Decarbonization is an essential part of energy transition. Learn which course of action to take, including what you can do in your company and your home.
"The largest part of the burning (of fossil fuels) happened since the beginning of Seinfeld. Ever since the end of World War II, this number now is around 85%.”
It’s this way that the American writer and journalist David Foster Wallace describes the history of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2), in his book The Uninhabitable Earth. If you have read it, you know what we’re discussing here. If you haven’t, in this article we’ll explain the urgency in changing energy consumption habits.
What is decarbonization? Breaking down terminology
It’s increasingly more common to see a series of concepts and acronyms going into our daily lexicon, which we can’t always seem to match concrete concepts with. It’s important, then, to clarify.
To decarbonize
Decarbonization consists of the reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Around 86% of carbon dioxide emissions originated from the burning of fossil fuels for the production of energy and materials, therefore the elimination/reduction of the use of energies coming from fossil fuels, like coal, gas, or petrol, is one of the primary courses of action to reduce (and, preferably eliminate) greenhouse gas effect emissions. The remaining emissions come primarily from deforestation and fires.
Energy transition, having in mind more sustainable energy, goes through the progressive replacement of technologies that use fossil fuels, for technologies originating from just renewable sources.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
It’s the main responsible for the greenhouse effect, but there are others, like methane (CH4), nitrogen oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). To make measuring these gas emissions easier, an international scale was outlined: the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), from which other gases are converted into CO2, making it easier to analyze its impact on global warming.
Circular economy
The circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves sharing, renting, reusing, rebuilding, renewing, and recycling existing materials and products, as far as possible. This way, the lifespan of products is enlarged.
Greenhouse effect gas (GEG)
These gases absorb one part of the energy and heat of solar rays and diffuse them through the atmosphere, comprising it from being released into space. They are responsible for life on Earth and warmth. However, when emissions are excessive, the heat formed on our planet is also bigger, inducing global warming and climate change.
Carbon footprint
Carbon is issued in natural processes, such as breathing and decomposing of plants and animals, but it’s through human action that it becomes harmful. Think about what you’re wearing today, the footwear on your feet, the last meal you had, and the means of transportation you chose to go to work, on your cellphone. Do you know the amount of carbon issued to produce it? Carbon footprint is a concept used to calculate the impact of a certain activity, of a person or of a country, when the matter comes to climate change.
How many zeros are in 1 billion?
Data shared by the Global Carbon Project estimated that, in 1950, five years after the end of World War II, the global emissions of carbon dioxide, per year, went from 4 billion to 6 billion tons. In 1989 (the year when Seinfeld started to be released), had already reached 22 billion, and in 2019, Mankind was responsible for the emission of 36,4 billion tons. One billion, in case you’re having doubts, has twelve zeros. Take a moment to take in every one of them (1.000 000 000 000).
Every year the Circularity Gap Report is released, which assesses the state of world circularity, that has the objective to inspire to take action and improve the global circular economy. According to the latest data released, only 8,6% of the world economy is circular. To keep this planet habitable it’s necessary to duplicate this data, which means, to aim at 17%, at least.
One for all, all for one
In 2015, according to the Paris Agreement, every country in the world has taken the commitment to keep global warming under 2º C and to fight against the effects of climate change, by setting goals to reduce carbon emissions. In the UN Climate Change Conference - COP26, dating in late 2021, in Scotland, 190 countries were challenged to reduce emissions by 2030.
The European Union (EU), has committed to reducing, at least, 55% of emissions by 2030. Climate Law establishes, as a goal, carbon neutrality, placing Europe as the first continent to reach zero liquid gas emissions with the greenhouse effect. Among the measures determined, it’s reasonable to concentrate our attention on the following:
European Union Emissions Trading System
It encompasses sectors with carbon emissions, such as thermal power plants, refineries, cement, paper clay, and glass industries, among others. It requires that companies in these sectors should have license permits for each ton of CO2 they issue.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
It consists of pricing carbon related to the goods imported from countries that are not so committed to climate change. The goal is to avoid EU industries to divert their production to countries with less strict regulations on the reduction of gas emissions with the greenhouse effect.
Preparing forests for climate change
According to data from European Parliament, European forests absorb, per year, about 8,9% of GEG in the EU. European legislation intends on preventing emissions caused by deforestation and making the State-Members compensate for the changes in using the soil, by improving the management of emissions or by increasing the forest areas.
Transition into hybrid and electric vehicles
Emissions caused by cars represent 15% of CO2 emissions in the EU. In that sense, measures have been drawn to facilitate the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles.
Small steps that cause big changes
As co-responsible for the problem, we must partake in our share quota of the responsibility in the adoption of measures that works toward the solution.
In companies
A study conducted by the consultant Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that companies can reduce at least 30% of their polluting emissions without net costs for their businesses. The report Winning the Race to Net Zero: The CEO Guide to Climate Advantage, published in January 2022, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, shows that betting on sustainability bears several competitive advantages for companies.
Amongst the measures that can (and should) be adopted, in light of reducing the carbon footprint of a company, are:
- Measurement and analysis of the GEG issued;
- Investment in renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind energy);
- Implementation of solutions and types of equipment that optimize energy cost and consumption;
- Implementation of solutions that promote waste and residue reduction and recycling;
- Adopting digital solutions that support measuring, monitoring, and treatment of data for the management and optimization of processes;
- Betting on digitalization;
- Routes, trips, and travel optimization;
- Awareness and sensitization of collaborators;
- Option to choose partners and suppliers that will adopt eco-friendly policies;
- The support of programs for reforestation.
On our daily basis
Everything always begins with small steps. Move your family, calculate your carbon footprint, and set goals for reduction. Make your children aware and create fun and doable challenges so that they can also participate.
Measure results regularly. There are several calculators online for the carbon footprint: at the United Nations website or Carbon Footprint. In Portuguese, there is the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Brasil. What is within our reach and possible to do:
- Using reusable bags;
- Resorting to our own recipients, when going to a supermarket or for taking away products, instead of single-use plastics;
- Choosing to recharge products;
- Buying just the right portions of foods we need, avoiding food waste;
- Opting for seasonal, organic, and locally manufactured products;
- Reducing meat intake;
- Adhering to community vegetable gardens and producing vegetables we consume;
- Turning electrical appliances when they’re not being used;
- Taking faster showers;
- Closing the tap while we brush our teeth or wash dishes;
- Drying clothes outdoor, instead of using the dryer;
- Recycling;
- Avoiding car and plane trips and favor riding public transportation and bicycle;
Do you know what is the ecological footprint of your flight? Calculate it on the International Civil Aviation Organization, using the available calculator.
- Choosing fish deriving from sustainable fishing;
- Using energy-saving lamps;
- Choosing appliances with better energy performance;
- Recycling furniture and clothing;
- Reducing the use of chemical products;
- Planting trees.
It’s impossible to eliminate carbon footprint in our day-to-day basis. If we can’t avoid it, we can compensate, by supporting reliable projects that are actively committed to reducing emissions. On the platform United Nations Carbon Offset, of the UN, you can find several projects.