Climate protection is the focus of much of the European Steel Association's work. Continuing the downward trend in energy use and climate-impacting greenhouse gas emissions is essential to ensuring the sustainability of the European steel sector.
The European steel industry is the most advanced of its kind in the world. As it is, Europe leads the way in environmental and climate performance. CO2 emissions and energy use in European steel production have been halved since 1960, and the sector has the ambition to further achieve cuts of between 80-95% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.
This transition will require significant investment in new technological development and deployment, in energy infrastructure, consumption and type, and will require access to high-quality
materials, such as iron ore and scrap. EUROFER works on climate and energy issues to establish how this essential change can happen in the sector, ensuring that Europe remains on track to fulfil its Paris Climate Accords requirements, whilst also making European steel fit for a clean, low-carbon future.
Brussels 20 March 2026 - The European Steel Association (EUROFER) welcomes the European Council conclusions adopted 19 March that recognises affordable energy is essential to competitiveness, decarbonisation ambitions and Europe’s industrial future. However, the steel sector warns that unless the response measures are designed and implemented effectively, they risk falling short of delivering both immediate relief and the structural changes needed to protect Europe’s industrial base.
Brussels, 16 March 2026 According to the latest economic report from the European Steel Association (EUROFER), Europe’s steel market is estimated to have shown signs of growth. However, it also highlights how the sector’s outlook is clouded by imports having gained a record share of the EU market, falling European production, volatile energy prices and rising trade tensions.
First quarter 2026 report. Data up to, and including, third quarter 2025