Improving the quality of life of current and future generations is the key objective of sustainability, or sustainable development, which includes social, economical and environmental dimensions in addition to the stewardship concept that encourages responsible resource use management. Steel products help to fulfill the requirements of society, and steelmakers are committed to produce steel in a safe and sustainable way.
In its website, the World Steel Association discusses the various measures being taken by the global steel industry to address the challenges it is facing by providing a number of resources such as brochures, company case studies and other useful data. The World Steel Association is also continually reporting its sustainability indicator performance and evolution in meeting the commitments mentioned in its sustainable development policy.
Sustainability Efforts of the Steel Industry
Many different types of steels have been developed for the purpose of supporting housing, transport, food supply and energy delivery solutions. Steel is a versatile material and addresses the various challenges caused by energy, water distribution, population growth poverty, and climate poverty. Almost every product being used is either made from, or produced with, steel.
The steel industry is working on optimizing the usability of steel over product life cycles, particularly in the use phase by providing lighter, durable, safer and smart structures for construction and transportation. It also continues to work with designers to fabricate easily reusable and recyclable products so as to optimize steel recycling. Steel is the world’s most recycled material and one of its most useful properties is its recyclability, which saves significant amount of precious raw materials and energy for future generations.
Sustainable Development Policy
The member companies of the World Steel Association are committed to a vision that values steel as a major cornerstone of a sustainable world. This is accomplished by a financially-sound industry which takes control in social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Sustainability
Efficient utilization of raw materials, re-use and recycling are the key aspects of the public agenda. The impact of steel during the whole life cycle of products, water management and the use of by-products are the key areas of focus for the steel industry. worldsteel presents life cycle inventory data for major steel products and provides assistance to those who use the data, including member companies, LCA consultants, customers, and universities.
In several parts of the world, many steelmakers are able to achieve the lowest possible carbon dioxide intensity per ton of steel manufactured through technology innovations and efficient operations. Hence, research and development on innovative technologies is essential in order to achieve considerable emission reduction from steel production. The launch of Climate Action in 2008 makes companies to report company-level and on-site carbon dioxide emissions.
Social Sustainability
The steel industry is working on achieving an injury-free and healthy workplace. worldsteel created a Safety and Health Principles Guidance Book in 2008, which is now available in 10 different languages. It also created a safety poster that facilitates its members to adopt and implement the principles. Moreover, as an aspect of its social responsibility efforts, worldsteel offers resources to help employees and the public learn about steels and steelmaking. Besides providing employment, steelmakers actively support infrastructure and different health-improving initiatives.
Economic Sustainability
A sustainable steel industry requires to be economically strong because deterioration in market conditions will affect revenues. To help the society with employment, and to support communities with useful products, companies require to sustain themselves and their environments.
Sustainability Indicators
Sustainability indicators were created in 2003 and data for these indicators were released in 2005 for the first time. There are eight sustainability indicators used to evaluate the performance of an industry. Each indicator focuses on one or more of the commitments mentioned in the sustainable development policy. Greenhouse gas emissions, energy intensity, material efficiency, and environment management systems (EMS) are the indicators for environmental sustainability, while employee training and lost time injury frequency rate are the indicators for social sustainability, and economic value distributed and investment in new processes and products are the indicators for economic sustainability.
Company Case Studies
These case studies are provided by the member companies of worldsteel. These resources highlight the various measures taken by worldsteel member companies to handle sustainable challenges.
Members' Sustainability Reports
Here, member companies of worldsteel have provided access to their sustainability and corporate responsibility reports.
Stakeholder Survey
To better understand stakeholders’ view of sustainability problems associated with steel and the steel industry.
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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by WorldAutoSteel (World Auto Steel).
For more information on this source, please visit WorldAutoSteel (World Auto Steel).