1
Sustainability Indicators 
2022 report
Sustainability performance 
of the steel industry
2003-2021
December 2022

2
Introduction
worldsteel members have been providing data for 
the eight Sustainability Indicators every year since 
2004, spending significant resources to measure their 
performance and collect the accompanying data.
The eight indicators are aligned with the principles outlined 
in our Sustainability Charter by systematically measuring key 
aspects of the industry’s economic, environmental and social 
performance.
Sustainability reporting at a global level is one of the 
major efforts the steel industry undertakes to manage its 
performance, demonstrate its commitment to sustainability 
and enhance transparency. 
Our Sustainability Indicators inform stakeholders about the 
steel industry’s performance; they aim to show progress in 
fulfilling our sustainability commitments and demonstrate 
improved performance trends across the industry over time. 
Institutional investors and investment funds increasingly use 
sustainability indicators to develop high-level evaluations 
of industry groups and can factor them into NGOs and 
regulators’ decision-making processes.
INDICATORS*
UNIT
2019
2020
2021
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
1.
CO2 emissions intensity
tonnes CO2 per tonne crude steel cast
1.85
1.89
1.91**
2.
Energy intensity
GJ per tonne crude steel cast
20.08
20.70
21.31**
3.
Material efficiency
% 
97.49
97.86
97.34
4.
Environmental management system
% 
97.16
96.13
95.50
SOCIAL PERFORMANCE
5.
Lost time injury frequency rate
injuries per million hours worked
0.83
0.85
0.81
6.
Employee training
training days per employee
6.90
7.15
6.71
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
7.
Investment in new processes and products
% 
7.09
8.03
6.41
8.
Economic value distributed
% 
98.27
97.77
93.83
In 2022, 104 steel companies and associations contributed to 
the data collection. Crude steel produced by companies that 
reported on one or more Indicators for the fiscal year 2021 
was 1.1 billion tonnes, representing 56% of global crude steel 
production. 83 organisations voluntarily provided data for one 
or more of the eight indicators, 33 of which provided data for 
all eight.
Our Sustainability 
Indicators aim to show 
progress in fulfilling 
our sustainability 
commitments.
.
* For details on the calculation methodology for each of these indicators, please refer to page 7 of this report
** For details on indicators 1 and 2, please refer to page 3 of this report

3
CO2 emissions and energy intensity
Since 2007, worldsteel has published a single annual global CO2 emissions intensity together with an energy intensity metric. 
These numbers are weighted based on the % split between the Blast Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) and scrap-based 
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) global steel production routes.
 
As of this year’s publication, for the 2021 data onwards, this global average value for both intensities now also incorporates 
a contribution from Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)-based EAF steel production, given its rising importance as a key steel making 
process. 
The slight increase in the reported figures is largely explained by this adjustment in the methodology and does not represent an 
increase in the global trend of CO2 emissions and energy intensity, both remain largely stable.
We consider that this new approach to calculating the global metric more accurately reflects global steel production today and in 
the future. Both the CO2 emissions and energy intensity for previous years have not been recalculated to reflect this change.
Further information on the worldsteel CO2 data collection methodology (including scope, boundaries and emission factors) can 
be found here: Climate Action data collection - worldsteel.org.
CO2 emission intensity by production route
Energy intensity by production route
tonnes CO2 per tonne of crude steel cast
GJ per tonne of crude steel cast
Global average
1.91
21.31
BF-BOF
2.32
24.43
Scrap-EAF
0.67
10.04
DRI-EAF*
1.65
25.29
Global  
energy       
intensity
BF-BOF     
 
Energy 
intensity
Share of  
BOF steel 
in global 
production
x
24.43
71%
Scrap-EAF    
Energy 
intensity
Share of  
scrap-EAF-steel 
 in global 
production
x
10.04
22%
DRI-EAF   
 
Energy 
intensity
Share of  
DRI-EAF steel 
in global 
production
x
25.29
7%
Global  
CO2 	
     
emissions
intensity
BF-BOF      
 
CO2 intensity
Share of  
BOF steel 
in global 
production
x
71%
2.32
Scrap-EAF      
 
CO2 intensity
Share of  
scrap-EAF steel 
 in global 
production
x
22%
0.67
DRI-EAF      
 
CO2 intensity
Share of  
DRI-EAF steel 
in global 
production
x
7%
1.65
=
=
+
+
+
+
2021 data
2021 CO2 emissions and energy intensity
Calculation approach for Global CO2 emissions intensity, 2021
Calculation approach for Energy intensity, 2021
* Data concerning global crude steel production using DRI is not currently collected, the denominator in this calculation is 
therefore calculated by the worldsteel data management team based on information contained in worldsteel’s collective 
databases.

