Prospective Assessment of Steel Manufacturing Relative to Planetary Boundaries: Calling for Life Cycle Solution

Abstract

Steel, as one of the largest consumed materials is a large contributor to climate change accounting for about 7% of annual human induced CO2 emissions. Using material in-use stock modelling and dynamic life-cycle assessment, this study predicted the share of the safe operating space for climate change that will be occupied by steel production between 2015 and 2100. Results show that if current practice is continued, steel manufacturing will occupy what corresponds to about 50% of the safe operating space for climate change by 2100, indicating an urgent need for impact reducing strategies to stay within the safe operating space