In a report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, steel has always been a major carbon emitter, accounting for about 6% to 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce the carbon footprint of the steel industry, steelmakers are constantly experimenting with ways to reduce emissions, including the "clean" steel mills.

Environmentalists say that the meaning of "scenic steelmaking" is not limited to the country, but also represents the potential of the green steel industry, which is one of the world's most important sources of carbon emissions. "This (green steelmaking) has broad implications for the future of the energy-intensive steel industry," said Margaret Hansbrough, an expert on the environmental group MightyEarth.

"Extraordinary Earth" pointed out in a report that the steel sector accounts for about 7% of global carbon emissions, most of which come from the less efficient blast furnaces. At present, 68% of steel in the United States uses more efficient electric arc furnace technology, but this technology has a huge demand for electricity, and if converted to clean electricity can produce significant climate benefits.

"The use of clean electricity in steel production is good for both the business and the climate." Margaret Hansbrough admits, "while cutting steelmaking costs and reducing the carbon footprint, it also lays the foundation for the sustainable development of the steel industry."

It is understood that the US's largest steel company, US Steel (USS), set its latest emission reduction target in November, aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030. In addition, the World Steel Association, which represents more than 80% of global steel production, has also launched a "StepUp program" to transition to a carbon-neutral steel economy, including switching to hydrogen-containing fuels.

Thomas KochBlank, senior analyst at the Rocky Mountain Institute, points out that sustainable technologies such as hydrogen-based steelmaking will significantly reduce carbon emissions from the steel industry. "If we can't decarbonize steelmaking, the steel industry will still contribute 5% of carbon emissions."