UK steel producers and suppliers need support to make the essential move to a low-carbon industry during the coming years – and there is no good reason for the government to delay access to that support.
In August 2019, the UK government announced plans for a Clean Steel Fund to tackle challenges including high energy prices and deciding which decarbonisation technologies the sector should use.
But a summary of responses to the government’s consultation was only published in December 2020, some 15 months after the initial announcement, and any funding will currently not be made available until at least 2023.
This is simply too long for the sector to wait. UK steel suppliers and producers have been hit by unprecedented obstacles since 2019, including Brexit and the Coronavirus pandemic. Help is needed, and it is needed now.
A green recovery post-pandemic
The trade union Community represents iron and steelworkers, along with textiles and footwear workers and several other groups who have joined the union since its creation in 2004.
In evidence submitted to the government’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee in late 2020, the union’s Anna Mowbray and Kate Dearden called for a prioritisation of environmental issues post-pandemic.
They explained: “Britain has a strong steel industry which can support a green recovery to this crisis.”
In terms of financing a green recovery post-pandemic, they added: “The government should bring forward the funding for transition to green steel through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and Clean Steel Fund.”
By doing so, they argued that the government could use low-carbon UK steel to underpin broader green supply chains and position the country as the world leader in production of low-carbon steel.
How are UK steel suppliers helping go green?
The government’s mooted financial support is needed as soon as possible. But in the meantime, UK steel suppliers are working hard to green the sector.
Recycled steel and second-hand steel both remove substantial amounts of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from steel manufacture, and ongoing efforts have increased the amount of waste steel that is recovered for recycling.
Until the government steps up to provide the promised support for an industry-wide move towards clean steel, it is the initiative and ingenuity of individual UK steel suppliers and producers that is helping to cut carbon and ensure sustainable production for the post-pandemic recovery period.
Dunkerley Steels make great efforts to ensure our steel leaves as reduced an impact upon the environment as possible and if you wish to discuss our steel products please contact us here and we will be happy to help.
