During the COP28 climate summit being held in Dubai, the governments, all member countries of the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative, promised to adopt timebound commitments in procuring low-emissions steel or to set emissions reduction thresholds for whole project lifecycle assessments in public building projects. 

“(The) commitments are an important milestone to help drive the global decarbonization of heavy industries by creating a market for low- and near-zero emission steel and cement. Governments are among the top buyers of materials for major infrastructure projects. Public procurement is estimated to be responsible for 25% of global construction revenue. I am pleased to see governments like Canada, Germany, the U.K., the U.S., and Austria, Japan and the UAE lead the way,” said Gerd Müller, Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization.  

In addition, the four countries committed to support the development and use of harmonized emissions accounting standards and definitions for low- and near-zero emission construction materials.