4
 
Indicators performance 2003 - 2021
Environmental performance
Social performance
Economic performance
CO2 
emissions 
intensity
Energy 
intensity
Material 
efficiency
Environment
management
system 
Lost time
injury 
frequency
rate 
Employee 
training
Investment 
in new 
processes 
and products
Economic 
value 
distributed
(tonnes CO2/
tonne crude steel 
cast)
(GJ/tonne crude 
steel cast)
(% of solid & 
liquid materials 
converted to 
products & co-
products)
(% of employees 
& contractors 
working in 
EMS-registered 
production 
facilities)
(injuries/million 
hours worked)
(training days/
employee)
(% of revenue)
(% of revenue)
2021
1.91
21.31
97.34
95.50
0.81
6.71
6.41
93.83
2020
1.89
20.70
97.86
96.13
0.85
7.15
8.03
97.77
2019
1.85
20.08
97.49
97.16
0.83
6.90
7.09
98.27
2018
1.81
19.51
96.33
97.07
0.84
6.48
6.12
94.18
2017
1.83
19.93
96.49
96.49
0.97
6.26
5.79
95.43
2016
1.87
20.32
97.64
96.85
1.01
7.11
7.71
96.64
2015
1.87
20.25
97.36
93.59
1.17
6.75
8.22
100.09
2014
1.80
19.76
97.47
94.05
1.39
6.27
7.32
96.31
2013
1.82
20.08
98.00
90.18
1.60
7.80
8.53
96.83
2012
1.75
19.63
96.48
89.53
1.45
7.88
10.05
99.77
2011
1.76
19.81
96.11
89.93
1.91
7.74
8.28
95.65
2010
1.80
20.13
97.48
87.60
2.29
6.95
8.80
93.46
2009
1.81
20.49
97.94
88.89
2.46
8.47
10.22
90.52
2008
1.79
20.13
98.03
86.62
3.09
8.02
8.24
78.30
2007
1.80
20.10
97.94
85.07
4.44
11.10
7.76
78.18
2006
96.49
84.78
4.55
10.52
7.90
2005
96.96
82.69
4.15
12.28
6.91
2004
96.78
92.40
4.81
11.62
6.96
2003
96.09
90.92
7.46
6.37
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Notes:	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Indicators 1 and 2: CO2  emissions intensity and Energy intensity are calculated with the worldsteel CO2 Data Collection methodology, which 
includes all scopes (1, 2, and some scope 3). The two intensities represent weighted averages between Blast Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-
BOF), scrap-based Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)-based EAF steel production.
Indicator 3: Only solid and liquid residues are included in this calculation, and process gases are not included.	
	
	
Indicator 5: Lost time injury frequency rate includes fatalities and is calculated based on figures including contractors and employees. 
Indicator 6: Employee training includes production and non-production facilities.	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Indicator 7: Investment in new processes and products includes capital expenditure and R&D investment.

2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
4.  Environmental management system
84.00
86.00
88.00
90.00
92.00
94.00
96.00
98.00
% 
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
95.0
95.5
96.0
96.5
97.0
97.5
98.0
98.5
3.  Material eﬃciency
% 
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
18.50
19.00
19.50
20.00
20.50
21.00
21.50
2.  Energy intensity
GJ per tonne crude steel
1.65
1.70
1.75
1.80
1.85
1.90
1.95
2.00
2012 2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
1. CO2 emissions intensity
tonnes CO2 per tonne 
        crude steel
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
8.  Economic value distributed
90.00
91.00
92.00
93.00
94.00
95.00
96.00
97.00
98.00
99.00
100.00
101.00
% 
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
7.  Investment in new processes and products
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
% 
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
6.  Employee training
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
training days per employee
2012
2013
2014
2015 2016
2017
2018 2019
2020
2021
5.  Lost time injury frequency rate
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
injuries per million
    hours worked
Indicators trends 2012 - 2021
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Notes:	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
Indicators 1, 2 and 5: A descending curve demonstrates sustainability progress.
Indicators 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8: An ascending curve demonstrates sustainability progress.	
	
