Enersense and WWF Finland launch collaboration to accelerate demand for low-emission steel

Through the collaboration, Enersense will be better equipped to support its customers in choosing low-emission steel, thereby reducing emissions and improving its carbon handprint. Globally, the steel production value chain accounts for almost ten per cent of all CO2e-emissions. However, low-emission production technologies already exist. Strong demand signals can accelerate investments in new fossil-free production facilities.

“Reducing emissions from steel requires action across the entire value chain. Steel is one of the most efficiently recycled materials in the world, but recycling alone is not enough. Steel plants should transition to using renewable electricity. We are also eagerly awaiting the completion of green steel production investments, which would enable electricity and telecommunications networks to be built using near-zero-emission steel. There is still some way to go, so through our collaboration with WWF Finland we are increasing demand for low-emission steel by supporting our customers in procuring genuinely lower-emission solutions,” says Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Enersense.

The decarbonisation of steel production has been one of WWF Finland’s climate priorities for several years. WWF Finland also leads WWF’s international steel programme. WWF Finland brings deep expertise on the steel market and its environmental impacts across the entire supply chain to the collaboration. It also supports Enersense in advancing practical climate action and acts as the company’s expert partner.

Enersense has already piloted the use of low-emission steel in construction. The company is currently, for the first time in Finland, building substations that utilise recycled steel in their structures. The carbon dioxide emissions of this steel are on average around 40 per cent lower compared with conventional steel.

Enersense aims to reduce emissions from clean energy transition and telecommunications network investments

“Enersense is a pioneer in the use of low-emission steel in substation construction, and through our collaboration we can boost impactful climate action in other construction projects as well. Initiatives like this are crucial for enabling the entire market to shift towards more sustainable choices,” says Bernt Nordman, Programme Director, Climate Programme at WWF Finland.

In addition to regular dialogue, the collaboration will produce a practical guide for buyers of low-emission steel and a joint event focusing on the benefits and procurement of low-emission steel.

“We have set ambitious, science-based emission reduction targets, and achieving them requires strong expertise and concrete actions. Our goal is that investments in clean energy transition and telecommunications networks can in future be carried out with lower emissions than before. We are pleased to see that our customers are highly interested in low-emission alternatives,” Liisi Tamminen says.

More information
Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability
liisi.tamminen@enersense.com, 044 2225552

Bernt Nordman, ilmasto-ohjelman johtaja, WWF Suomi
bernt.nordman@wwf.fi, 050 525 0348

Amanda Rejström, global lead, WWF Steel Decarbonisation Workstream
amanda.rejstrom@wwf.fi, 050 300 5058