News Summary
Cleveland is targeting a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, striving for net-zero emissions by 2050. The city plans to lower emissions by 63.3% from 2018 levels, facing challenges primarily from the Cleveland-Cliffs steel facility. Key reports highlight the need for cleaner technologies to meet sustainability goals and protect public health, as local pollution has serious consequences for the community. The path forward requires substantial upgrades to reduce emissions dramatically.
Cleveland is striving to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, aiming for a significant reduction in greenhouse gases. The city has set an ambitious target to lower emissions by 63.3% from 2018 levels, which means cutting emissions from approximately 11.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMtCO2e) to just 4.3 MMtCO2e annually by 2030.
However, this goal faces significant challenges due to the emissions from the Cleveland-Cliffs’ Cleveland Works steel facility, which is currently the city’s largest single source of pollution. In 2023, Cleveland Works is projected to emit around 4.2 MMtCO2e, making it nearly impossible for Cleveland to meet its emission reduction objectives without a transition to clean steelmaking technologies at that facility.
A report by advocacy group Industrious Labs indicates that decarbonizing Cleveland Works is crucial for the success of Cleveland’s climate action plan. The report stresses that without significant changes in operations at Cleveland-Cliffs, the city’s sustainability goals may remain unattainable. The steel director for Industrious Labs has highlighted that the company must transition towards less carbon-intensive processes to contribute toward reducing overall emissions effectively.
An immediate concern for Cleveland-Cliffs is its aging blast furnace, which faces a decision point regarding its future operations. The company can either invest in modern technologies that cut greenhouse gas emissions or choose to continue relying on coal-dependent processes. It’s important to note that Cleveland-Cliffs has been recognized as a 2023 Goal Achiever for its efforts in reducing emissions nationwide, and the company is now under pressure to build on this progress.
Changes in federal legislation, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 infrastructure law, have created a supportive environment for companies looking to reduce emissions. However, Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO recently withdrew from a federally funded initiative aimed at developing green steel, citing a lack of sufficient hydrogen supply as a barrier.
The current operations at Cleveland Works also pose significant health risks for the local community. The facility’s pollution has been linked to up to 39 premature deaths, over 1,700 lost workdays each year, and more than 9,000 asthma cases. This adds urgency to the need for Cleveland to address its emissions and improve public health, especially as it ranks as the fifth-worst U.S. city for asthma prevalence.
The existing Blast Furnace #6 at Cleveland Works is nearing the end of its operational life, potentially opening the door for a transition to cleaner energy sources like natural gas or hydrogen. Such a shift could lead to substantial emissions reductions—more than 30% with natural gas, and even further through the use of green hydrogen. If Cleveland-Cliffs chooses to merely reline the current furnace without adopting new technologies, total emissions could actually increase despite specific efficiency improvements.
Options for reducing emissions also include transitioning to an electric arc furnace powered by carbon-free energy. This pathway could increase total emissions reductions to 47% or more. Implementing the recommended upgrades could result in a dramatic 96% reduction in emissions from the Cleveland Works facility.
Cuyahoga County, which encompasses Cleveland, shares similar net-zero emissions ambitions by 2050 and is updating its climate action plan. This draft plan acknowledges Cleveland-Cliffs’ advancements in energy efficiency and iron ore processing. Experts and officials agree that it is essential for the company to decarbonize to remain competitive, particularly as global demand increasingly shifts toward low-carbon steel production.
As Cleveland progresses toward its sustainability goals, the intersection of environmental responsibility and economic viability remains a complex challenge. Industry experts emphasize the need for timely emissions reductions while ensuring that local businesses like Cleveland-Cliffs remain viable in a changing economic landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Construction Industry Faces Challenges with Tariff Volatility and AI
Additional Resources
- Crain’s Cleveland: Cleveland-Cliffs Blast Furnace May Alter Cleveland’s Climate Goals
- Google Search: Cleveland climate goals
- Spectrum News: Steel Emissions at Cleveland Works
- Wikipedia: Emission
- Cleveland.com: Cleveland-Cliffs Pushing Back on Tighter Air Regulations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Pollution
- Fuel Cells Works: Cleveland-Cliffs Opens Hydrogen-Enabled Annealing Line
- Manufacturing Dive: Trump’s Green Steel Initiative and Cleveland-Cliffs
- NWI Times: Local Environmental News
- Google News: Cleveland emissions
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
