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For other uses, see Carbon neutral (disambiguation).
Being carbon neutral, or having a zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset.The carbon neutral concept may be extended to include other greenhouse gases (GHG) measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence -- the impact a GHG has on the atmosphere expressed in the equivalent amount of CO2 . The term climate neutral is used to reflect the fact that it is not just carbon dioxide (CO2), that is driving climate change, even if it is the most abundant, but also encompasses other greenhouse gases regulated by the Kyoto Protocol, namely: methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Both terms are used interchangeably throughout this article. Best practice for organizations and individuals seeking carbon neutral status entails reducing and/or avoiding carbon emissions first so that only unavoidable emissions are offset. The term has two common uses:
The concept may be extended to include other greenhouse gases measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The phrase was the New Oxford American Dictionary’s Word Of The Year for 2006.[4]
[edit] ProcessCarbon, or climate, neutrality it is usually achieved by combining the following steps(although these may vary depending whether the strategy is implemented by individuals, companies, organizations, cities, regions, or countries): [edit] Make the commitmentIn the case of individuals, decision-making is likely to be straightforward, but for more complex set-ups, it usually requires political leadership at the highest level and wide popular agreement that the effort is worth making. [edit] Count and analyzeCounting and analyzing the emissions that need to be eliminated, and the options for doing so, is the most crucial step in the cycle as it enables setting the priorities for action – from the products purchased to energy use and transport – and to start monitoring progress. This can be achieved through a GHG inventory that aims at answering questions such as:
For individuals, carbon calculators simplify compiling an inventory. Typically they measure electricity consumption in kWh, the amount and type of fuel used to heat water and warm the house, and how many kilometres an individual drives, flies and rides in different vehicles. Individuals may also set various limits of the system they are concerned with, e.g. personal GHG emissions, household emissions, or the company they work for. [edit] ActIn starting to work towards climate neutrality, businesses and local administrations can make use of an environmental (or sustainability) management system or EMS established by the international standard ISO 14001 (developed by the International Organization for Standardization). Another EMS framework is EMAS, the European Eco Management and Audit Scheme, used by numerous companies throughout the EU. Many local authorities apply the management system to certain sectors of their administration or certify their whole operations. [edit] ReduceOne of the strongest arguments for reducing GHG emissions is that it will often save money . Energy prices across the world are rising, making it harder to afford to travel, heat and light homes and factories, and keep a modern economy ticking over. So it is both common sense and climate sense to use energy as sparingly as possible. Examples of possible actions to reduce GHG emissions are:
[edit] OffsetCarbon offsets aim to neutralize the amount of GHG contribution by funding projects which should cause an equal reduction of emissions somewhere else, such as tree planting. Under the premise “First reduce what you can, then offset the remainder”, offsetting can be done by supporting a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon credits. [edit] Evaluate and repeat the cycleThis phase includes evaluation of the results and compilation of a list of suggested improvements, with results documented and reported, so that experience gained of what does (and does not) work is shared with those who can put it to good use. Being carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate or state social responsibility and a growing list of corporations and states are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral. Some corporate examples include Dell[5], Google[6][7], HSBC[8], ING Group[9], PepsiCo,[10] and Tesco[11]. Events such as the G8 Summit[12] and organizations like the World Bank[13] are also using offset schemes to become carbon neutral. Artists like The Rolling Stones[14] and Pink Floyd[15] have made albums or tours carbon neutral. [edit] Direct and indirect emissionsTo be considered carbon neutral, an organization must reduce its carbon footprint to zero. Determining what to include in the carbon footprint depends upon the organization and the standards they are following. Generally, direct emissions sources must be reduced and offset completely, while indirect emissions from purchased electricity can be reduced with renewable energy purchases. Direct emissions include all pollution from manufacturing, company owned vehicles and reimbursed travel, livestock and any other source that is directly controlled by the owner. Indirect emissions include all emissions that result from the use or purchase of a product. For instance, the direct emissions of an airline are all the jet fuel that is burned, while the indirect emissions include manufacture and disposal of airplanes, all the electricity used to operate the airline's office, and the daily emissions from employee travel to and from work. In this case, the power company has a direct emission of greenhouse gas, while the office that purchases it considers it an indirect emission. [edit] Simplification of standards and definitionsBefore an agency can certify an organization or individual as carbon neutral, it is important to specify whether indirect emissions are included in the Carbon Footprint calculation.[16] Most Voluntary Carbon neutral certifiers such as Standard Carbon in the US, require both direct and indirect sources to be reduced and offset. As an example, for an organization to be certified carbon neutral by Standard Carbon, it must offset all direct and indirect emissions from travel by 1 lb CO2e per passenger mile, and all non-electricity direct emissions 100%.