The creation of green lead markets is essential to drive demand for green steel. The demand for Low-CO2 steel should be stimulated through public procurement and in public auctions, for instance by introducing non-price award criteria, including environmental, resilience and social conditionality; maintaining steel production within the EU has become a matter of strategic autonomy and therefore resilience aspects should be strengthened. The EU should recognize a labelling system for green steel to be used as a benchmark and reference to allow green steel on lead markets.
• Promote an EU labelling system for green steel, developed with the social partners and taking into account existing European Initiatives.
• Review relevant EU legislation to promote green steel made in EU in public procurement and in public auctions, including in the forthcoming review of the EU Public Procurement Directive.
• Introduce incentives to use green steel in key downstream sectors such as automotive and construction.