G. Moffat, Gen. Manager of European Confederation of Ferrous Metallurgy (Eurofer); redaktion@stahleisen.de

The current global commitments for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not deliver the result seen as necessary by the IPCC to limit the global temperature increase to two degrees celsius to avoid dangerous climate change. The answer to climate change is not to force the delocalization of industry, but to use manufacturing industry as part of the solution – only industry can find the solutions for a sustainable approach to climate change. The European steel industry reduced emissions per ton of steel by about 50 % between 1970 and 2005. Projects such as ULCOS (Ultra Low CO₂ Steelmaking), with several promising new technologies to further reduce emissions from steelmaking, will need heavy investment if they are to be successful. However, the absurdity of the EU’s policy is that the revenues from auctioning of CO₂ allowances and other eco-taxes do not flow back to serve the proclaimed goal of converting the economy as quickly and smoothly as possible into a low-carbon economy with competitive energy prices. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on the German steel industry compares the CO₂ savings from innovative steel applications – such as more efficient power stations, wind turbines or lighter vehicles – with the CO₂ emissions from steel production. The study shows the savings potentials achieved through the use of steel are higher than the emissions from steel production in Germany. One-third of the German government’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % in 2020, compared with 1990 levels, can be achieved with innovative steel.