Sustainability
SUSTAINABLE STEEL
Sustainability, or sustainable development, is aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It encompasses environmental, economic and social dimensions, as well as the concept of stewardship, the responsible management of resource use.
Steel products help to meet society’s needs and as producers of steel, it is our responsibility to meet the demand for steel in a safe, sustainable way. With companies all across the world, we are faced with a broad range of challenges, and we are committed to taking action, individually and together as an industry, in addressing them.
In this section of our website, we provide readers with an overview of the actions we are taking to address these challenges on many different fronts. We also continue to report on our sustainability indicator performance and progress in fulfilling the commitments outlined in our sustainable development policy.
Steel and society
There are thousands of different types of steels. They have evolved to support housing, food supply, transport and energy delivery solutions. Steel meets challenges posed by climate change, poverty, population growth, water distribution and energy. Almost everything that we use is either made from, or manufactured with, steel. It is a uniquely versatile material.
The steel industry is committed to maximising the contribution of steel over product life cycles, especially in the use phase. This is done, for example, by providing lighter, safer, long-lasting and more intelligent structures for transport and construction. We also continue to work with designers to create products that are easy to reuse and recycle at the end of their life, to maximise steel recycling.
Steel is the most recycled material in the world and its recyclability is one of its most valuable properties, saving precious raw materials and significant energy for future generations.
- Sustainable development policy
worldsteel member companies are committed to a vision where steel is valued as a major foundation of a sustainable world. This is achieved by a financially-sound industry that takes leadership in environmental, social and economic sustainability. - Sustainability indicators
Consult the table of eight sustainability indicators used to track industry performance and the methodology used to calculate them. - Environmental sustainability
Efficient use of raw materials, re-use and recycling are high on the public agenda. For the steel industry, water management, the impact of steel during the entire life cycle of products, and the use of by-products are related important focus areas. - Social sustainability
Read more about the industry's approach to safety and health, employment, training and investing in communities. - Economic sustainability
Over time, the steel industry's focus has shifted from growth in the volume of steel in use to the added value of the product over its life cycle. - Company case studies
These member company case studies highlight actions taken by worldsteel member companies to address sustainable challenges. - Members' sustainability reports
Links to worldsteel member companies' sustainability and corporate responsibility reports. - Stakeholder survey
For a better understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability issues related to steel and the steel industry.
