As of 2023, about 2 billion tons of steel will be produced annually, enough to cover Manhattan in a layer more than 13 feet thick.
Making this metal generates large amounts of carbon dioxide. Overall, steel manufacturing accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of the largest sources of emissions from industry, far exceeding sources such as aviation.
A small number of groups and companies are currently making serious efforts to develop low- or zero-emission steel. Among them, the Swedish company Stegra stands out. The startup is currently building the world’s first industrial-scale plant to produce green steel. But will it be able to fulfill that promise? Please read the full text.
—Douglas Main
Green steel is one of MIT Technology Review’s 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025, an annual list of emerging technologies. Check out the rest of the list and vote for your honorable 11th breakthrough.
2025 will be a big year for climate technology
—Casey Crownhart
I love the fresh start that comes with a new year. And one of the things that makes my January even more exciting is my updated list of 10 breakthrough technologies.
As I was looking through the list I completed this week, I noticed something. There are some entries from other fields that are three or even five years away, but all climate items are either newly commercialized or soon to be commercialized. This is certainly appropriate, especially since this year seems to bring new urgency to the fight against climate change. The time has come for these technologies to grow and become widespread. Please read the full text.
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