Which countries are prepared to green their coal-based steel industry with electricity? - Reviewing climate and energy policy as well as the implementation of renewable electricity

Global steel production is currently dependent on coal and capital-intensive facilities with long economic lifetimes. While the Paris Agreement means carbon neutrality must be reached globally by 2050–2070, negative emissions thereafter, coal-based today accounts for around 8% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Its may stabilize or even decline in industrialized countries, but it will increase significantly emerging economies. In past, focus reduction has been moderate reductions through energy efficiency measures exploring capture storage. However, as (1) cost renewable electricity declining rapidly, (2) storage not materialized yet, (3) more countries set deep emission targets, electricity- hydrogen-based steelmaking gathered substantial momentum over past half-decade. Given short time frame sector's lock-in, there an urgent need to understand national climate policy well current implementation low-CO2 that would enable a shift from electricity-based steelmaking. this paper, we first identify are likely major producers future thus CO2-emitters. Then map medium- long-term targets share country. Based these data, develop indicators readiness steel-producing sustainable transition. Our findings show although binding being implemented, medium-term do yet affect based production. Overall, industry seems track though differences between producing large. Common shortcomings across lack access demanding targets. The paper ends recommendations how low-carbon transition line Agreement.