Abstract: The emission inventory can effectively characterize the pollution characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions in the study area, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of pollutant prevention and control measures as well as collaborative emission reduction strategies. Based on an extensive review of the literature, this study summarizes and organizes the compilation work of the emission inventory for the iron and steel industry across four key aspects: the accounting methods for air pollutants and greenhouse gases (specifically adopting the CO2 emission inventory of the iron and steel industry), global, intercontinental, national, and urban /urban agglomeration's emissions in the iron and steel industry, inventory distribution, and uncertainty analysis, along with limitations and future prospects. It identifies several significant issues within the Chinese steel industry, including problems related to the variety and quality of emission inventory data, the lack of an organized accounting framework, challenges in characterizing VOCs component spectrum and particulate matter profiles in key processes, issues with developing detailed time series for steel enterprises based on CEMS, shortcomings in CO2 accounting systems and methodologies, limitations in temporal resolution, and concerns regarding the application of emissions inventories. It is recommended that future efforts focus on diversifying the types of emission inventory data within the steel industry, strengthening the collection and analysis of measured data to ensure accuracy, and establishing a systematic and comprehensive emission accounting system. Overall optimization of the CO2 accounting system and methods is essential, along with enhancing the temporal resolution of the emission inventory and expanding its application areas. Furthermore, interdisciplinary and international collaboration should be strengthened, ultimately contributing to the control of global air pollutants and greenhouse gases.