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Relevant matters of reducing the carbon footprint, challenges and possibilities for the metallurgical and industrial complexes of the Eurasian Economic Union as a whole within the global climate agenda were discussed at the 3rd International Forum "Ecology of Mining, Metallurgical and Oil Production-2021" held in Chelyabinsk, which was attended by Artak Kamalyan, Minister in charge of Industry and Agriculture of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The projects of "green" metal industry in Europe and Russia, directions of ecological modernization of metallurgical and oil enterprises as well as the EAEU countries’ response measures required for implementing the EU Green Deal environmental plan of the European Commission involving a transboundary carbon tax to be imposed on imports of steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizers and electricity to the EU countries, were discussed. According to various estimates, the annual payments from the EAEu countries’ metallurgical enterprises may amount to about 2 bln Euro under one of the potential scenarios.

"The global problem of climate change set a task of restructuring and modernizing basic manufacturing industries. We should make major efforts to transit from raw material and resource-intensive to innovative resource-efficient type of development. Forming a high-tech competitive industry today is one of the main targets of our Union’s industrial policy," Artak Kamalyan stressed opening the forum.

Artak Kamalyan has noted that considering the importance of the issue for our countries’ economies, the Commission, jointly with the Member States, initiated the development of common response approaches within the climate agenda which implies the preparation of joint measures to support the most vulnerable industrial sectors.

In particular, the possibility of modernizing and optimizing the manufacturing cycle in the metal industry is considered which will contribute to increasing resource efficiency and productivity, including through the active use of scrap metals. This effects substantial savings and reduces emissions during production.

In general, the Union countries should identify a number of priorities in implementing industrial policy to gradually achieve environmental safety. This include a constant increase in the energy efficiency of enterprises, the indispensable development of renewable energy sources and investments in the advanced technologies.

"I believe that no matter how difficult and cost-based the objective of modernizing our economy is, it will encourage active development of new technologies and accelerate the transition to a new economic paradigm whereby the role and share of resource-based industries will inevitably decrease. Although, it is evident that it will continue to be significant for a long time," Artak Kamalyan summed up.

As part of discussing sustainable development, the forum attendees also placed greater focus on the prospect of using hydrogen in metal industry and transport. Experts consider this trend of the "green" economy necessary for transiting to a new technological paradigm.

For reference

The Annual International Forum "Ecology of Mining, Metallurgical and Oil Production" is a professional platform for meetings between top management of mining and metallurgical companies, investors as well as representatives of executive authorities, leading experts and analysts. In 2021, the Forum was attended by representatives of authorized public authorities, scientific organizations, leading enterprises of the metallurgical and oil-producing industries of the Eurasian Economic Union countries.

The Forum’s objectives include exchanging experience of representatives of the EAEU largest companies towards achieving carbon neutrality as well as developing basic strategies of the companies’ behavior in rapidly changing ecological and economic systems.