What is Carbon-Free Energy, Carbon Neutral, and Decarbonization?
Carbon Reduction Towards a Healthier Planet
You’ve likely heard one, two, or maybe even all of these terms below, as the world is facing an intense crisis of climate change.
Climate change
is affecting human health, the environment, and the economy faster than many realize and much of the impact comes from carbon emissions. Active efforts towards transforming the way energy is produced in a cleaner and more sustainable fashion are being put into action.
Let’s dive into some Carbon energy terms:
What is Carbon-Free Electricity?
Carbon-free Electricity comes from clean energy producing methods that do not use fossil fuels or produce carbon emissions. Examples would be electricity from wind and solar sources. Ananta may be able to assist with your solar needs here.
What is Carbon Neutral?
Carbon Neutral is a policy that focuses on not increasing carbon emissions, while reducing them through offsetting. It means that the amount of C02 being released is equal to the amount being absorbed by the atmosphere.
What is Net-Zero?
Net Zero also refers to offsetting emissions, but at a global scale, and includes all greenhouse gases–not only Carbon Dioxide. The process is when the amount of carbon emissions released by producing energy are offset by the amount removed in the atmosphere by making changes. No more carbon emissions are released than what are taken away, meaning that it leaves the amount at 0 or neutral.
Dig deeper into the difference between Carbon Neutrality and Net-Zero Carbon, here.
Climate Negative Vs. Climate Positive
Climate Negative and climate positive are actually interchangeable which can be confusing. Nevertheless, the goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and both mean removing even more carbon dioxide than what would be required to achieve carbon neutrality, which is overall better for the environment and climate.
What Does Decarbonization Mean?
Decarbonization is the act of removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere. This article by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlights technological, socio-economic, and policy goals to attain net-zero/carbon neutrality through decarbonization.
Companies Who Are Reducing Their Carbon Footprint
Many companies and corporations such as Google, Apple and Coca-Cola have begun to take drastic measures toward reducing their carbon footprint and taking action towards environmental sustainability and energy production. Forbes put together quite a large list of companies that are committed to working towards environmental sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment.
A greener future can also be worked towards with small, actionable steps. Check out this article by the
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, that gives an overview of how taking actionable steps can result in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By using methods to find solutions based in nature and utilizing innovative technology, we are able to work toward
decarbonization, a greener future, and a cleaner, healthier planet.