	
	
	
5

6
Contributing organisations - 2022 data collection
83 steel companies and associations listed below provided data for one or more of the 8 indicators.  
33 companies (*) provided data for all 8 indicators.
1.	
Acciaierie Bertoli Safau S.p.A.*
2.	
ACERINOX S.A.*
3.	
Aceros AZA S.A.*
4.	
Aço Verde do Brasil (AVB)*
5.	
Aichi Steel Corporation
6.	
ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel India
7.	
Ansteel Group Corporation
8.	
Aperam*
9.	
ArcelorMittal*
10.	 Badische Stahlwerke GmbH
11.	 Bangladesh Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited
12.	 BlueScope Steel Limited*
13.	 Böllinghaus GmbH & Co. KG 
14.	 CELSA Group*
15.	 China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited
16.	 China Steel Corporation (CSC)
17.	 CITIC PACIFIC Special Steel Group Co., Ltd
18.	 Cogne Acciai Speciali Spa*
19.	 Çolakoğlu Metalurji A.Ş.
20.	 Compania Siderurgica Huachipato S.A. (CAP ACERO)
21.	 Daido Steel Co., Ltd.
22.	 Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Specialty Steel GmbH & Co. KG.
23.	 Diler Iron and Steel Co., Inc.
24.	 Dragon Steel Corporation
25.	 Duferco S.A.
26.	 El Marakby Steel
27.	 Emirates Steel Industries Company PJC*
28.	 Eregli Demir ve Çelik Fabrikalari TAS (Eregli Iron and Steel 
Works, Co.)
29.	 Evraz Group
30.	 EZZ Steel*
31.	 Feng Hsin Steel Co., Ltd.*
32.	 Gerdau S.A.*
33.	 HBIS Group Co., Ltd.
34.	 HYUNDAI BNG STEEL Company Ltd.
35.	 HYUNDAI Steel Company*
36.	 IMIDRO
37.	 Japan Stainless Steel Association (JSSA)
38.	 JFE Steel Corporation*
39.	 Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL)
40.	 JSW Steel Limited*
41.	 Kaptan Demir Celik Endustrisi Ve Ticaret A.S.
42.	 Kobe Steel, Ltd*
43.	 Kroman Çelik Sanayii A.Ş.
44.	 Liberty Speciality Steel (GFG Alliance)*
45.	 Liberty Steel Australia (GFG Alliance)*
46.	 Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works
47.	 Metalloinvest Management Company
48.	 Metinvest Holding LLC
49.	 NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd*
50.	 Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd.
51.	 Nippon Steel Corporation*
52.	 Nippon Steel Stainless Steel Corporation (NSSSC)
53.	 Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
54.	 North American Stainless (NAS)
55.	 Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK Group)
56.	 Nucor Corporation*
57.	 Ovako AB
58.	 POSCO*
59.	 PT Gunung Raja Paksi Tbk
60.	 Qatar Steel Company (Q.P.S.C.)*
61.	 Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (VIZAG Steel)
62.	 SABIC-Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (HADEED)*
63.	 Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited (SSI)
64.	 Severstal (PAO)
65.	 Siam Yamato Steel Company Corporation (SYS)
66.	 Sidenor S.A.
67.	 SIJ (Slovenian Steel Group)
68.	 Stahlbeteiligungen Holding S.A.
69.	 Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL)*
70.	 SULB Company
71.	 Tang Eng Iron Works Co. Ltd. , Taiwan
72.	 Tata Steel*
73.	 Tenaris*
74.	 Ternium*
75.	 The Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF)
76.	 TMK PAO
77.	 TŘINECKÉ ŽELEZÁRNY, a.s
78.	 Tung Ho Steel Enterprise Corporation*
79.	 UGITECH SA
80.	 United States Steel Corporation*
81.	 Usinas Siderúrgicas de Minas Gerais S.A. (USIMINAS)*
82.	 Vallourec
83.	 voestalpine AG*
Publicly available data was used for the 21 
companies below:
1.	
Anyang Steel
2.	
Benxi
3.	
Baotou Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd
4.	
Fangda Steel
5.	
Formosa Ha Tinh
6.	
Hoa Phat
7.	
Jiangsu Shagang Group Co., Ltd.
8.	
Jinxi steel
9.	
Jiuquan steel
10.	 Krakatau Steel 
11.	 Lingyuan steel
12.	 Liuzhou Steel
13.	 Nanjing Steel
14.	 Outokumpu Oyj
15.	 Salzgitter AG Stahl und Technologie, Germany
16.	 Sanming Steel
17.	 Shandong
18.	 SSAB AB
19.	 thyssenkrupp A.G.
20.	 Valin Group
21.	 Xinyu Steel

