The three core elements of the low-carbon transformation of steel:

LCA is a synergistic link in the industry chain

Covering the whole chain from mining to downstream, forcing cross-industry collaboration to reduce emissions (e.g., optimizing ore mining), and upgrading from a “compliance tool” to a “strategic compass”.

Green premiums need to be cracked in multiple dimensions

Low carbon technology increases costs by 2-3 times, breaking the ice:

High-end market: incorporate brand premium (e.g. Porsche model);

Policy regulation: carbon tax and other mechanisms to balance long-term costs;

Consumer recognition: cultivate the sense of responsibility (e.g. 60% penetration rate of organic food in Europe).

The responsibility of the industry chain must be shared.

Environmental protection needs to be integrated with carbon/water/pollution and other indicators, material innovation to address downstream pain points, curb overconsumption, and strengthen the sense of “choice is responsibility”.

Expert insights:

Finkbeiner: “LCA is a common language with customers, and environmental protection relies on value recognition rather than fear-mongering.”

Broadbent: “LCA is more important than single-point technologies.”

Hafner: “Society pays the environmental price if it doesn't pay for green.”

Ultimate logic: use LCA to open up the industrial chain, share the premium with “value + policy”, and realize systematic carbon reduction by sharing the responsibility.

Who Should Pay for the “Green Premium” in the Steel Industry?