[17] Indirect electrical purchases must be equalized either with offsets, or renewable energy purchase. This standard differs slightly from the widely used World Resource Institute and may be easier to calculate and apply. The World Resource Institute, in addition to publishing many tables and help aids for calculating carbon footprints, only requires direct emissions to be reduced and balanced for carbon neutral status, however there is adequate encouragement to include all emissions sources. With this accounting, there are essentially two levels of Carbon neutral: Either all direct and indirect emissions, or only direct emissions. Much of the disunity in carbon neutral standards can be attributed to the voluntary nature of carbon offseting and carbon neutrality. The concept of shared resources also reduces the volume of carbon a particular organization has to offset, with all upstream and downstream emissions the responsibility of other organizations or individuals. If all organizations and individuals were involved then this would not result in any double accounting. [edit] Carbon neutral pledgesBeing carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate or state social responsibility and a growing list of corporations, cities and states are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral. [edit] Communities and StatesSeveral countries and communities have pledged carbon, or climate, neutrality. In July 2007, Vatican City announced a plan to become the first carbon neutral state in the world, following the politics of the Pope to eliminate global warming. The goal would be reached through the donation of the Vatican Climate Forest in Hungary. The forest is to be sized to offset the year's carbon dioxide emissions.[19] However, no trees have actually been planted as of 2008.[20]In November 2008, the city state has also installed and put into operation 2,400 solar panels on the roof of the Paul VI Centre audience hall. The Central American nation of Costa Rica aims to be fully carbon neutral before 2030.[22] In 2004, 46.7% of Costa Rica's primary energy came from renewable sources,[23] while 94% of its electricity was generated from hydroelectric power, wind farms and geothermal energy in 2006.[24] A 3.5% tax on gasoline in the country is used for payments to compensate landowners for growing trees and protecting forests and its government is making further plans for reducing emissions from transport, farming and industry. On April 19, 2007, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced to the Labour Party annual congress that Norway's greenhouse gas emissions would be cut by 10 percent more than its Kyoto commitment by 2012, and that the government had agreed to achieve emission cuts of 30% by 2020. He also proposed that Norway should become carbon neutral by 2050, and called upon other rich countries to do likewise.[25] This carbon neutrality would be achieved partly by carbon offsetting, a proposal criticised by Greenpeace, who also called on Norway to take responsibility for the 500m tonnes of emissions caused by its exports of oil and gas.[26] World Wildlife Fund Norway also believes that the purchase of carbon offsets is unacceptable, saying 'it is a political stillbirth to believe that China will quietly accept that Norway will buy climate quotas abroad'.[27] The Norwegian environmental activist Bellona Foundation believes that the prime minister was forced to act due to pressure from anti-European Union members of the coalition government, and called the announcement 'visions without content'.[27] In January 2008 the Norwegian government went a step further and declared a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. But the government has not been specific about any plans to reduce emissions at home; the plan is based on buying carbon offsets from other countries.[28] [edit] CitiesCities and municipalities from across the globe are also coming on board with strategies including clean transport, carbon neutral buildings and awareness raising campaigns. Among the cities that have committed to climate neutrality are: The Norwegian city of Arendal took a decision in 2007 to become a Climate Neutral City. Current goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are stabilization in 2012, and reduction by 25 per cent in 2025 with 1990 as a basis. In 2008, the city plans to offset the remaining emissions through buying emission quotas as recommended by national authorities/the UN. Växjö in Sweden is 2006 pursuing a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per capita since 1993. In 1996, a decision was taken to become a Fossil Fuel Free City. While the city has not decided yet when it should reach that goal, a regional goal which Växjö has also approved says that the region of Kronoberg shall be Fossil Fuel Free by year 2050. In June 2008, the city of Stirling has announced plans to become the UK's first carbon neutral city. To achieve that, the community-led Going Carbon Neutral Stirling (GCNS) project will use the £1.25m funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government. [edit] Other Cities involvedThe Chinese city of Rizhao , which means "the city is the first to get the sunshine", implementing a transition to a low carbon society via a variety of innovative measures including boosting solar power in homes and schools up to harvesting methane as a fuel from industrial waste-water. Close to 100 per cent of urban housing now has solar heaters and 30 per cent ofe City of rural homes. Compared to 2000, the amount of energy used per unit of GDP has fallen by almost a third and C02 emissions by almost half. Vancouver, Canada is aiming to gradually become a carbon neutral city. The milestones are to achieve carbon neutral City operations by 2012; only build carbon neutral new buildings by 2030, and to achieve an 80% reduction in all community GHG emissions by 2050. UNEP Climate Neutral Network Member http://www.climateneutral.unep.org/cnn_members.aspx?m=145
[edit] Companies and OrganizationsSome corporate examples include Dell[5], Google[6][7], HSBC[8], ING Group[9], PepsiCo,[10] and Tesco[11]. [edit] Carbon neutral initiativesMany initiatives seek to assist individuals, businesses and states in reducing their carbon footprint or achieving climate neutrality. These include: the Climate Neutral Network, Caring for Climate, and Together campaign. [edit] Carbon neutral certificationAlthough there is currently no international certification scheme for carbon or climate neutrality, some countries have established national certification schemes. Examples include carboNZero (New Zealand) and the Norwegian Eco-Lighthouse Program [edit] Offset companiesProjects that are supported by offset companies focus on avoiding, reducing or absorbing greenhouse gases by working on energy efficiency, renewable energy and forest sequestration. City of Sydney website: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Environment/GreenhouseAndAirQuality/WhattheCityisdoing/CarbonNeutral.asp [edit] See also
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