7
Environmental performance
INDICATOR
DEFINITION
CALCULATION
1.
CO2 emissions 
intensity
This indicator calculates tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne 
crude steel production as cast. It is calculated with the 
worldsteel CO2 Data Collection methodology, which includes 
all scopes (1, 2, and some scope 3). Global CO2 emissions 
intensity represents a weighted average between Blast 
Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF), scrap-based Electric 
Arc Furnace (EAF) and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)-based EAF 
steel production.
Tonnes of CO2 emitted / tonnes of crude 
steel cast
2.
Energy intensity
This indicator measures the energy used to process the crude 
steel volume in GJ per tonne crude steel production as cast. 
Global Energy intensity represents weighted average between 
Blast Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF), scrap-based 
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)-based 
EAF steel production.
GJ of energy used / tonnes of crude steel 
cast
3.
Material efficiency
This indicator calculates the percentage of crude steel and 
co-products (by-products) compared to total solid and liquid 
output material (i.e. crude steel, co-products and waste 
landfilled or incinerated). Process gases are not included in 
the calculation.
(crude steel + co-products) / (crude steel 
+ co-products + waste)
4.
Environmental 
management 
system
This indicator measures the percentage of employees and 
contractors working in environment management system-
registered steel production facilities.
Number of employees and contractors 
working in registered production 
facilities / total number of employees 
and contractors working in production 
facilities
Social performance
INDICATOR
DEFINITION
CALCULATION
5.
Lost time injury 
frequency rate
This indicator measures the number of Lost time injuries per 
million man-hours, including fatalities.
(lost-time injuries + fatalities) / million 
hours worked
6.
Employee training
This indicator measures the total days of training per 
employee per year. 
Total days of training / total number of 
employees
Definitions and calculation 
Economic performance
INDICATOR
DEFINITION
CALCULATION
7.
Investment in new 
processes and 
products
This indicator measures the value of investments made on 
capital expenditure, and research and development.
Capital expenditure + Research & 
Development expenditure) / annual 
revenue (consolidated)
8.
Economic value 
distributed
This indicator measures the economic value distributed to 
society by the steel industry, including direct and indirect 
contributions.
(Operating costs + Employee wages and 
benefits + Dividends paid + Interest 
payments + Payments to government 
+ Community investments) / annual 
revenue (consolidated)

8
Environmental performance
INDICATOR
RELEVANCE
SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES
RELEVANT UN SDG*
1.
CO2 emissions 
intensity
To achieve the significant 
CO2 emissions reductions 
needed, an entirely new, 
transformative approach 
to iron & steel making is 
required. Several promising 
approaches to reduce CO2 
emissions at an industrial 
scale are being explored.
Climate 
action
Proactively address climate 
change and take effective 
actions to minimise the 
industry’s GHG emissions.
7. Affordable & clean energy
13. Climate Action
2.
Energy intensity
Steel production remains 
energy-intensive. The 
steel industry is focusing 
on increasing the energy 
efficiency of its operations 
and the proportion of low-
carbon resources used. 
3.
Material efficiency
The recovery and use of co-
products within and outside 
the steel industry combined 
with the responsible 
management of natural 
resources contribute to 
material efficiency and a  
circular economy.
Circular 
economy
Maximise the efficient use 
of resources throughout 
the life cycle of steel 
products and support 
society to achieve a 
circular economy.
12. Responsible consumption & 
production
4.
Environmental 
management 
system
Registered environmental 
management systems are 
an effective way to manage 
environmental performance 
and to ensure legal 
compliance.
Conduct operations 
in an environmentally 
responsible manner.
3. Good health & well-being
6. Clean water & sanitation
11. Sustainable cities & 
communities
12. Responsible consumption & 
production
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
Social performance
INDICATOR
DEFINITION
SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES
RELEVANT UN SDG*
5.
Lost time injury 
frequency rate 
All injuries and work-related 
illness can and must be 
prevented. Measuring safety 
performance is one aspect of 
acheveing good safety and 
health standards.
Safety and 
health
Maintain a safe and 
healthy workplace and 
act on health and safety 
incidents, risks and 
opportunities.
3. Good health & well-being
8. Decent work & economic 
growth
6.
Employee training
Human capital is a key 
asset for all organisations 
and a main driver for the 
creation of value. Training 
programmes aim to expand 
the knowledge and skills of 
employees and help them to 
make the best use of their 
talents.
Our people
Enable our people to 
realise their potential while 
providing them with an 
inclusive and fair working 
environment.
4. Quality education
8. Decent work & economic 
growth
 
  
Relevance and Sustainability Principles 
Economic performance
INDICATOR
DEFINITION
SUSTAINABILITY PRINCIPLES
RELEVANT UN SDG*
7.
Investment in new 
processes and 
products
Investments in new processes 
and R&D contribute to a 
sustainable steel industry.
Innovation 
and prosperity
Pursue innovations for 
technologies and products 
to achieve sustainable 
economic development.
1. No poverty
8. Decent work & economic 
growth
9. Industry, Innovation & 
infrastructure
8.
Economic value 
distributed 
Steel is critical to economic 
growth. It is important to 
quantify the value companies 
create and to establish 
how much of this wealth is 
distributed to society.
Environmental 
care
* United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

9
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