Decarbonising steel will be a long-term challenge

Significance Other technological routes will be explored in tandem. Nonetheless, green steel could rejuvenate investment in greenfield steel production in Europe. Governments are likely to take action to protect domestic low-carbon production from cheaper higher-carbon imports. Impacts Lowering steel production’s carbon footprint is heavily dependent on large-scale electrolysis and cheap renewable power. China’s weak property market means more of its steel production will continue to be directed to export, which will cause trade frictions. Limited expansion of green steel output will support alternative, partial decarbonisation options such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).