The CO2 emission reduction path towards carbon neutrality in the Chinese steel industry: A review

China has set an ambitious national determined contributions target to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and aims to be carbon neutral by 2060. One of China's top energy consumers and CO2 contributors, the steel industry accounts for 13% of the country's total consumption and 15% of CO2 emissions. In response to the present global warming trend, there is an urgent need to cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions to promote low-carbon growth. This paper attempts to provide a detailed analysis of the steel industry's CO2 emission reduction path to carbon neutrality. Further efforts in terms of industrial structure, material efficiency, energy efficiency, and low- or zero-carbon technologies are required to achieve a low-carbon transition. Given that decarbonization is a significant priority in the steel industry in many countries, this study focuses on the goals and technological paths of low-carbon emissions projects to optimize existing technology priorities and propose development directions. Deep decarbonization is also projected to be achieved by combining CCUS and hydrogen metallurgy technologies. The steel industry requires collaborative efforts to standardize CO2 emission accounting methodologies and establish a carbon trading system to strengthen carbon emission management. •The steel industry is one of the key contributors to carbon neutrality which needs to accelerate decarbonization.•Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions to keep up with the current global warming trend are reviewed.•This paper selects low-carbon emission projects to optimize current technology priorities and provide development directions.•Policy recommendations and next steps for low-carbon transition are given.