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blast furnaces are aged and due for reinvestment or retirement before 2035, so a decision must be made: reinvest in outdated, polluting technology or accelerate near-zero emission steel alternatives.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.
