Scrap endowment and inequalities in global steel decarbonization

Watari, T; Giurco, D; Cullen, J

Scrap endowment and inequalities in global steel decarbonization

Watari, T Giurco, D

Cullen, J

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 425
Issue Date:: 2023-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Watari, T
dc.contributor.author	Giurco, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1707-9531
dc.contributor.author	Cullen, J
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-04T23:30:35Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-04T23:30:35Z
dc.date.issued	2023-11-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 425
dc.identifier.issn	0959-6526
dc.identifier.issn	1879-1786
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174019
dc.description.abstract	Scrap steel recycling, powered by emission-free electricity, can produce nearly zero-emission steel at a lower cost than alternative primary production. However, the feasibility of this production method depends on future scrap availability. This study highlights the unequal distribution of future scrap availability worldwide, with the Global North having abundant scrap, while the Global South faces impending scarcity unless scrap is imported. By 2050, the European Union, North America, and developed Asia and Oceania could hold stocks of end-of-life scrap that are equal to their entire steel demand, if they chose to do so. China could also have domestic end-of-life scrap equivalent to about half of its cumulative demand. Conversely, developing countries, such as India and states in Africa, are expected to have severely limited domestic end-of-life scrap, representing less than 5% of their cumulative demand without international trade. This disparity, referred to as “scrap endowment”, is a consequence of the Global North's historical carbon emissions. The scrap endowment enables the Global North to produce zero-emission steel at a relatively low cost, while the Global South grapples with limited, more costly options. These findings imply the need for equity-focused mechanisms to assist the Global South if both hemispheres are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, or soon thereafter.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Cleaner Production
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139041
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0907 Environmental Engineering, 0910 Manufacturing Engineering, 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.subject.classification	33 Built environment and design
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.title	Scrap endowment and inequalities in global steel decarbonization
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	425
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
utslib.for	0910 Manufacturing Engineering
utslib.for	0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-04T23:30:34Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	425

Abstract:

Scrap steel recycling, powered by emission-free electricity, can produce nearly zero-emission steel at a lower cost than alternative primary production. However, the feasibility of this production method depends on future scrap availability. This study highlights the unequal distribution of future scrap availability worldwide, with the Global North having abundant scrap, while the Global South faces impending scarcity unless scrap is imported. By 2050, the European Union, North America, and developed Asia and Oceania could hold stocks of end-of-life scrap that are equal to their entire steel demand, if they chose to do so. China could also have domestic end-of-life scrap equivalent to about half of its cumulative demand. Conversely, developing countries, such as India and states in Africa, are expected to have severely limited domestic end-of-life scrap, representing less than 5% of their cumulative demand without international trade. This disparity, referred to as “scrap endowment”, is a consequence of the Global North's historical carbon emissions. The scrap endowment enables the Global North to produce zero-emission steel at a relatively low cost, while the Global South grapples with limited, more costly options. These findings imply the need for equity-focused mechanisms to assist the Global South if both hemispheres are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, or soon thereafter.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174019