Is “hard-to-abate” really that hard – or is it a justification for delay?

Labelling heavy industry like steel as “hard-to-abate” has shaped policy and business action in ways that risk undermining global efforts to cut emissions
An employee of Dirostahl, a medium-size forging steel firm that produces large parts, works on a glowing steel element that has been heated in a classic natural gas-fired furnace to 1,200C in Remscheid, Germany
An employee of Dirostahl, a medium-size forging steel firm that produces large parts, works on a glowing steel element that has been heated in a classic natural gas-fired furnace to 1,200C in Remscheid, Germany, June 30, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen)

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