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A step forward in Dunkirk — but far from deep transformation once promised
The Hague, Tuesday, 6 February 2026 – After a series of delays, SteelWatch cautiously welcomes ArcelorMittal’s announcement of a EUR 1.3 billion investment in the construction of a two million tonne capacity electric arc furnace (EAF) at Dunkirk, France, and retirement of one of two blast furnaces around 2030.
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Steel decarbonisation in 2025: stagnant but far from static
The transition of the global steel industry to near-zero emissions production made little progress in 2025. This year was defined not by decisive movement toward steel decarbonisation, but by the dominance of tariffs, cost pressures, uncertainty over policy incentives, and politicisation of steel within national security debates.
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Tracking the steelmaker transformation
Steel production is a major driver of the worsening climate crisis, but it is ironic that the largest challenge steelmakers face – transforming production to be near-zero emissions – is one so badly tracked. We’re fixing that.
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We challenge the global steel industry to urgently deliver its fair contribution to a livable planet and support civil society to hold the sector accountable.
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By challenging company behaviour we seek to influence specific corporate decisions.
Challenge complacency and drive action across the steel sector
We expose problems of steelmaking to drive urgency and overturn the narrative that current action is enough.
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Change requires multiple actors to be stronger and aligned. Strengthening the impact of other civil society actors is woven into how we achieve our public roles.
Latest Commentary
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The transition of the global steel industry to near-zero emissions production made little progress in 2025. This year was defined not by decisive movement toward steel decarbonisation, but by the dominance of tariffs, cost pressures, uncertainty over policy incentives, and politicisation of steel within national security debates.
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The steel sector is a major driver of climate change, and while many companies talk up plans to cut carbon emissions, tracking decarbonisation and other…
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In every major transition, there are actors on both sides. The European Union’s phase-out of free allowances under the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the…
Latest Reports
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Nippon Steel Corporation is now at a major turning point. Despite being based in resource-poor Japan, the company has grown to become the world's fourth largest steelmaker, and is now expanding its business to North America, India, Europe, and Australia. However, the "blast furnace-centered" and "domestic-centered" policies that underlie the company's corporate strategy remain strong.
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Up until 2024, ArcelorMittal consistently positioned itself as a leader in decarbonising the global steel industry. With the ArcelorMittal Corporate Climate Assessment 2024, published in May 2024, SteelWatch challenged that narrative, exposing the stark gap between its rhetoric and its actions — and called on ArcelorMittal to step up and lead real transformation.
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With its “Super COURSE50” technology brand, Nippon Steel claims to use hydrogen injection and carbon capture to reduce climate-harming emissions from its steel plants.
