Углеродная нейтральность синоним

Углеродная нейтральность — термин, который означает, что компания сократила до нуля выбросы углекислого газа и его аналогов в процессе своей производственной деятельности или компенсировала эти выбросы за счет углеродно-отрицательных проектов.

Ученые разделяют выбросы компаний на три сферы охвата. Первая сфера охвата (Scope 1) — это прямые выбросы предприятия при производстве. Ко второй сфере охвата (Scope 2) относится потребление энергии. Важно понимать, из каких источников компания получает энергию: угольные станции, АЭС, ГЭС и другое. Третья сфера охвата (Scope 3) включает всю цепочку жизненного цикла товара: закупка сырья, доставка, продажа, использование, утилизация и прочее, то есть напрямую не относящиеся к производителю выбросы.

Сокращение прямых выбросов

Этот способ считается самым эффективным, так как компания устраняет непосредственно источник выбросов CO₂. Хорош он тем, что с его помощью легко определить шаги по сокращению выбросов, поскольку они прямые, а не косвенные. Последние заложены в длинную цепочку жизненного цикла товара, поэтому довольно сложно рассчитать компенсируемый объем эмиссии углекислого газа и определить конечного виновника.

Проблема же состоит в том, что этот путь связан с экономическими ограничениями — сокращение прямых выбросов часто сопряжено с уменьшением объема производства, а значит, с падением доходов предприятия. Если не сокращать производство, финансовых вложений потребуют технологии, которые бы снижали объем выбросов парниковых газов. Зачастую компании просто не идут на это из-за экономической нецелесообразности.

Прямой захват CO₂ из воздуха

Прямой захват CO₂ — это по сути «высасывание» углекислого газа из атмосферы. Его можно закопать под землю на длительное хранение или использовать в химических процессах для производства топлива, пластика и других материалов.

Самый распространенный метод захвата — пропустить воздух над специальной жидкостью. CO₂ прилипает к смеси, а остальной воздух — нет. Затем смесь рециркулируют, выделяя углекислый газ с использованием тепла.

Биоэнергетика с улавливанием углерода (BECCS) — технология, которую можно отнести к прямому захвату выбросов, но улавливание идет не из атмосферы, а при сжигании биомассы. К биомассе относятся растения и сельскохозяйственные культуры.

Плюс такой технологии в том, что она имеет отрицательные выбросы. Растения через фотосинтез поглощают CO₂, а когда их сжигают, они отдают углерод обратно, при этом происходит моментальное улавливание, и углерод не попадает в атмосферу. Таким образом растения поглощают углекислый газ, но затем обратно в атмосферу его не выделяют — так происходят отрицательные выбросы, то есть фактическое уменьшение углекислого газа в общем объеме.

Компенсация через инвестирование в углеродно-отрицательные проекты

Проектов по компенсации углекислого газа очень много. Это может быть как поддержка естественных природных процессов, так и помощь другим компаниям и некоммерческому сектору в сокращении выбросов парниковых газов.

К поддержке природного поглощения относится один из самых популярных способов компенсации — лесовосстановление. Но есть и другие менее известные — например, восстановление среды, где содержится «голубой углерод».

«Голубой углерод» — это углерод, который хранится в прибрежных или морских экосистемах. Мангровые заросли, болота и заросли водорослей по сути являются защитой от изменения климата, так как поглощают CO₂ из атмосферы. Этот процесс происходит даже быстрее чем у лесов. Сегодня уже есть примеры того, как компании вкладывают деньги в восстановление мангровых лесов в Юго-Восточной Азии.

Другой способ — повышение продуктивности океана. В большинстве своем это пока лишь теоретические исследования. Одна из идей состоит в том, чтобы добавить питательное железо в те части океана, где его не хватает. Это должно вызвать ускоренное цветение микроскопических растений (фитопланктона), которые через фотосинтез улавливают углекислый газ.

