ArcelorMittal aims for 30% cut in emissions in Europe by 2030

(Reuters News, 13 Dec 2019) The steel industry is responsible for about 7% of global emissions. Pressure is mounting on the sector to reduce its climate impact as the new European Commission has made carbon neutrality the top priority.

The world's biggest steelmaker ArcelorMittal announced plans on Friday to cut emissions by 30% at its European operations by 2030, two days after the European Union laid out its programme to be carbon neutral by 2050.

ArcelorMittal also said it aimed to publish a target for the whole group in the middle of next year.

The steel industry is responsible for about 7% of global emissions. Pressure is mounting on the sector, especially in Europe, to reduce its climate impact as the new European Commission, in office since the start of December, has made carbon neutrality the top priority.

"Our roadmap and the emissions reduction target of 30% by 2030 for Europe is a big step in the right direction," Geert Van Poelvoorde, CEO ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, said in a statement.

The target for a 30% cut from 2018 levels covers flat steel products, which form the bulk of ArcelorMittal's European output and are used in industries such as carmaking and construction.

Van Poelvoorde said ArcelorMittal supported the European Commission's so-called green deal on achieving carbon neutrality, and reiterated the company's demands for a carbon border tax to prevent industry leaving Europe in favour of cheaper but dirtier production elsewhere.

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Reuters News, 13 Dec 2019: ArcelorMittal aims for 30% cut in emissions in Europe by 2030