April 2021 Newsletter
ResponsibleSteel consultation on GHG and Input Materials Standards
We are pleased to announce the 2nd public stakeholder consultation on the revised draft requirements for the ResponsibleSteel ‘Steel Certification’. The consultation will be open for 30 days, closing on 19th May 2021.
The draft requirements address the responsible sourcing of input materials and define GHG emissions performance thresholds for steelmaking. They are designed to supplement the existing requirements of the ResponsibleSteel Standard (v1-0). ResponsibleSteel certified sites that meet the additional requirements would be able to market and sell ResponsibleSteel certified steel, co-products and by-products.
These are challenging issues, and it is important that we get the requirements right since they will be key for achieving our vision of “maximising steel’s contribution to a sustainable society”. We are keen to receive your feedback on the draft proposals, as well as any suggestions on other options that are better placed to achieve our goals.
You can find the draft requirements, background information and consultation questions in separate documents on the responsible sourcing of input materials, and on GHG emissions, here.
Please provide your feedback by 19 May 2021 on the forms through these links:
For feedback on the draft requirements for the responsible sourcing of input material:
https://forms.gle/NYZa91ktrSWQY4Wx9
For feedback on the draft requirements for GHG emissions:
https://forms.gle/WmAsPwGfKaik8htF9
The US Steel Corporation joins ResponsibleSteel
ResponsibleSteel welcomes US Steel as the first North American Steel Maker to its membership. The United States Steel Corporation announced today its membership in ResponsibleSteel, with the following statement.
“ResponsibleSteel is an important part of U. S. Steel’s ESG commitments and the 2050 carbon neutrality goal that we just announced,” said U. S. Steel President and Chief Executive Officer David B. Burritt. “By joining ResponsibleSteel we are demonstrating our intent to take our efforts beyond goals and actually deliver profitable solutions for our stakeholders and the planet.”
GHG Emissions Intensity Performance Thresholds for Crude Steel
The new draft requirements for the ResponsibleSteel certification of steel were published for consultation this week – see elsewhere in this month’s newsletter.
One critically important aspect of the new draft requirements is the proposed threshold level of performance for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for crude steel production. Steelmakers would need to have GHG emissions below this threshold in order to sell their steel (and potentially other co-products and by-products) as ‘ResponsibleSteel certified’.
The proposed threshold developed by ResponsibleSteel considers all significant GHG emissions for the production of crude steel ‘from mine to metal’, including the emissions associated with the mining of raw materials, and also takes account of the proportion of scrap and iron ore used as an input material. By doing so it creates a level playing field for comparing GHG emissions for all steelmaking irrespective of production technology and site configuration, and provides a basis for steel users and specifiers in both the public and private sectors to source steel responsibly, without shifting emissions from one country, project or steelmaker to another.
ResponsibleSteel worked with the consultancy CRU to test and quantify the proposed approach using CRU’s international site-level GHG emissions modelling and analysis. In March, our Policy & Standards Director, Matthew Wenban-Smith, together with Paul Butterworth, Head of Steel Analysis at CRU, presented the results of the work and the thinking behind the ResponsibleSteel model. A recording of the webinar and accompanying slides are available from the ResponsibleSteel website.
ResponsibleSteel is hiring an Operations Coordinator
Are you looking for an opportunity to join a small team working to help achieve net zero carbon emissions for the steel sector by 2050? We are looking for a part-time Operations Coordinator (remote working) to support the ResonsibleSteel CEO and team in the implementation of the ResponsibleSteel programme. This could lead to a full-time role in 2022.
For more info please see the resources page.
BSI ANZ Pty Ltd joins ResponsibleSteel as an approved auditor
BSI has become a ResponsibleSteel approved auditor to provide credible third-party verification of the standard. BSI provide the highest of level credibility and integrity to ensure the implementation of the ResponsibleSteel standard.
worldsteel has announced their “champions” for 2020
ResponsibleSteel would like to congratulate all 9 companies who have been announced as worldsteel 2020 Champions. All of these organisations have met the criteria set out by worldsteel on demonstrating their commitment to continuing sustainable development.
