Heavy industry—mining, cement, and steel—is central to the climate challenge because emissions are tied to both materials processing and the energy that powers it. This page shows how major sources are distributed and how policy, disclosure, and investment shape decarbonization. You’ll also explore practical levers across process routes, alternative fuels, energy management, and carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions at scale.
Key Takeaways
- 3.6% of global greenhouse-gas emissions came from the mining and quarrying sector in 2018 (the sector’s direct share of global GHG emissions).
- 66% of cement industry emissions are from the calcination process (share of emissions by source within cement).
- 53% of steel industry GHG emissions are linked to blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace routes (share of emissions by production route).
- In 2023, global cement production was about 4.1 billion tonnes (recent production level).
- In 2022, the EU’s ETS cap for 2021–2030 averages about 1.57 billion tonnes of CO2e per year (annual average aviation ETS removed; for ETS overall cap).
- 2020 global tracked assets under management for ESG-focused funds reached US$35.3 trillion (proxy for capital availability for sustainability-linked investment).
- In 2022, global industrial energy efficiency improvements could save 4 exajoules per year by 2030 (IEA energy efficiency savings potential).
- In 2023, 64% of manufacturing organizations had adopted at least one energy management system aligned with ISO 50001 (survey result).
- ISO 50001 certificates globally exceeded 60,000 by 2023 (number of ISO 50001 certificates).
- A 2023 review found CCUS can reduce cement-sector CO2 emissions by 70–90% with high capture rates (capture/abatement range).
- A 2020 peer-reviewed meta-analysis found industrial process optimization projects reduced energy use by a median of 15% (energy intensity reduction).
- A 2021 study reported that blast furnace gas recovery and utilization can reduce overall energy consumption by 3–10% in steel plants (energy reduction range).
- 5–8% of global CO2 emissions come from the cement industry (cement process emissions plus fuel combustion)
- 2.7% of global greenhouse-gas emissions are from mining and quarrying (direct emissions share, 2019)
- 35% of global energy-related CO2 emissions are attributable to industry
Heavy industry still drives major emissions, but efficiency, cement and steel process shifts, and CCUS could cut CO2 sharply.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends14 stats
01
3.6% of global greenhouse-gas emissions came from the mining and quarrying sector in 2018 (the sector’s direct share of global GHG emissions).
02
66% of cement industry emissions are from the calcination process (share of emissions by source within cement).
03
53% of steel industry GHG emissions are linked to blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace routes (share of emissions by production route).
04
In 2022, 44% of EU metal production companies used the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to report climate-related financial risk (CDP Europe 2022 survey result).
05
In 2022, 38% of EU cement companies reported having a climate target covering their whole value chain (CDP Europe 2022 survey result for cement).
06
$1.4 trillion of annual energy-related CO2 emissions in the industry sector are addressable through energy efficiency improvements (global energy efficiency potential estimate by IEA).
07
By 2050, net-zero pathways require 40–60% of global cement to be produced with lower-clinker or with CCUS (share requirement).
08
By 2050, net-zero pathways require 35–45% of global steel to be produced via low-carbon routes (hydrogen DRI and EAF with high scrap) (share requirement).
09
201 gigawatts of renewable power capacity are forecast to be required by 2030 for net-zero pathways in heavy industries (renewables capacity requirement in IEA net zero roadmap context).
10
2.0% of global primary energy use is in the cement sector (cement share of global primary energy).
11
Between 2017 and 2022, the average carbon intensity of electricity generation in the OECD fell by 7% (trend in electricity emissions intensity).
12
In 2021, China produced about 53% of the world’s crude steel (share of global steel).
13
Electric arc furnace steel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared with blast furnace routes under typical conditions (comparison figure).
14
Hydrogen-based DRI with renewable electricity can reduce steel CO2 emissions by up to 80–95% compared to blast furnace BF-BOF (abatement range).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Across industry trends in heavy industry, emissions are highly concentrated in the biggest process routes and sectors, with mining and quarrying contributing 3.6% of global greenhouse gases in 2018 and 66% of cement emissions coming from calcination while 53% of steel emissions trace to blast furnace basic oxygen furnace pathways, making targeted decarbonization and efficiency efforts especially impactful.
02 · Category
Performance Metrics6 stats
01
A 2023 review found CCUS can reduce cement-sector CO2 emissions by 70–90% with high capture rates (capture/abatement range).
02
A 2020 peer-reviewed meta-analysis found industrial process optimization projects reduced energy use by a median of 15% (energy intensity reduction).
03
A 2021 study reported that blast furnace gas recovery and utilization can reduce overall energy consumption by 3–10% in steel plants (energy reduction range).
