Sustainability - Environmental - Greenhouse Gas Emissions - www.ussteel.com
Environment
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is key to becoming a sustainable steel producer.
Steel production is a carbon-intensive process, so U. S. Steel is always looking for ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Approximately 70-80% of the CO2 emissions from integrated steelmaking are associated with the use of coke and coal to melt iron in the blast furnace. Steel can also be produced with a significantly smaller carbon footprint by melting recycled steel scrap using electricity in an electric arc furnace (EAF).
U. S. Steel is both a historic innovator and leader in the energy-efficient production of steel. Through our Best for All Strategy, we are continuing down the carbon curve toward sustainable net-zero steel production. We recognize the synergies between the integrated and EAF-based process routes that will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint and optimize operations.
We are working to achieve a 20% reduction in GHG emissions intensity (Scope 1 plus Scope 2) by 2030, measuring against a 2018 baseline. We are committed to annual public reporting on progress against these goals, as well as measures being implemented to achieve them.
In 2021, we announced an even more aggressive goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Read more about our goal in our 2021 Sustainability Report.
We are working to achieve this goal by:
- Helping our customers and consumers reduce their carbon footprints with our products like XG3™ steel and verdeX® steel
- Taking advantage of the high availability of ferrous scrap in the United States and the growing availability of low- and no-carbon electricity
- Partnering with organizations and universities to further reduce the carbon intensity of both the integrated and EAF-based process routes
As we move full speed ahead toward reaching this target, we are focusing on process optimization as well as on the incorporation of EAFs into our footprint. Our greenhouse gas emission target reflects our continued commitment to improvement in production efficiency and the manufacture of products that are environmentally friendly.
GreenHouse Gas Emissions
2030 Goal
-20%
We have set a goal to reduce our
GHG emissions intensity by 20% by
2030 based on 2018 baseline
levels.
GreenHouse Gas Emissions
2050 Goal
NET-ZERO
We have set an ambitious goal
targeting net-zero carbon emissions
by 2050.
2021 TOTAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

The graphs below show the absolute and intensity based GHG emissions for U. S. Steel wholly owned facilities for 2015-2020. The results are separated by Scope 1, Scope 2, and total GHG emissions for North America, Europe and Total Global Operations. Absolute measurements are presented as metric tons of CO2e, while intensity measurements are metric tons of CO2e per metric ton of raw steel produced. Note: The emissions from Big River Steel are not included within these numbers because that acquisition didn’t occur until January 2021.
Spotlight: GHG Emissions Reduction Projects
EDGAR THOMSON PLANT
POWER GENERATION
EQUIPMENT REFURBISHMENT
Our Edgar Thomson Plant completed refurbishment and replacement of power generation equipment that increased the facility’s electricity generation by approximately 170,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2019. This enables the plant to recycle more of the gases it generates during the steelmaking process, which reduces flaring and greenhouse gas emissions.
U. S. STEEL KOŠICE
BLAST FURNACE
RAW MATERIAL RANKING
U. S. Steel Košice completed the installation of a computer model that ranks the blast furnace charge materials in order of emission potential. This allows operations to be adjusted to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted. This ranking program has reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 69,000 tonnes annually.
2021 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS SUMMARY






Environmental Areas of Focus
U. S. Steel’s current environmental areas of focus align with the results of our ESG Materiality Assessment.