On 18 April, LeadIT is co-hosting a workshop to discuss challenges and opportunities to decarbonize South Africa´s iron and steel value chain together with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic) in South Africa and Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS).
The workshop will bring together more than 40 decision-makers and experts from industry, government, academia and civil society and focus on challenges and opportunities to achieve sustainable growth and development of the iron and steel value chain in South Africa in light of increasing climate change risks and a changing global and local policy environment.
The global steel sector is at a crossroads, and data from our Green Steel Tracker shows that the transition away from emission-intensive steel production has already begun. To meet climate targets and avoid carbon lock-in and stranded assets, the global steel sector must use the 2020s to invest massively in low-carbon steelmaking technologies.
South Africa is committed to decarbonizing the iron and steel industry and joined LeadIT in 2022. The steel workshop in South Africa will support national-level plans, including the Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan. The outcome of the workshop will be presented in June through reports published by TIPS and LeadIT.
Keynote speakers include representatives from the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competitiveness, University of Capetown, South Africa Steel industry. LeadIT and TIPS will also present their perspective on how to transform the iron and steel industry in South Africa.
Speakers include:
Mahendra Shunmoogam, Director, Primary Minerals Beneficiation and Construction, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition: South Africa’s climate targets and the key role of industry for sustainable development.
Håkan Juholt, Swedish Ambassador, South Africa: South Africa´s LeadIT membership
Mr. Prabodha Acharya, Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW: Examples of decarbonization strategies and plans from around the world
Mr. Hilton Trollip, Research Fellow at University of Cape Town: Accelerating decarbonisation by reconfiguring global production chains. Research by Trollip indicates that South Africa is well-placed to export green iron to the global market.
Jerry Dungu, Head: Market & Product Development at ArcelorMittal South Africa: Panel discussion on current challenges, decarbonization, and the future of the industry
Leanne Govindsamy, Head, Corporate Accountability and Transparency Programme at Centre for Environmental Rights: Panel discussion on current challenges, decarbonization, and the future of the industry
Dr. Aaron Maltais, LeadIT Secretariat at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI): Presentation of the LeadIT Initiative & LeadIT Roadmap Planner
Mr. Muhammed Patel, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) Senior Economist: Introduction of the iron and steel industries’ economic significance and alignment with South Africa’s development plans and climate targets.
