Annie Heaton

CEO at Responsible Steel

Abstract: Responsible Steel – building a more sustainable steel industry

ResponsibleSteel is on the cusp of a new phase. The demand for low-emission, responsibly-produced steel has never been greater. Steelmakers, downstream consumers and investors are increasingly recognising the benefit of having a comprehensive standard and certification programme.

With certified steelmaking sites already in 9 countries across Europe, North and South America, and Australia, the global roll out of the ResponsibleSteel Standard is underway. And amidst growing issues around greenwashing and an increasing urgency amongst policymakers and industry leaders to address the climate crisis, the standard will serve as a technical, practical and auditable roadmap to near zero and responsibility for the steel industry.

Biography:

Annie has spent the past 30 years working on sustainability across both social and environmental issues. Most recently she spent nine years shaping ArcelorMittal’s sustainability agenda, leading on climate stakeholder initiatives, reporting and investor relations at the corporate level. Prior to this, she worked with the global renewable energy firm RES, both on their zero emissions head office and initiating their corporate responsibility programme as the company developed many GW of large and small-scale wind, solar and biomass projects across the world.

Annie has also worked with several non-profit organisations, including Action Aid and Save the Children, where she developed several social development projects alongside industries. She also chairs a community energy company in Hertfordshire.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Oxford. She loves cycling and the outdoors, and also enjoys art.