At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ResponsibleSteel announced partnerships with Europe’s Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) and China’s Low-carbon Emission Steel Standard (C2F Steel), aiming to improve global consistency in carbon standards for the steel industry. The agreements extend a common approach to greenhouse gas measurement and classification to roughly 60% of global steel production.

The partnerships link major producers, consumers, and innovators across the steel value chain under interoperable definitions of low-emission and near-zero steel. According to ResponsibleSteel, this alignment supports investment, green procurement, technology exchange, and wider international cooperation in sustainable steelmaking.

The agreements were signed with the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and the Brussels-based LESS organisation, whose combined membership represents about 60% of world steel output. With steel accounting for 7-9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the agreements aim to strengthen efforts to expand trade and investment in decarbonised steel.