According to The Next Web, researchers from the University of Birmingham came up with a solution that works with current-generation furnaces and is able to cut emissions by almost 90%.

Experts say that the steelmaking and iron sectors are responsible for 9% of our total emissions, which is mostly due to the way furnaces work.

The work of Dr Harriet Kildahl, who worked with Professor Yulong Ding, transforms the CO2 generated by burning the ore into carbon monoxide, which is also part of the production process, which means that they are using carbon emissions, instead of wasting them.

This also reduces the amount of coal needed in the process and cuts overall emissions by some 88%.

Professor Ding said that "the system we are proposing can be retrofitted to existing plants, which reduces the risk of stranded assets, and both the reduction in CO2, and the cost savings, are seen immediately."

Researchers are currently trying to find partners to work with in order to further develop the system and implement it in existing steel factories.