In a formal statement, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) challenges a newly proposed sliding-scale method for assessing green steel, arguing that it undermines the integrity of emissions data and risks boosting carbon-intensive production. BIR emphasizes its role representing the recycling sector across 72 countries and more than 30,000 companies, and reiterates support for climate standards that accurately quantify carbon emissions in steelmaking.
Background: Steel remains a major energy and industrial emitter. Estimates place steel production at roughly 8 percent of global energy-sector emissions and about 30 percent of total industrial emissions. The term green steel generally refers to steel produced with low or near-zero carbon intensity, as measured against emissions benchmarks. BIR asserts that any credible green-label framework must rest on transparent, rigorous data rather than adjustable thresholds.
What the sliding-scale method does
The current proposal uses a dual-standard, scrap-adjusted framework. Under this approach, facilities that incorporate lower amounts of recycled material could still meet a green steel designation even if their total emissions remain higher than others that use more recycled content. BIR argues this creates a perverse incentive: more carbon-intensive plants could be rewarded, while those maximizing recycled inputs face penalties, effectively diluting incentives to reuse material.
Why this matters for decarbonisation and circularity
BIR warns that silently endorsing the sliding-scale method would distort environmental claims and weaken the link between actual emissions and sustainability labels. The organization says the approach undermines core circular-economy principles by allowing adjustments that mask real performance differences and could erode trust among policymakers, investors, and consumers.
What BIR recommends instead
- Transparent, science-based standards: A green steel label should reflect verifiable carbon intensity without reliance on offset adjustments.
- Account for primary vs. secondary steelmaking: Recognize the distinct emissions profiles of different production routes to ensure fair comparisons.
- Process-agnostic framework: A single standard should apply across technologies to create a level playing field for decarbonisation investments.
- Credible governance: Clear methodologies, regular data verification, and openness to stakeholder input are essential for market confidence.
Policy and industry engagement
With steel making responsible for a material share of global emissions, BIR says a credible green steel label is essential for achieving decarbonisation goals. The federation calls on policymakers and industry players to support a transparent approach that prioritizes actual emissions data over adjustable factors. BIR remains committed to collaborating on a robust framework that aligns environmental claims with measurable performance and supports a genuinely circular steel economy.
About BIR
The Bureau of International Recycling represents the global recycling industry, spanning 72 countries and more than 30,000 companies. It advocates for policies and standards that advance circularity, resource efficiency, and credible environmental reporting in metals and other sectors.
