Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Circular Economy Transition in the EU Steel Sector
Analysing steel material flows with life cycle-based and macroeconomic assessment models
The EU steel sector can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64-81 Mt CO2-eq. annually by 2050 through circular economy (CE) measures. CE can also significantly decrease EU demand for ores and energy demand, leading to a €7 billion annual increase in the EU net trade balance with significant imports reduction from China, US, UK, and Russia. However, this may come with trade-offs such as reduced employment and gross value added, which need to be further studied. The study's findings are policy-relevant, highlighting the need for a holistic approach and policy mix to materialise CE potential and informing EU policy-makers on strategies to support the steel sector's sustainable transition.
WAGNER Aymara;
WALKER Anna;
ALBIZZATI Paola Federica;
MILIOS Leonidas;
BESLER Malte;
PEDAUGA Luis;
ROSTEK Leon;
KERAMIDAS Kimon;
PINERO MIRA Pablo;
CHRISTIS Maarten;
FONTEYN Pieter;
PETSINARIS Foivos;
ZIBELL Laurent;
TONINI Davide;
2025-09-24
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142957
978-92-68-31067-0 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40414,
OP KJ-01-25-412-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142957,
10.2760/7855491 (online),
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