Tata Steel ruled to have misled public with green steel claims

The Advertising Code Committee (RCC) has ruled that Tata Steel is misleading the public with its sustainability advertisements. The decision follows complaints filed by Stichting Urgenda and Stichting Gezondheid op 1 (Gop1).

The RCC found that Tata Steel failed to substantiate its claims regarding “green steel,” CO2 reduction, and “clean” production. Specifically, the company could not prove that its goals—such as a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and becoming “CO2-neutral” by 2045—are realistic or feasible. The committee noted that uncertainties regarding the availability of green hydrogen, necessary permits, and required subsidies were not addressed by the company.

Furthermore, the RCC deemed the use of the term “clean” for new factories misleading, noting that emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter increase during the construction phase. Tata Steel argued that its statements were merely “ambitions” rather than hard claims, but the committee rejected this defense, stating the company failed to provide concrete details on how its reduction targets would be achieved.