context: The 2022 Implementation plan for promoting green consumption suggested that whole lifecycle carbon emissions assessments and standards governing emissions from production would be introduced for certain products. In 2024, several documents have been issued to futher push carbon footprint standards. 15 key industrial products, inclduing steel, are priotised.
CISA (China Iron and Steel Association) released the low carbon emission steel evaluation method group standard at the 2024 Green Development Digital Supply Chain Conference on 18 October.
Led by China Baowu Steel Group, the standard was developed with the collaboration of 44 entities across the industry and the contribution of over 100 experts. Key participants in the release ceremony included Jiang Wei, CISA vice president, and senior leaders from Baowu, China Metal Materials Circulation Association and several prominent steel and logistics companies.
Liu Yinghao 刘颖昊 Baowu Central Research Institute director and convener of the standard, noted that carbon emissions have emerged as a critical factor in international trade, with downstream users increasingly demanding low-carbon products. However, the current global standards for low-carbon steel are fragmented and inconsistent, posing challenges for the steel industry, she says.
This lack of standardisation has made it difficult for enterprises to navigate international trade policies and adopt sustainable practices. In response, the low carbon emission steel evaluation method was designed to address these challenges, aligning with the PRC’s development characteristics and resource endowments while adhering to international rules.
The standard, which was finalised after two years of research, is one of the most comprehensive of its kind globally, supported by detailed emissions data from around 350 million tons of crude steel capacity. It is based on the principles of lifecycle assessment, accounting for various carbon reduction techniques, and encouraging a diverse range of decarbonisation technologies. The standard enables the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from crude steel or hot-rolled products and establishes a grading system for carbon efficiency.
During the development process, the working group collaborated closely with international organisations like the International Energy Agency and Responsible Steel, and presented their findings at major platforms such as the World Trade Organisation and COP28 (2023 UN climate change conference). Input from downstream industries, including automotive and construction, was also incorporated to ensure the standard’s applicability and forward-thinking approach.