What is Sustainability?

Sustainability and Sustainable Development are about ensuring a good quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations and it concerns the legacy we leave to those who follow us. The commonly used Bruntdland definition is:

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainability is a complex mix of interdependent economic, social and environmental issues. It is influenced by the actions and decisions taken by us as individuals, by communities, by organizations, by companies, by local, regional, federal and national governments and international bodies.

Manufacturing, Materials and the Environment

Selecting the most appropriate material for any application depends on a consideration of a range of economic and technological factors, such as cost, functionality and durability. Increasingly, another very important factor is the associated environmental performance.

Every manufacturing process and all the materials and products we use in our lives, at home, at work or in our leisure activities, have an influence on the environment. There is an enormous diversity of environmental issues and concerns.

Environmental Impact Categories

In order to be able to understand the complex interactions between materials, manufacturing processes, products and their use, and the environment, it is necessary to first understand the variety of environmental impacts and their causes and effects.

There are many aspects of the impacts mankind has on the environment. The experts tend to categorize the main environmental impacts as follows, each having its own causes and effects:

Global Aspects of Steel Production and Use

Traditionally, iron and steel have been produced close to local deposits of iron ore and carbon (originally forests for a source of charcoal and later coal mines). Today many of these deposits in the industrialized countries have been depleted and what is left is not economically viable. Consequently, iron ore and coal are transported around the world from their mines to the major steelmaking sites, many of which are now located on the coast of the industrialized countries. Steel scrap is also an internationally traded commodity.

The Commitment of the Steel Industry to Sustainability

Steel is and will remain the most important engineering and construction material in the modern world, even concrete would not function without its steel reinforcement. Steel is used in every aspect of our lives and progress would be impossible without it. If what we are using in the home, at work, at leisure or traveling is not made from steel, then steel would probably have been used in its manufacture.

Steel plays an essential role in meeting the challenge of sustainable development for the world in the 21st century, improving economic and social welfare, without prejudicing the ability of future generations to do the same.

The member companies of the World Steel Association are committed to sustainable development. For the world steel industry this means valuing the interdependence of environmental, social and economic aspects in all decision making.

Steel is a major foundation of a sustainable world. This is achieved by a financially sound steel industry, taking leadership in economic, social and environmental sustainability and seeking continuous improvement.

The member companies of the World Steel Association are committed to sustainable development and will:-

1.     Operate their business in an efficient and financially sustainable way in order to supply steel products and solutions that satisfy our customers and add value to stakeholders.

2.     Optimize the eco-efficiency of their products through their life cycle, including increased resource and energy efficiency in the production of steel and during the use of steel products. They are committed to the promotion of the recovery, reuse and recycling of steel.

3.     Foster the well-being of employees in the steel industry and provide them with a safe and healthy working environment.

4.     Demonstrate social responsibility by promoting values and initiatives that show respect for people and communities associated with our business.

5.     Conduct their business with high ethical standards in their dealings with employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.

6.     Engage stakeholders and independent third parties in constructive dialogue to help fulfil our sustainable development commitments.

7.     Build on their knowledge of sustainability and willingly share it with others. They will be open and active in their communications and help steel companies and organizations in the supply chain implement sustainable practices.