04
A 2022 study reported that clinker replacement strategies can reduce cement’s CO2 emissions by 20–50% depending on substitution rate (CO2 reduction range).
05
A 2019 life-cycle assessment found that renewable-powered electrified cement kilns can reduce lifecycle GHG emissions by about 50–80% versus conventional coal kilns (abatement).
06
A 2021 LCA study found that recycled steel in EAF routes can reduce lifecycle GHG emissions by about 20–35% versus BF-BOF with comparable quality (LCA reduction).
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Across these performance metrics studies, heavy industry sustainability gains repeatedly land in meaningful double digit or larger ranges, with CO2 cuts reaching 70–90% from high capture CCUS in cement and energy and emissions improvements commonly around 15% to 50% from optimization, clinker replacement, and electrified or recycled-material pathways.
03 · Category
Market Size3 stats
01
In 2023, global cement production was about 4.1 billion tonnes (recent production level).
02
In 2022, the EU’s ETS cap for 2021–2030 averages about 1.57 billion tonnes of CO2e per year (annual average aviation ETS removed; for ETS overall cap).
03
2020 global tracked assets under management for ESG-focused funds reached US$35.3 trillion (proxy for capital availability for sustainability-linked investment).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
Market size for heavy industry sustainability is massive, with cement production at about 4.1 billion tonnes in 2023, EU ETS allowances averaging roughly 1.57 billion tonnes of CO2e per year over 2021–2030, and ESG-focused funds holding US$35.3 trillion in 2020, signaling both large emissions pressure and ample capital to drive action.
More related reading
04 · Category
Emissions Baselines3 stats
01
5–8% of global CO2 emissions come from the cement industry (cement process emissions plus fuel combustion)
02
2.7% of global greenhouse-gas emissions are from mining and quarrying (direct emissions share, 2019)
03
35% of global energy-related CO2 emissions are attributable to industry
Interpretation
Emissions Baselines Interpretation
For emissions baselines in heavy industry, the data show that industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gases, with cement alone responsible for 5 to 8 percent of CO2 emissions and mining and quarrying contributing 2.7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
05 · Category
Decarbonization Levers3 stats
01
1.9% of global electricity is used by data centers and associated IT in 2023 (forecasted to rise), increasing demand for grid power that affects decarbonization opportunities for electrified heavy industry
02
75% of the world’s emissions reduction is required from direct sector decarbonization (rather than offsets) in net-zero system pathways, implying levers for heavy industry
03
41% of global steel production facilities are located in emerging economies (share relevant to technology adoption and financing needs)
Interpretation
Decarbonization Levers Interpretation
Decarbonization levers need to focus on direct sector action and technology uptake because 75% of emissions cuts must come from direct heavy industry decarbonization rather than offsets, while rising digital demand is increasing grid pressure as data centers and related IT already use 1.9% of global electricity in 2023 and are set to grow.
06 · Category
Industry Overview8 stats
01
As of 2023, 11% of global cement plants used alternative fuels (share relevant to combustion decarbonization readiness)
02
Hydrogen produced by electrolysis accounted for 1.2% of global hydrogen production in 2022 (adoption base for hydrogen-based DRI supply)
03
As of 2024, 5.0% of global steel capacity is in EAF-based production routes (capacity share indicates readiness for electrification)
04
In 2023, 64% of manufacturing organizations had adopted at least one energy management system aligned with ISO 50001 (survey result).
05
ISO 50001 certificates globally exceeded 60,000 by 2023 (number of ISO 50001 certificates).
06
In 2022, global industrial energy efficiency improvements could save 4 exajoules per year by 2030 (IEA energy efficiency savings potential).
07
$300 billion per year in additional investment is needed for low-carbon industrial technologies by 2030 (investment gap supporting heavy industry decarbonization)
08
EU ETS covers about 36% of the EU’s GHG emissions (carbon price coverage relevant to heavy industry compliance)
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Across heavy industry, progress toward sustainability is measurable and accelerating with 64% of manufacturers using ISO 50001 energy management by 2023, ISO 50001 certificates rising above 60,000, and electrification readiness taking hold as 5.0% of global steel capacity runs on EAF routes in 2024.
report visual · Comparison
Key decarbonization routes for steel
Electric arc furnace and hydrogen-based direct reduced iron pathways can substantially cut steel CO2 versus blast furnace routes.
Hydrogen-based DRI with renewable electricity can reduce steel CO2 emissions by up to 80–95% compared to blast furnace B95%
Electric arc furnace steel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60% compared with blast furnace routes under typical condit
60%
53% of steel industry GHG emissions are linked to blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace routes (share of emissions by produ
53%
source-verifiediea.org · irena.org
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Heavy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Sustainability In The Heavy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Sustainability In The Heavy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-heavy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
37 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+20 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)