Green steel in Australia to contribute to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 globally

Climate change presents significant socioeconomic challenges. To address this, industrialised countries have implemented policies and monitoring activities to achieve the goals set out by the Paris Agreement – reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Conventional steelmaking involves heating iron oxide and coke in a furnace at temperatures ranging from 900°C to 1,300°C and produces huge amounts of CO2. It has been estimated that the steel production accounted for 3.4 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2019.

Hydrogen technologies are an alternative for the iron and steel industry to achieve net zero emissions, with natural gas presenting itself as a device to supplement the transition phase needed to make the switch over to green steel, and thus reduce CO2 emissions.

Although implementing this high-tech activity is very expensive, it is not just the prerogative of multinational corporation and governments. The example of the Swedish start-up ” H2 Green Steel” demonstrated that all active national organisations, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, local universities and research centres, as well as multinational companies and policymakers, they must be involved in the development of an important project such as a national Green Steel industry.

It is therefore recommended that an event such as an International Forum be planned soon in Australia that can bring together key stakeholders with highly regarded experts who can share new ideas, new research results, innovative projects and international best practices.

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