Media Release

Canadian Steel Producers Are Ready to Partner on Climate Change

OTTAWA, December 11, 2020 – The Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) welcomes the opportunities laid out in the Government of Canada’s climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The federal strategy is well aligned with the CSPA’s own Climate Call to Action announced in March, 2020.

“Earlier this year, we outlined our plan for moving forward on climate change, including the need for a deep partnership with the federal government.” says Catherine Cobden, President of the CSPA. “In their plan released today, we can see that the federal government was listening.”

Cobden sees today’s announcement as indicating the government will be a supportive partner in the industry’s climate plan. “The federal government is sending an important signal that we are not alone in this incredibly challenging transition. As a heavy industry, we need a range of solutions and we see that many options are on the table in today’s plan.”

The Canadian Steel Producers Association points out, however, that timing is urgent to advance these solutions. As time passes, the carbon price will escalate placing a significant burden and urgency on heavy industries to transform. The CSPA will continue to work with the federal government to seek ways to move ahead in a manner that allows the technology to advance and ensures the Producers’ competitiveness is preserved.

The key elements of today’s plan of significant interest to the CSPA include:

• Create a Net-Zero Accelerator Fund to expedite decarbonization projects of large emitters;
• Provide funding to support strategic R & D;
• Support the greening of Canada’s electricity generation across the country;
• Develop supply chains to locally source low emission building material;
• Explore the potential of border carbon adjustments to ensure a level playing field with other competing jurisdictions; and,
• Support for a hydrogen strategy as a future energy source for Canada.

“These elements are tremendously important to CSPA members. We must advance them at a pace that recognizes the challenges of our industry faces in confronting climate change. There is no time to waste.” said Cobden.

Steel is 100% recyclable and the most recycled material in the world. Canadian producers continue to improve their environmental stewardship and have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% since 1990 by improving energy efficiency and by ensuring best practices across their operation. In March 2020, the CSPA released its Climate Call to Action. The plan can be found here: https://canadiansteel.ca/files...