Air

Greenhouse gases

In steelmaking, greenhouse gases result from the chemical reaction that occurs in the blast furnace reaction between coke and iron ore. The burning of diesel, fuel oil, coke oven gas and other fuel sources also contributes to greenhouse gases.

• energy efficiency
  Industry is focusing on ways to increase the efficient use of energy throughout the various phases of steelmaking. These include investments in cogeneration, more efficient equipment and systems (such new furnace technologies) and shifts in the types of fuels used. Since 1990, Canadian steel producers have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent and have reduced the amount of energy to create a tonne of steel by 25 per cent.
  
  
• steel recycling
  The industry continues to increase the amount of steel recycled each year in Canada, helping to save energy, reduce impacts on landfills and conserve raw materials, such as coal, iron ore and limestone. Since 1990, Canadian steelmakers have increased the amount of scrap steel they recycle by 26 per cent.
  
  
• new technologies
  Government and industry researchers are developing new technologies to improve coke quality, coking processes and pulverized coal injection systems for blast furnaces. These are intended to enhance industry competitiveness and provide operating and environmental benefits.
  
  
• voluntary measures
  Steelmaking companies support the use of voluntary approaches as an alternative to mandatory environmental regulations. These approaches allow industry flexibility in deciding how to achieve environmental goals, such as emission reductions and energy efficiency improvements. Individual steelmaking companies submit yearly reports on their greenhouse gas commitments and climate change actions to Canada’s Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR) Program. Canadian steelproducers are also founding members of the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC). Through this voluntary program, they collect industry-wide data on energy consumption and efficiency, and are committed to gains in energy efficiency of one per cent each year from 2000 to 2010.