Our challenge

While reducing our carbon footprint is one of the biggest global challenges we face, our neighbours and other stakeholders have expectations too. These expectations focus on the impact of our steel and mining operations on our shared natural resources. While our environmental performance is improving, we must ensure that our performance and impact align with the long-term needs and expectations of our stakeholders. We must engage in open conversations about the challenges we face and discuss the best ways to respond to stakeholders. This is how we will better deliver on our commitment of inventing smarter steels for a better world.

Our aim is to publish environmental improvement plans for all our sites, making them accountable to both their stakeholders and the leadership of the business.

Our SD Outcomes

Two of ArcelorMittal’s sustainable development (SD) outcomes directly connect to how we view our environmental performance:

  • By-products, scrap and the circular economy

    SD outcome 4. Efficient use of resources and high recycling rates

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  • Air, land and water

    SD Outcome 5. Trusted user of air, land and water

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“We are leaders in steels. We need to help lead the way to a better future, for our neighbours, our investors, and society as a whole.” Frank Schulz, vice president, governmental affairs, environment and real estate

Our approach

ArcelorMittal’s environmental objectives are established globally, guided by a Group Environmental Policy with oversight from the board of directors. Some challenges, such as climate change, are global in nature and require ArcelorMittal to engage in multi-stakeholder forums at a high level. Others are local and require engagement between country or facility leadership and local stakeholders. Either way, open, transparent communications and follow up is a must.

All production sites monitor air, water, energy and residue data and publish the data annually in the Integrated Annual Review and country-level sustainability reports.The ISO 14001 management system plays an important role in ensuring consistent and regular environmental data. 98% of our industrial operations are ISO 14001 certified, which requires the monitoring, active management and continuous improvement of environmental impacts.

We regularly review our approach to environmental monitoring, validation and investment allocation to ensure consistency and accuracy of all data across the group.

And finally, we make significant investments around the world to improve our environmental performance. In the last three years, ArcelorMittal has invested more than $1200 million in activities with environmental benefits. While the majority is allocated toward urgent issues of air and water, funds are also used to address noise abatement, soil quality and the use and reuse of by-products.

Case studies


  • Poland: a highlight of our environmental improvement plans

    ArcelorMittal has been executing a multi-year environmental investment programme to modernise its operations across three sites in Poland.

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  • ArcelorMittal Temirtau continues to implement its $198m environmental investment plan

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  • Collaboration on the Great Lakes

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  • A green belt for a better environment

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