The steel industry is one of the heavy industries with significant global environmental impacts, and China, as the largest steel-producing country, holds representative significance for global sustainability in the steel production company. This study, based on data from China's largest steel company, quantitatively researched sustainability using a whole life cycle emergy approach and carbon footprint method from 2012 to 2022. The results indicate that, analyzing unit emergy values (UEVs) types, foundational UEVs are the lowest. Gas emissions increase UEVs indicators, with a 5% rise in 2012. Clean energy inputs reduce steel system burdens, lowering UEVs by about 2%. Solid waste and wastewater raise UEVs due to costs, like a 2% increase in 2012. Despite occasional fluctuations, the overall trend shows a decline, nearing the standard value of 1. This signals continuous enhancement in Baosteel Company's port product line sustainability. For instance, the basic ESI dropped from 11.5 in 2012 to 4.2 in 2022, highlighting substantial progress. This consistent improvement underscores Baosteel's dedication to environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and operational efficacy. Moreover, the application of clean energy, waste gas/solid waste/wastewater treatment, energy-saving technologies, intelligent operations, artificial wetland systems, etc., has enhanced the sustainability of the steel production system. In the face of the profound impact of artificial intelligence in the future, the dynamic and long-term sustainable characteristics of the steel product production system will be the focus of the next research steps. The most significant feature of this paper compared to current research is that it evaluates the dynamic relationship between China's steel production and the ecological environment, revealing the ecological energy value and carbon emissions research throughout the entire life cycle of the steel industry.
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