Почему компенсация выбросов не решит проблему климата

Научно-консультативный совет европейских академий наук (EASAC) в 2018 году выпустил доклад, в котором говорится, что все известные технологии предлагают лишь ограниченный потенциал для удаления углекислого газа из атмосферы, то есть одними лишь компенсациями и прямым улавливанием мы не сможем достичь тех целей, которые ставит Парижское соглашение по климату. В отчете также говорится, что некоторые методы добиться углеродной нейтральности и вовсе могут нанести еще больший вред окружающей среде.

Пока технология по удалению углекислого газа нигде не применяется массово, поэтому сложно подсчитать экологический эффект от нее. Сам же метод требует большого количества энергетических и водных ресурсов, что может в будущем просто нивелировать положительный эффект от удаления CO₂ и вызвать обратный результат. Более того, масштабное строительство сооружений для улавливания парниковых газов может негативно сказаться на земных и водных экосистемах.

Ученые пришли к общему мнению, что самый эффективный способ борьбы с изменением климата — прямое сокращение выбросов. «Основное внимание должно быть уделено смягчению последствий, сокращению выбросов парниковых газов. Это будет нелегко, но, несомненно, будет проще, чем применять углеродно-отрицательные технологии в значительных масштабах», — говорит профессор наук о Земле Оксфордского университета Гидеон Хендерсон.

По мнению Михаила Юлкина, гендиректора Центра экологических инвестиций и компании «КарбонЛаб», бизнес не должен ограничиваться только своими прямыми выбросами. «Если компания заявляет, что она углеродно-нейтральная только с точки зрения своих прямых выбросов (Scope 1), то это немного походит на гринвошинг. Углеродный след включает в себя все выбросы компании, связанные так или иначе с ее деятельностью: сырье, производство, поставка, использование, захоронение и переработка, то есть весь жизненный цикл продукта», — отмечает эксперт.

У российского нефтегазового сектора возникают сложности с пониманием того, что необходимо учитывать не только прямые выбросы от своего производства, но и косвенные, то есть те, которые образуются при использовании нефтепродуктов. По мнению Юлкина, подобные трудности есть и у автомобильной индустрии в России. Они готовы отчитываться за прямые выбросы, но в то же время перекладывают ответственность за автомобильные выхлопы на потребителей.

Что не так с посадками деревьев?

Лесовосстановление или облесение (выращивание леса там, где его никогда не было) для компаний самый понятный и простой в реализации способ компенсации углеродного следа. Но у этого метода есть свои недостатки.

Во-первых, лес очень долго растет. Чтобы дерево начало поглощать углекислый газ, должно пройти 15-20 лет, прежде чем оно вырастет из саженца во взрослое дерево. Во-вторых, деревья не так быстро поглощают CO₂, то есть выполнить цели Парижского соглашения таким способом не получится. Средний показатель (сильно зависит от породы дерева) — около 4 т CO2 на 1 га леса в год. Например, рейс из Москвы в Сочи производит эмиссию углекислого газа в 13 т.

Отсюда вытекает другая проблема — необходимы огромные территории под посадки. Глава нефтегазового концерна Shell Бен ван Берден заявил о том, что нужно вырастить тропический лес размером с Бразилию, чтобы удержать потепление в пределах предписанных соглашением 1,5 °C, а это почти 6% от всей площади суши мира.

Самый важный вопрос состоит в том, можно ли считать высадки деревьев устойчивым лесоуправлением? «Чтобы деятельность считалась лесовосстановлением или облесением, участки должны быть переведены в лесной фонд, за ними должен быть контроль и учет. Компания должна нести полную ответственность за то, что происходит на территории. Если ты просто посадил деревья на пикнике, то это никакого отношения к поглощению углерода из атмосферы не имеет, это просто развлечение», — поясняет Юлкин из «КарбонЛаб».

Часто многие деревья просто не приживаются или умирают до того, как достигают зрелого возраста. В этом случае никакой компенсации выбросов не произойдет. Также необходимо понимать, что будет с деревом после его гибели, когда оно начнет выделять CO₂ обратно. Если компания (или ответственный подрядчик) не следит и не контролирует свои посадки, а полагается на волю случая, то это скорее гринвошинг, а не компенсация.

