Carbon Neutral

The term carbon neutral describes any process that over its duration and the lifespan of its products results in absorbing the same amount of environmentally damaging carbon compounds (primarily CO2) as it releases into the atmosphere. Carbon neutral products and processes are designed to reduce emissions of carbon and sequester any residual emissions. Those processes that release net positive amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere are known as [Page 53]carbon positive, and processes that absorb more CO2 from atmosphere than they produce are known as carbon negative. Global climate change is the consequence of uncontrolled emissions of greenhouse gases, including CO2, methane, and nitrogen oxides.

Biomass (e.g., trees and vegetation) may be carbon neutral if over their life cycle, burning them or converting them to fuel releases the same quantity of carbon into the atmosphere as they absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. However, if the biomass is grown on land that is deforested, or requires external inputs (e.g., nitrogen fertilizer) that emit carbon in their production, biomass may release more carbon than is sequestered while growing. Biofuel is the product of converting biomass to a liquid fuel. Scientists disagree about whether biofuel production is carbon neutral.

Because few processes associated with modern human activity are intrinsically carbon neutral, since the mid-19th century, population growth and increasing rates of industrialization and urbanization have led to dramatic increases in CO2 emissions. As a result, emission reduction efforts have largely been concentrated in cities. To the extent that they are empowered to do so, cities have instituted measures to limit their emissions—reducing traffic congestion, promoting energy conservation, preserving or reintroducing urban forests, introducing reduce-reuse-recycle programs. Cities have also acknowledged that urban forms influence CO2 emissions and they have begun moving away from the suburban development patterns prevalent since the 1950s to more compact forms, which reduce energy demand and dependence on private automobiles.

While many cities have indicated their intentions to become carbon neutral, with so much of the carbon equation out of their control, few have made formal commitments. Six cities that have include Aguascalientes, Mexico; Sydney, Australia; Curitiba, Brazil; Rizhao, China; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Vancouver, Canada. These cities and nine others have formally committed to becoming carbon neutral by joining the United Nations Climate Neutral Network. Ten countries (including New Zealand, Norway, and Pakistan) and 135 companies and organizations are also members. Each member has outlined a plan to achieve carbon neutrality. Of the city plans, some are highly detailed, while others are more conceptual. Most include plans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by developing alternative energy sources and improving public transportation systems. Other common components are reforestation plans and stricter air quality monitoring regulations.

Individuals and private organizations can also strive for carbon-neutral status. These individuals or organizations work toward reducing and/or avoiding emitting carbon into the atmosphere to offset unavoidable or unknown carbon emissions by them. Individuals or organizations seeking to become carbon neutral can limit energy usage and emissions from transportation, buildings, equipments, and other carbon-positive processes in which they are involved. They may use energy generated from renewable sources either directly, by generating it through the use of solar panels, wind turbines, or other geothermal heating sources, or by obtaining energy from an approved green energy provider. They may use low-carbon alternative fuels such as biofuels for heating or transportation. They may plant trees for afforestation to offset some of their carbon-positive practices. Companies dealing with fossil fuels—the biggest offenders of carbon positivity in the atmosphere—should work to lock up carbon on a long-term basis by pumping carbon compounds such as CO2 into old oil wells or coal mines. The process is known as carbon sequestration, a promising method for achieving carbon neutrality.

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