International sectoral approaches and agreements: case studies of the steel sector in China, India and Japan—Emerging Policy Recommendations

Steel is an essential sector if we are to control global CO₂ emissions. Both the negotiating process and the proposals being made require further development.

Existing national policies should be the essential building blocks of sectoral approaches, agreements and mechanisms. International agreement is needed to ensure adequate levels of ambition to curb rising emissions in the steel sector, notably to assail competitiveness fears.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is still an essential element for developing sectoral approaches, agreements and mechanisms. It could host a steel-specific negotiation forum with government and industry representation and with sufficient technical expertise to be able to assess the level of commitment that individual countries are making and to investigate potential international agreements.