Although the steel industry currently produces around 7% of the world’s carbon emissions that’s about to change. And Protective Fencing is proud to be leading the way in that quest for a better future for the environment, our clients, and the generations to come.
The steel industry is aiming to achieve zero-carbon emissions in its primary steel production technologies by 2030.
As part of that commitment, Protective Fencing is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon emissions now.
That’s because Protective Fencing’s core mission is about protecting people, property and our native wildlife; after all, it’s in our name.
We’re also committed to protecting the environment for the future. Here’s how Protective Fencing is helping to achieve that zero carbon emissions goal.
GREEN POWER
With Australia’s abundance of sunshine hours, solar power makes perfect sense, even at an industrial level.
Thanks to the recent installation of a 100kW array of solar panels and invertors, we’ve been able to reduce our power consumption by 30%.
Using the sun’s clean, green energy lowers our reliance on grid energy and reduces the need for less environmentally friendly power sources.
Our solar panels are potentially saving around 200 tonnes or more of CO2 emissions each year (depending on variables such as sunshine hours).
Using more green energy is just one way we’re reducing our carbon emissions.
STEEL RECYCLING
Protective Fencing sends 100% of its metal scraps for recycling. And we go even further, our steel comes from recycled scrap steel, thanks to InfraBuild’s extensive commitment to steel recycling.
The fact is that the more we can reuse steel products the more we reduce our carbon emissions and our dependency on fossil fuels.
This means, in real terms, that for every one tonne of steel scrap we recycle we save 1.5 tonnes of CO2, 1.4 tonnes of iron ore, 740kg of coal and 120kg of limestone.
GREEN STEEL
The manufacture of steel has traditionally required the use of fossil fuels, such as coking coal, to produce the high temperatures needed to make steel.
We’re proud to acknowledge the steps our steel suppliers (InfraBuild & Bluescope) are taking to decarbonise the steel manufacturing process.
InfraBuild is already manufacturing steel with nearly 80% fewer carbon emissions and 64% less electricity. A key facet of InfraBuild’s decarbonisation programme is its steel recycling project.
InfraBuild’s Australian recycling plants recover about 1.4 million tonnes of recycled metals, which are then upcycled into new steel products.
Much of this recycled steel makes its way to Protective Fencing and contributes to a truly circular economy and a healthier environment.
Bluescope Steel is also committed to decarbonising steel production. It’s planning to set up Australia’s first ‘green steel’ plant, which will manufacture steel using renewable fuels instead of the traditional fossil fuels.
The intention is to replace coal entirely with hydrogen using renewable energy sources.
Bluescope Steel is aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for its global operations.
GREEN TRANSPORT
Sadly, road traffic makes up some 17% of Australia’s carbon footprint (the third largest source). So, naturally, we’re moving to greener transport options too.
We’re adding hybrid and electric vehicles to our fleet as we replace older vehicles. And we’ll be looking to replace our trucks with environmentally-friendly options too. It’s all about moving towards a brighter greener future.
PROTECTIVE FENCING
We care about preserving and protecting the health of our planet for future generations. Protection for the environment; it’s in our DNA.
