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The report 'Pedal to the Metal 2026' by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the global iron and steel industry's struggle to decarbonize, highlighting a 'coal lock-in crisis' where continued investment in blast furnace (BF) capacity and relining of existing assets threaten net-zero targets despite incremental gains in electric arc furnace (EAF) and direct reduced iron (DRI) technologies.

The 2025 'Pedal to the Metal' report by Global Energy Monitor evaluates the global iron and steel fleet's progress toward 2030 decarbonization goals, highlighting a gap between the planning of cleaner technologies and their actual construction.

This report by RMI argues that the US steel industry faces a critical decision point regarding seven aging coal-based blast furnaces in the Great Lakes region. The author contends that investing hundreds of millions of dollars to 'reline' these furnaces to extend their life by 20 years risks creating stranded assets, perpetuating severe local pollution, and missing the transition to low-emissions steel. Instead, the report advocates for a transition to Hydrogen-Ready Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) coupled with Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) to ensure long-term competitiveness and align with climate goals.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzes China's steel industry, focusing on the transition from emissions-intensive blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) production to lower-emissions electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. It evaluates the feasibility of China's 15% EAF production target for 2025 and the potential for a more ambitious 20% target, while identifying obstacles such as scrap distribution and energy stability.