Юлкин предлагает сначала проанализировать собственные технологии и понять, насколько они эффективны в устранении прямой эмиссии парниковых газов. Потом свести до минимума свои косвенные выбросы (Scope 3), а компенсировать лишь остаток. Вкладываться лучше в те проекты, которые гарантировано убирают источник парниковых газов, например, возобновляемая энергетика. «Лес — это не универсальный способ компенсировать выбросы, наоборот, один из самых сложных, хоть кажется самым доступным, но там много подводных камней» — говорит эксперт.

Как компании достигают углеродной нейтральности?

Глава ИТ-гиганта Google Сундар Пичаи осенью 2020 года сделал заявление о том, что уже в 2007 году компании удалось стать углеродно-нейтральной. Кроме того, она уже компенсировала все выбросы, произведенные ей за свою историю. Google также стал крупнейшим в мире покупателем возобновляемой энергии. В планах корпорации — к 2030 году полностью обеспечивать себя энергией из возобновляемых источников.

Что делает Google, чтобы быть углеродно-нейтральной компанией? Как и многие другие компании, она занимается посадками деревьев и спонсирует проекты, которые уменьшают количество углерода в атмосфере, например, очистка выбросов от свиноферм и мусорных свалок.

Другой ИТ-гигант Microsoft взял на себя обязательства удалить весь углерод, который он произвел с момента своего основания, то есть, с 1975 года. К 2030 году Microsoft планирует стать не просто нейтральной компанией, а углеродно-отрицательной, то есть удалять CO₂ из атмосферы больше, чем производит.

К подобным заявлениям об углеродной нейтральности присоединилась и компания Apple. Она объявила, что будет инвестировать в развитие солнечной энергетики для собственного потребления и для малообеспеченных семей на Филиппинах, в восстановление мангровых лесов, разработку безуглеродного процесса плавки алюминия и другое.

О планах стать углеродно-нейтральной говорит одна из самых «грязных» индустрий — индустрия моды. Группа брендов Kering, куда входят Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen и другие, заявила, что будет стремиться к углеродной нейтральности и к 2025 году сократит собственные выбросы парниковых газов в два раза. Дом Gucci уже объявил себя полностью углеродно-нейтральным брендом.

Углеродно-нейтральными стремятся стать не только компании, но и международные мероприятия. В стратегии ФИФА есть обязательный пункт о компенсации выбросов, которые непосредственно может контролировать футбольная федерация.

Впрочем, более 50% всей эмиссии парниковых газов от проведения мировых турниров приходится на международные перелеты болельщиков. Эти выбросы ФИФА компенсирует по остаточному принципу — на те деньги, которые заплатили пассажиры в виде добровольного экологического сбора. За ЧМ-2018, который прошел в России, ФИФА компенсировала более 243 тыс. т контролируемых выбросов и 16 тыс. т выбросов от перелетов.

На какие проекты пошли деньги? Хоть чемпионат проходил в России, но деньги распределяются по всему миру.

• Так, в Костромской области в рамках ЧМ-2018 был проинвестирован переход деревообрабатывающего завода с ископаемого топлива на биомассу в качестве источника энергии. Биомассой стали древесные отходы самого предприятия, то есть, фактически, на заводе была внедрена циклическая экономика. До этого отходы попросту размещались на ближайшей свалке, выделяя метан.
• Еще шесть проектов было проинвестировано за пределами России. В Индии на реке Рангит построили гидроэлектростанцию. В качестве компенсации выбросов парниковых газов ФИФА также направила деньги в проект по модернизации обработки отходов свинофермы в Чили. В Кении было налажено производство электрических кухонных плит, которыми стали пользоваться преимущественно в сельской местности, чтобы заменить традиционные «очаги из трех камней». На завод по обработке пальмового масла в Таиланде было закуплено новое очистное оборудование. В Бразилии были построены две ГЭС, а в Пакистане — запущен проект по снижению выбросов оксида азота.

Следующий чемпионат мира по футболу, который пройдет в Катаре в 2022 году, по планам ФИФА должен стать углеродно-нейтральным, впервые в истории. Однако тут есть масса проблем — федерация может отвечать лишь за свои выбросы, но не за те, которые производят болельщики.

