Journey to Net Zero

Metals and rare earth minerals, which are almost infinitely recyclable and can be classed as permanent materials, are a vitally important part of greening the UK’s supply chain that we are all working towards. 

That only tells part of the picture. Capturing the full environmental benefits of metal products also requires good product design to ensure components can be easily disassembled and a supportive regulatory environment to enable the full benefits of the circular economy can be realised by the UK plc.

There is a major piece of significant work to be done here and the UK Metals Council is driving this agenda across its trade associations’ member base.

Recognising our sector’s strategic role in the supply chain of the UK’s foundation industries and widescale infrastructure projects (including HS2 and Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station) is key and ensuring that this is shared by the government – regardless of political persuasion – is critical to meeting Net Zero targets.

We need to agree a roadmap, in order to maximise energy efficiencies and ensure our companies remain globally competitive whilst transitioning towards Net Zero metal processing.

Commitment 1: To support the creation of sustainability roadmaps for the sector

Working with the government and other sectors, the UK Metals Council will help industry support the creation of a circular economy by promoting the value of metals as a material capable of true recycling and re-use.

It will advocate product design strategies that ameliorate separation and reuse or recycling and encourage the use of byproducts that derive from manufacturing processes in our sector.

Commitment 2: To maximise sustainability

To embed an ethos of sustainability across the sector, the UK Metals Council will encourage the mindset of sharing ‘green’ best practice, particularly across the supply chain and with smaller companies.

We will ask policymakers to support:

  • The recognition and promotion of metals as a permanent material and thereby maximising their use in a future circular economy
  • Development of regulatory systems that support and encourages the use of responsibly produced UK-based metals products
  • Pushing the Industrial Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Roadmap to 2050 and developing it into a comprehensive action plan that is attainable.

Commitment 3: To help companies offset rising energy prices

Our companies will only be competitive if they can get access to fair energy prices and we propose: 

  • To reform energy markets so that the supply chain and metal producers can access clean electricity at prices comparable to global competitors
  • The Government provides incentives for early capital investment in zero carbon production equipment

In addition to these three measures, the UKMC is committed to supporting and engaging with the UK Clean Growth Strategy and the Resources and Waste Strategy (for England), contributing to the UK’s sustainability and goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Did you know?

Every household in the UK consumes around 340 aluminium drink cans every year. Each one of these can be recycled back into new drink cans repeatedly. This saves energy and natural resources, and also reduces the pressure on landfill sites.