Directions of decarbonization of Russian ferrous metallurgy

Ferrous metallurgy is a colossal industry with a huge number of industrial facilities and equipment built for centuries. It accounts for approximately 8 % of current global anthropogenic emissions of CO 2 oxides. The future of decarbonization of these assets depends on investments by major market players in the development and implementation of breakthrough steel production technologies and operation of the carbon units market. With careful and responsible management of companies’ climate agenda, even against the backdrop of ever-growing demand for steel, metallurgy has every chance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 times in 25 years. At the same time, the implementation of industrial and environmental innovations at enterprises requires an integrated approach. As part of the research, we studied the regulatory documents of the Government of the Russian Federation regulating reduction of carbon intensity of products, growth of energy conservation and reduction of the impact on climate of the metallurgical industry. Criteria for sustainable (including green) development projects for steel producers were identified. The analysis of EVRAZ Group’s climate initiatives, carried out as part of the implementation of the company’s decarbonization strategy, was conducted. The identified climatic projects of the Russian industrialists were developed with the aim of producing and selling coal units. The formulated key directions of decarbonization of domestic ferrous metallurgy include operational methods for reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, transition to environmentally friendly technologies, the use of low-carbon energy sources, introduction of closed crude cycles of ferrous metals, and optimization of the total carbon intensity of the asset portfolio. The implementation of environmental and climate projects will ensure the sustainable development of the metallurgical industry, optimize integrated efficiency indicators, and identify a niche in the competitive business environment.