В идеальном сценарии компания, которая взяла курс на углеродную нейтральность, должна работать в двух направлениях. Приоритетное — сокращение своих выбросов при производстве и транспортировке продукта, а также переход на возобновляемые источники энергии, другое направление — инвестирование в углеродно-отрицательные проекты, чтобы компенсировать те выбросы, которые по каким-либо причинам убрать невозможно.

---

Подпишитесь на наш «Зеленый» канал в Telegram. Публикуем свежие исследования, эко-новости и советы, которые помогут жить, не вредя природе.

Carbon neutrality is a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by ending the use of coal, oil and gas to the extent that there is dramatically reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and removal carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.^[1] The term is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transport, energy production, agriculture, and industry.

Although the term «carbon neutral» is used, a carbon footprint also includes other greenhouse gases, measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The term climate-neutral reflects the broader inclusiveness of other greenhouse gases in climate change, even if CO₂ is the most abundant.

The term net zero is increasingly used to describe a broader and more comprehensive commitment to decarbonization and climate action, moving beyond carbon neutrality by including more activities under the scope of indirect emissions, and often including a science-based target on emissions reduction, as opposed to relying solely on offsetting. Some climate scientists have stated that «the idea of net zero has licensed a recklessly cavalier ‘burn now, pay later’ approach which has seen carbon emissions continue to soar.»^[2]

Method[edit]

Carbon-neutral status can be achieved in two ways,^[3] although a combination of the two is most likely required:

Ending emissions[edit]

Ending carbon emissions can be done by moving towards energy sources and industry processes that produce no greenhouse gases, thereby transitioning to a zero-carbon economy.^[4] Shifting towards the use of renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, and solar power,^[5] zero-energy systems like passive daytime radiative cooling,^[6] as well as nuclear power,^[7] reduces greenhouse gas emissions.^[8] Although both renewable and non-renewable energy production produce carbon emissions in some form, renewable sources produce negligible to almost zero carbon emissions.^[9] Transitioning to a low-carbon economy would also mean making changes to current industrial and agricultural processes to reduce carbon emissions, for example, diet changes to livestock such as cattle can potentially reduce methane production by 40%.^[10] Carbon projects and emissions trading are often used to reduce carbon emissions, and carbon dioxide can even sometimes be prevented from entering the atmosphere entirely (such as by carbon scrubbing).

One way to implement carbon-neutral products is by making these products cheaper and more cost effective than carbon positive fuels.^[11] Various companies have pledged to become carbon neutral or negative by 2050, some of which include: Microsoft,^[12] Delta Air Lines,^[13] BP,^[13] IKEA,^[14] and BlackRock,^[15] although these distant pledges are typically not matched by real action and are often greenwashing – for instance with BP spending more on fossil fuels in 2022 than renewables despite its net zero pledge.^[16]

Carbon offsetting[edit]

Balancing remaining carbon dioxide emissions with carbon offsets is the process of reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to make up for emissions elsewhere.^[17] If the total greenhouse gases emitted is equal to the total amount avoided or removed, then the two effects cancel each other out and the net emissions are ‘neutral’.^[18]

Process[edit]

Carbon neutrality is usually achieved by combining the following steps, although these may vary depending whether the strategy is being implemented by individuals, companies, organizations, cities, regions, or countries:

Commitment[edit]

In the case of individuals, decision-making is likely to be straightforward, but for more complex institutions it usually requires political leadership and popular agreement that the effort is worth making.

Commitment from countries and the organizations within is critical to the forward movement of Carbon Neutrality. The Net Zero Challenge Report states that «commitments made by governments so far are far from sufficient.»^[22] One way to obtain more commitment would be to set carbon-neutral goals but allow flexibility for the organizations and governments to decide how to achieve these goals.^[23]

Counting and analyzing[edit]

Counting and analyzing the emissions that need to be eliminated, and how it can be done, is an important step in the process of achieving carbon neutrality, as it establishes the priorities for where action needs to be taken and progress can begin being monitored. This can be achieved through a greenhouse gas inventory that aims to answer questions such as:

• Which operations, activities and units should be targeted?
• Which sources should be included (see section Direct and indirect emissions)?
• Who is responsible for which emissions?
• Which gases should be included?

