The Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC) today certified the Corporate Average Steel Emissions Intensity (CASEI) base year emissions and Science-Based Emissions Targets (SBET) set by North America’s largest steel producer, Nucor. The SBET submitted by the North Carolina-based company sets an ambitious goal of reducing emissions by 2030 for its hot-rolled steel production.

“Nucor is a global leader in sustainably-produced, low carbon steel production, and they are proving that innovation and vision will drive the steel industry to meet the global community’s Net Zero by 2050 call to action. We congratulate Nucor for investing in initiatives that will see the company meet the ambitious interim and long-term targets that the GSCC has certified.” Adina Renee Adler, Executive Director, GSCC

In the company’s submission for GSCC certification, which SCS Global Services independently verified, Nucor uses a 2023 base year to set an interim SBET of 0.975 metric tons of CO₂e per metric ton of hot-rolled steel produced by 2030. Nucor further set a long-term goal of 0.116 metric tons of CO₂e per metric ton of hot-rolled steel produced by 2050. These targets were set in compliance with the GSCC Steel Climate Standard, and Nucor’s long-term target exceeds the Standard’s 2050 objective.

“These targets, and the certification provided by our partners at GSCC, further demonstrates Nucor’s leadership in providing American-made, low embodied carbon steel while also giving customers, investors, and policymakers confidence in our roadmap and strategy for achieving our carbon reduction goals.” Greg Murphy, Executive Vice President of Business Services, Sustainability and General Counsel of Nucor, a founding member-company of GSCC

Science-based emissions targets provide a pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Targets are considered “science-based” if they align with the latest climate science necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The GSCC Steel Climate Standard, adopted in August 2023 as a global standard to measure and report steel carbon emissions, also provides a framework for members to seek third-party verified certification of the emissions intensity of facility-specific products and to self-audit these emissions yearly to demonstrate continuous decarbonization progress.

With the certification of North America’s largest steel producer, GSCC adds to the growing list of steel producers committed to decarbonization through Science-Based Emissions Targets (SBET).

About Nucor

Nucor Corporation is North America’s largest recycler and steel producer with more than 300 locations. Nucor operates 26 steel mills annually processing more than 20 million tons of ferrous scrap to produce new steel and steel products that are 100% recyclable at the end of their useful life. For more than five decades, Nucor has established a circular model of steel production with a low-carbon footprint, accomplished through the recycling of scrap metal into new steel and steel products utilizing electric arc furnace technology. Committed to shaping the industry’s future, Nucor continues to invest in breakthrough technologies aimed at lowering emissions throughout the supply chain, not only enhancing the sustainability of steel production but also empowering partners to achieve their own carbon reduction goals.

About the Global Steel Climate Council

GSCC is a non-profit organization that leads efforts to reduce steel carbon emissions and encourages investments in lower-carbon emission technology as part of the global effort to decarbonize economies and societies. GSCC members are steel manufacturers, associations and other organizations in the steel supply chain that have a presence in 80+ countries around the world.

For more information, please visit GlobalSteelClimateCouncil.org.