The German steel federation Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl) has urged industrialized and emerging countries to take responsibility for climate protection, while strongly warning against unilateral burdens on the steel industry in Europe. Speaking at the climate summit in Paris, WV Stahl president Hans Jürgen Kerkhoff stated that an agreement on climate protection should also include the emerging economies. An agreement without China, the leading steel producing country in the world, is inconceivable and all participating states should accept the obligations, he said.
According to Mr. Kerkhoff, the aim must be a global emissions trading scheme with uniform emission values and allocation rules for the industry. The most efficient systems should not be burdened by purchasing allowances or increases in electricity prices. In an environment of global competition accentuated by the economic weakness and increasing overcapacity in China, all participating countries should take responsibility, the WV Stahl official stated.