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 kilometers an individual drives, flies and rides in different vehicles. Individuals may also set the limits of the system they are concerned with, for example, whether they want to balance out their personal greenhouse gas emissions, their household emissions, or their company’s.

There are plenty of carbon calculators available online, which vary significantly in the parameters they measure. Some, for example, factor in only cars, aircraft and household energy use. Others cover household waste or leisure interests as well. In some circumstances, going beyond carbon neutral and becoming carbon negative (usually after a certain length of time taken to reach carbon breakeven) is an objective.

Cities and countries are challenging for carbon counting and analyzing. This is because the production of goods and services within their territory can be linked either to domestic consumption or exports. On the other hand, citizens also consume imported goods and services. To avoid double counting in the calculation of emissions, it should be specified where the emissions should be counted: at the point of production or consumption. This can be complicated given the long production chains in a globalized economy.^[24] In addition, embodied energy and the consequences of large-scale resource extraction needed for renewable energy systems and EV batteries are likely to present their own complications – local point-of-use emissions are likely to be greatly reduced, but life cycle emissions may still remain significant.^[25]

Reduction[edit]

One of the strongest arguments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is that it will often save money. Examples of possible actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are:

• Limiting energy usage and emissions from transportation (walking, using bicycles or public transport, avoiding flying, using low-energy vehicles, carpooling), as well as from buildings, equipment, animals and processes.
• Obtaining electricity and other forms of energy from zero or low carbon energy sources.
• Electrification: using electrical energy, ideally from non-emitting sources, rather than combustion. For example, in transportation (e.g., electric vehicles and electric trains) and heating (e.g. heat pumps and electric heating).^[26]

Wind power, nuclear power, hydropower, solar power, and geothermal are the energy sources with the lowest life-cycle emissions, which includes deployment and operations.^[5][8]

Offsetting[edit]

Carbon offsetting is the practice of removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere equivalent to the emissions generated by other activities. This is often done by paying «projects that either emit fewer emissions at source, such as cleaner energy production, or remove them from the atmosphere, such as forestry schemes.»^[27] This aims to neutralize a certain volume of greenhouse gas emissions by funding activities which are expected to cause an equivalent reduction elsewhere, for example, with paid-for ecosystem services, such as blue carbon. Offsetting schemes can also have significant co-benefits such as improving quality of life and reducing poverty.^[28]

Carbon offsetting has been critiqued on several fronts. One of the main concerns has been the potential for offsets to delay needed action on active emissions reductions.^[29] In 2007, for example, in a report from the Transnational Institute, Kevin Smith likens carbon offsets to medieval indulgences where people pay «offset companies to absolve them of their carbon sins.»^[30] This, he contends, permits a «business as usual» attitude that stifles the required major changes. Offsets have also been widely criticised for playing a part in greenwashing, an argument which has even mobilised in a 2021 watchdog ruling against Shell.^[31]

Another critique of offsetting has been that loose regulation of claims by carbon offsetting schemes that, combined with the difficulties in calculating greenhouse gas sequestration and emissions reductions, can result in schemes that do not in reality adequately offset emissions.^[29] Moves have been made to create better regulation. The United Nations, for instance, has operated a certification process for carbon offsets since 2001 called the Clean Development Mechanism.^[32][33] This aims to stimulate «sustainable development and emission reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how they meet their emission reduction limitation targets.»^[32] However, the UK Government’s Climate Change Committee has also noted that «Although standards both globally and in the UK are being improved, the risk remains that the emissions reduction or removal reported may have happened anyway or may not persist into the future.»^[29]

Criticisms have also been levelled at the use of non-native and monocultural forest plantations as carbon offsets for its «limited—and at times negative—effects on native biodiversity» and other ecosystem services.^[34]

Evaluation and repeating[edit]

This 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. Science and technology move on, regulations become tighter, the standards people demand go up. So the second cycle will go further than the first, and the process will continue, each successive phase building on and improving on what went before.^{[citation needed]}

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. Events such as the G8 Summit^[35] and organizations like the World Bank^[36] are also using offset schemes to become carbon neutral. Artists like The Rolling Stones^[37] and Pink Floyd^[38] have made albums or tours carbon neutral.

