leadership in a changing global market.
However, over 50% of EU steel production still relies on coal-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) routes. Most blast furnaces are aged and due for reinvestment or retirement before 2035, so a decision must be made: reinvest in outdated, polluting technology or accelerate near-zero emission steel alternatives.
The State of the European Steel Transition is a report produced by a broad community of experts and civil society groups who are advocating for a green steel transition in Europe. E3G and Beyond Fossil Fuels led on coordinating the project behind this report, helping to compile and aggregate the views across civil society organisations.
Read the report here.