Luxembourg-based steel giant ArcelorMittal's CO2 emissions per metric ton of steel produced increased by three percent year on year in 2009 to 2,245 mt.
Due to the financial crisis, ArcelorMittal's total emissions dropped by 60 million mt to 164 million mt last year from 224 million mt in 2008.
In its report titled ‘2009 Corporate Responsibility Report: Our progress towards Safe Sustainable Steel', the company reaffirmed its commitment to secure an eight percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020, against a 2007 baseline - equivalent to a 170 kg reduction per metric ton of steel produced.
As a result of the excessive drop in emissions in 2009, which does not constitute a reference, the company is unable to say how close it is to meeting this target, the report pointed out.
ArcelorMittal is investing in long-term energy saving projects to meet EU emission targets but it is still expected to purchase extra allowances in 2008-12 to cover its emissions.
The steel giant is responsible for approximately 0.7 percent of global CO2 emissions.