Direct and indirect emissions[edit]

To 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 another example, the power company has a direct emission of greenhouse gas, while the office that purchases it considers it an indirect emission.^{[citation needed]}

Cities and countries represent a challenge with regard to emissions counting as production of goods and services within their territory can be related either to domestic consumption or exports. Conversely the citizens also consume imported goods and services. To avoid double counting in any emissions calculation it should be made clear where the emissions are to be counted: at the site of production or consumption. This may be complicated given long production chains in a globalized economy. Moreover, the embodied energy and consequences of large-scale raw material extraction required for renewable energy systems and electric vehicle batteries is likely to represent its own complications – local emissions at the site of utilization are likely to be very small but life-cycle emissions can still be significant.^[25]

Carbon is used as both a source of electricity and a feedstock in energy-intensive industries, making decarbonization impossible. If CO₂ emissions and sources are to be captured and stopped from entering the atmosphere, an alternate chemical solution must be formulated that achieves the desired output while not releasing CO₂ as a by-product.^[39][40]

Simplification of standards and definitions[edit]

Carbon neutral fuels are those that neither contribute to nor reduce the amount of carbon into the atmosphere. Before 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.^[41] Most Voluntary Carbon neutral certifiers 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, it must offset all direct and indirect emissions from travel by 1 lb CO₂e per passenger mile, and all non-electricity direct emissions 100%.^[42] Indirect electrical purchases must be equalized either with offsets, or renewable energy purchases. This standard differs slightly from the widely used World Resources Institute and may be easier to calculate and apply.^{[citation needed]}

Much of the confusion in carbon neutral standards can be attributed to the number of voluntary carbon standards which are available. For organizations looking at which carbon offsets to purchase, knowing which standards are robust, credible and permanent is vital in choosing the right carbon offsets and projects to get involved in. Some of the main standards in the voluntary market include Verified Carbon Standard, Gold Standard and The American Carbon Registry. In addition companies can purchase Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) which result from mitigated carbon emissions from United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change approved projects for voluntary purposes. 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.

Regarding terminology in UK, in December 2011 the Advertising Standards Authority (in an ASA decision which was upheld by its Independent Reviewer, Sir Hayden Phillips) controversially ruled that no manufactured product can be marketed as «zero-carbon», because carbon was inevitably emitted during its manufacture. This decision was made in relation to a solar panel system whose embodied carbon was repaid during 1.2 years of use and it appears to mean that no buildings or manufactured products can legitimately be described as zero carbon in its jurisdiction.^[43]

Certification[edit]

Although there is currently no international certification scheme for carbon or climate neutrality, some countries have established national certification schemes. Examples include Norwegian Eco-Lighthouse Program and the Australian government’s Climate Active certification. In the private sector, organizations such as ClimatePartner can, for a fee, allow companies from many sectors to offset their carbon emissions using techniques like reforestation. These companies can then claim climate neutral status and even use the title online. However, there is no international clarity around these certifications and their validity.

Certifications are also available from the CEB,^[44] BSI (PAS 2060) and The CarbonNeutral Company (CarbonNeutral).^[45]

Criticism[edit]

Tracing the history of certain illusions in climate policy from 1988 to 2021, climate scientists James Dyke, Robert Watson, and Wolfgang Knorr «[arrive] at the painful realisation that the idea of net zero has licensed a recklessly cavalier ‘burn now, pay later’ approach which has seen carbon emissions continue to soar…
Current net zero policies will not keep warming to within 1.5 °C because they were never intended to. They were and still are driven by a need to protect business as usual, not the climate. If we want to keep people safe then large and sustained cuts to carbon emissions need to happen now. …The time for wishful thinking is over.»^[2]

In March 2021, Tzeporah Berman, chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, argued that the Treaty would be a more genuine and realistic way to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement than the «Net zero» approach which, she claimed, is «delusional and based on bad science.»^[46]

