A circular economy would systematically reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycle goods. Designing a product to have a circular lifecycle means that, after repeated use and re-use, the discarded product becomes raw materials for making a new product.

Incentivise circularity

An electric furnace, used in the production of green steel, is powered by renewable energy

As most economies in the world continue to depend on steels, cements, and chemicals to satisfy basic needs, it is vital that the industries can make a speedy shift from carbon-intensive production to carbon-free one. 

Supporting innovation for carbon-free production can make the economies more sustainable

Ready for review

With Reed Words

Skyscrapers and bridges, cars and cruise ships, guns and washing machines. All have one thing in common: steel.

‘Green steel’: the race to clean up one of the world’s dirtiest industries

Substantial cuts in total energy demand and CO2 emissions will be needed by 2030 to get on track with the Sustainable Development Scenario.

Iron and Steel

Fossil fuels cause local pollution where they are produced and used, and their ongoing use is causing lasting harm to the climate of our entire planet. Nonetheless, meaningfully changing our ways has been very difficult.

Why are fossil fuels so hard to quit?

Project Drawdown presents individual solutions reviewed and assessed, including their relevant sector(s) and their impact on reducing heat-trapping gases.

Table of Solutions

As most economies in the world continue to depend on steels, cements, and chemicals to satisfy basic needs, it is vital that the industries can make a speedy shift from carbon-intensive production to carbon-free one. Some technologies are premature and others remain far more costly.

Strong government support and international cooperation can speed up the innovation and commercial implementation.

Supporting innovations for net-zero manufacturing, especially in emerging economies, can boost competitiveness while ensuring sustainable growth. It will also be important to make sure that new, local green jobs will be created around the next-generation industries.

How do we decarbonise the most carbon-intensive industries?

Supporting innovation for carbon-free production can make the economies more sustainable