Australia and China have formalised a new cooperation framework on steel industry emissions, with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to advance joint work on steel decarbonisation.
According to the department, the agreement establishes the Australia–China Policy Dialogue on Steel Decarbonisation, fulfilling a commitment made during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China in July 2025.
The MoU is intended to support ongoing discussions aimed at reducing emissions across the iron and steel value chains.
In a statement, the department said the policy dialogue will serve as a platform for both countries to “share insights and explore opportunities for decarbonising these sectors.”
It noted that the discussions would centre on pathways to lower-emissions iron and steel production, evolving markets and trade for decarbonised steel, and domestic policy settings that may enable further cooperation.
The department emphasised the global significance of the initiative, pointing out that steel and ironmaking contribute up to 9 per cent of global emissions.
“Demand for low-emissions steel will grow significantly in the coming decades,” the statement said. “Collaboration of this kind is essential for supporting broader international decarbonisation efforts.”
Australia will host the inaugural policy dialogue in 2026.
