Reports

GHG Accounting for Low-emissions Branded Steel and Aluminum Products

Biberman, John Erik H.; Toledano, Perrine; Zhou, Chloe

Iron, steel, and aluminum products are major sources of GHG emissions, and these emissions have traditionally been hard to abate. As of 2020, the iron and steel and the aluminum industries accounted for 7% and 3% of global GHG emissions respectively. In recent years, demand has increased substantially for “green” iron, steel, and aluminum products which can allow purchasing companies to reduce their reported upstream scope 3 GHG emissions. In response to increased demand, companies in these industries have made an expanding array of green products available to customers.

“GHG Accounting for Low-emissions Branded Steel and Aluminum Products,” draws from an original analysis of over a dozen steel and aluminum low carbon brands and argues that while green-branded products can play a role in incentivizing and supporting the expansion of green procurement, they exist in a market that lacks the transparent, harmonized system for emissions accounting necessary to drive broad-based emissions reductions in the materials sector. This paper provides concrete steps to achieving a transparent and cohesive green market for low-emissions branded steel and aluminum products.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Publisher
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Published Here
November 8, 2023