“Towards Carbon Neutral Steel in Japan: Learning from the Latest Trends in the European Union” has been published by Renewable Energy Institute. Japan announced its carbon neutrality goal by 2050. Industry sectors account for 37% of Japan’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, among which, iron and steel form the largest industrial emitters. Iron and steel are important materials widely used by a multitude of industries. Thus, transformation of the upstream steel making process is essential to minimize the carbon footprint of industrial products made in Japan while remaining competitive.
Since the steel making process requires high-temperature heat and emits an enormous amount of carbon dioxide induced from using coke (made from coal), decarbonizing this sector is considered difficult. However, as this Info Pack clearly shows, technological alternatives, such as hydrogen-based direct reduction and utilizing scrap steel in electric furnaces, are already promising options. In particular, Europe is the global leader in terms of both developing policy frameworks and promoting steel companies’ shift to green steel production, which provides meaningful implications for the policy debate in Japan.
Download the report here
