As cities, governments, and corporations prioritize sustainability, architects and engineers are being asked to design buildings and infrastructure with lower environmental footprints.
Among the most effective ways to achieve this is through the use of sustainable steel—a material that is not only strong and versatile but now also available in low-carbon and circular formats.
However, specifying sustainable steel requires more than simply selecting “green” materials. It involves understanding certifications, supply chain transparency, lifecycle analysis, and compatibility with design goals.
This article provides a comprehensive guide for architects and engineers who want to make smart, sustainable choices when working with steel.
Why Sustainable Steel Matters in Design
Steel accounts for up to 75% of embodied carbon in many construction projects, especially in high-rise buildings, bridges, and industrial infrastructure. By selecting sustainable steel, professionals can:
- Significantly reduce total project emissions
- Contribute to green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM, WELL)
- Support circular economy principles
- Help clients meet ESG goals and carbon-neutral commitments
- Stay ahead of increasingly strict regulatory standards
In short, specifying sustainable steel is no longer optional—it’s becoming the industry standard for responsible design.
What Makes Steel “Sustainable”?
To specify steel as sustainable, architects and engineers should ensure the material meets one or more of the following criteria:
1. Low-Carbon or Green Production
Steel produced using:
- Hydrogen-based direct reduction (H-DRI)
- Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) powered by renewables
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies
- Recycled scrap content
These methods reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional blast furnace production.
2. Certified Supply Chain
Look for steel from manufacturers certified by:
- ResponsibleSteel™
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
- Cradle to Cradle Certified®
These credentials ensure traceability, responsible sourcing, and compliance with international sustainability standards.
3. High Recycled Content
Steel with high levels of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content reduces the need for virgin materials and supports circular design goals.
4. Design for Disassembly
Some steel systems are designed for future reuse or modular relocation, reducing long-term environmental impacts and enabling circular building practices.
Questions to Ask Suppliers and Fabricators
Before specifying steel for a project, professionals should engage with suppliers to understand:
- What percentage of recycled content does the steel contain?
- Was it produced using renewable energy or fossil fuels?
- Is there a third-party EPD or certification available?
- What is the CO₂ footprint per ton of the steel supplied?
- Is the steel compatible with modular or prefabricated construction?
- Can it be disassembled and reused at the end of the building’s life?
Documenting these answers is not only essential for due diligence but can also support green certification submissions and client ESG reporting.
Integrating Sustainable Steel into Project Phases
1. Concept and Schematic Design
- Identify areas where high-carbon steel could be replaced with greener alternatives.
- Choose structural systems—like steel frames or trusses—that can accommodate recycled or low-carbon steel.
- Engage sustainability consultants early to align material selection with lifecycle emissions goals.
2. Design Development
- Specify certified sustainable steel in bid documents and performance specs.
- Optimize structural efficiency to use less material without compromising integrity.
- Plan for design for disassembly if project lifespan is short or circular reuse is anticipated.
3. Construction and Procurement
- Work with contractors and fabricators who have experience sourcing and handling green steel.
- Ensure traceability and documentation of the steel’s sustainability credentials.
- Monitor delivery and installation to reduce waste, emissions, and inefficiencies on-site.
4. Commissioning and Handover
- Include sustainability documentation, such as EPDs and ResponsibleSteel certificates, in the project manual.
- Train facility managers on maintenance practices that extend the steel’s lifespan and performance.
Supporting Green Building Certifications
Sustainable steel can earn credits in major building certification systems:
- LEED v4.1: Credits for recycled content, environmental product declarations, and responsible sourcing.
- BREEAM: Points for lifecycle impact reduction and supply chain transparency.
- WELL Building Standard: Indirect contributions through reduced emissions and responsible materials.
Including green steel in designs can be the tipping point for achieving higher certification levels, particularly in categories related to materials and resources.
Tools for Material Assessment
Several tools are available to help architects and engineers evaluate and specify sustainable steel:
- One Click LCA – Perform lifecycle assessments using global steel databases.
- Athena Impact Estimator – Analyze building systems for embodied carbon.
- Tally by KieranTimberlake – Conduct BIM-integrated material impact studies.
- EPD databases (like EC3 tool) – Compare steel products by carbon intensity.
These platforms help quantify benefits and validate decisions.
Real-World Examples of Green Steel in Design
Økern Portal, Oslo
This award-winning mixed-use complex incorporates low-carbon steel throughout its structure, helping it achieve BREEAM Excellent certification.
Powerhouse Brattørkaia, Norway
Billed as the world’s northernmost energy-positive building, it used sustainable steel to reduce embodied carbon and support circular principles.
Pier 70, San Francisco
This major waterfront redevelopment includes buildings made with recycled steel and materials sourced through transparent, ethical supply chains.
Overcoming Barriers
While sustainable steel is becoming more available, challenges remain:
- Price premiums (typically 20–30%)—though declining.
- Limited awareness among some suppliers and contractors.
- Supply constraints for large-scale projects or specialty grades.
- Complexity in documentation and certification.
Proactive planning, education, and collaboration with forward-thinking suppliers can overcome these hurdles.
The Architect and Engineer’s Role in Climate Action
Professionals in the built environment have extraordinary influence over material choices, embodied carbon, and long-term environmental impact.
By specifying sustainable steel, they contribute directly to:
- Reducing global emissions
- Promoting a circular economy
- Encouraging innovation in materials science
- Influencing manufacturers to produce cleaner steel
This is not just about compliance—it’s about leadership.
Conclusion: Specifying Steel with Purpose
The era of sustainable design demands smarter choices—and steel is one of the most impactful decisions a project team can make.
By understanding how to specify low-carbon, certified, and circular steel, architects and engineers can build structures that don’t just stand tall—but stand for something.
From early design to final documentation, sustainable steel is no longer a niche alternative—it’s the material of the future, and the responsibility of today’s professionals is to help make it the standard.
Sérgio Antonini is a Mechanical Engineer with a specialization in Competitive Business Management and over 30 years of experience working with steel in national and international markets. Through this blog, he shares insights, technical analyses, and trends related to the use of steel in engineering, covering material innovation, industrial applications, and the strategic importance of steel across different sectors. His goal is to inform and inspire professionals working with or interested in steel.