In the first half of 2024, China only approved low-carbon steel mills. According to a new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), this is the first time since September 2020 that CO2-intensive steel mills have not received any permits. The authors describe the development as a potential trend reversal for decarbonizing the steel sector. In the first half of the year, permits were issued for new electric arc furnaces with a production capacity of seven million tons per year. While more permits were issued for these lower-CO2 production facilities in the previous six months, large quantities of new coal-based steel plants were also approved.