ASI led the steel industry’s drive to achieve sustainable steel over the last 12 months. Key sustainability initiatives undertaken by the ASI in 2024-2025 included:
- Following several submissions to the Federal Senate Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling, ASI called for regulatory controls on the export of unprocessed steel scrap. The ASI position was adopted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in its submission to the Federal Government green metals consultation process.
- ASI co-signed a coordinated statement with Ai Group to the Federal Government on the need for climate and energy policy certainty.
- ASI chief executive Mark Cain appointed to the Federal Government’s Green Metals Advisory Panel, a seven-member body providing strategic advice to government on opportunities for a sustainable green metals industry. The panel is a commitment under the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda to support investment in green metals and help the industry decarbonise iron, steel, and aluminium.
- ASI lodged a submission to the Federal Government’s Green Metals consultation process.
- ASI contributed with BlueScope, Liberty GFG, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) team, and 70 others to the OECD Green Iron Project: Australia Case Study project. The OECD team visited Australia on 25 November 2024.
- ASI presented to international forum the Climate Club on Inhibitors and Opportunities to Standardisation of GHGe Intensity Measurement. The ASI was the only one of the 39 represented nations invited to speak on the issue.
- ASI met with the Federal Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and Treasury, in July 2024 to discuss the major inhibitors, barriers and opportunities for Australia in low emissions steel.
- ASI lodged a second submission to the Climate Change Authority’s carbon leakage review.
- ASI responded to questions raised by the Climate Change Authority on energy use in downstream steelmaking processes.
- ASI welcomed sustainability targets on the Victorian Northeast Link Eastern Freeway Extension and M80 Ring Road completion projects. As presented at a Steel Industry Forum in October 2024, these targets required 40% to 60% of steel volume to be sourced from accredited suppliers with Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) certification to L1/SSA verified mills.
- ASI committed to common international approaches, practices and aligned standards for measuring GHGe under the World Steel Association Steel Standards Principles for Common International Practices in Measuring GHGe.
- ASI continued its role in chairing the Australian Steel Stewardship Forum (ASSF), which includes representatives from BlueScope, InfraBuild, SRIA, NASH and GAA. ASSF achieved good wins on developing policy for embodied carbon in structures.
- ASI has been working on educational tools, seminars and references for total life cycle assessment of steel in structures, including Module D elements.
- ASI invited to the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) working group to develop policy for embodied carbon in buildings.
- ASI invited to a panel to discuss decarbonisation at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business summit in Canberra.
