China Hongqiao Group Chairman Zhang Bo commits to carbon goals unveiling in 2024

China Hongqiao Group Chairman Zhang Bo recently told at a conference that his company will announce its carbon goals and pathways later this year.

There were no indications of what might be in the announcement, only that the company was working with several institutions and companies to develop its strategy.

Hongqiao is a leader in more ways than one. Hongqiao is one of the world's largest producers of primary metal. Still, it is also taking a leadership position on secondary metal, developing assets in its traditional heartland of Shandong province. Hongqiao also led the industry in the transition to hydroelectricity on environmental grounds.

The fact that Hongqiao is telegraphing its punches is likely a good thing for the environment, as it may induce other Chinese primary metal producers to come up with their own. However, whether it's Hongqiao or anyone else in the country's primary industry, announcing plans and targets is just an early step, with much more serious steps still to come.