Eric Reguly, of The Globe and Mail states that, «The net-zero pledges are both welcome and dubious.
Most are back-end loaded, meaning the majority of the cuts are to come well after 2030… Most of these targets also assume…steady technological advances and outright breakthroughs…Fossil fuel exports will not figure into the national accounting for the net-zero goal.»^[47]

In his 16-page report, Dangerous Distractions, economist Marc Lee states that, «‘Net zero’ has the potential to be a dangerous distraction that reduces the political pressure to achieve actual emission reductions…»^[48][49] «A net zero target means less incentive to get to ‘real zero’ emissions from fossil fuels, an escape hatch that perpetuates business as usual and delays more meaningful climate action…Rather than gambling on carbon removal technologies of the future, Canada should plan for a managed wind down of fossil fuel production and invest public resources in bona fide solutions like renewables and a just transition from fossil fuels.»^[49][48]

History[edit]

In 2006, the New Oxford American Dictionary made the term carbon-neutral word of the year.^[50]

In December 2020, five years after the Paris Agreement, the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres warned that the commitments made by countries in Paris were not sufficient and were not respected. He has urged all other countries to declare climate emergencies until carbon neutrality is reached.^[51]

In May 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published Net Zero by 2050, a comprehensive study to demonstrate what changes would need to be done in order for the world to reach net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. It compared the current state of affairs with projections matching the changes the report suggested in order to demonstrate a possible path towards the carbon neutrality goal.^[52]

Examples of pledges[edit]

Being 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. Many countries have also announced dates by which they want to be carbon neutral, with many of them targeting the year 2050. However, setting an earlier date (i.e. 2025,^[53] 2030,^[54] or 2045^[55]) may be considered to send out a stronger signal internationally,^[56][57] and is recommended by the Climate Crisis Advisory Group.^[58] Also, delaying significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is increasingly being considered to not be a financially sound idea.^[59][60]

Companies and organizations[edit]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2019)

The original Climate Neutral Network was an Oregon-based non-profit organization founded by Sue Hall and incorporated in 1999 to persuade companies that being climate neutral was potentially cost saving as well as environmentally sustainable. It developed both the Climate Neutral Certification and Climate Cool brand name with key stakeholders such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency, The Nature Conservancy, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Conservation International, and the World Resources Institute and succeeded in enrolling the 2002 Winter Olympics to compensate for its associated greenhouse gas emissions.^[61]

Few companies have actually attained Climate Neutral Certification, applying to a rigorous review process and establishing that they have achieved absolute net zero or better impact on the world’s climate. Another reason that companies have difficulty in attaining the Climate Neutral Certification is due the lack clear guidelines on what it means to make a carbon neutral development.^[62] Shaklee Corporation became the first Climate Neutral certified company in April 2000. The company employs a variety of investments, and offset activities, including tree-planting, use of solar energy, methane capture in abandoned mines and its manufacturing processes.^[63] Climate Neutral Business Network states that it certified Dave Matthews Band’s concert tour as Climate Neutral. The Christian Science Monitor criticized the use of NativeEnergy, a for-profit company that sells offset credits to businesses and celebrities like Dave Matthews.^[64]

Salt Spring Coffee became carbon neutral by lowering emissions through reducing long-range trucking and using bio-diesel fuel in delivery trucks,^[65] upgrading to energy efficient equipment and purchasing carbon offsets. The company claims to the first carbon neutral coffee sold in Canada.^[66] Salt Spring Coffee was recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation in their 2010 report Doing Business in a New Climate.^[67]

Some corporate examples of self-proclaimed carbon neutral and climate neutral initiatives include Dell,^[68] Google,^[69] HSBC,^[70] ING Group,^[71] PepsiCo, Sky Group,^[72][73] Tesco,^[74][75] Toronto-Dominion Bank,^[76] Asos^[77] and Bank of Montreal.^[78]

Under the leadership of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations pledged to work towards climate neutrality in December 2007. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced it was becoming climate neutral in 2008 and established a Climate Neutral Network to promote the idea in February 2008.

Events such as the G8 Summit and organizations like the World Bank are also using offset schemes to become carbon neutral. Artists like The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd have made albums or tours carbon neutral, while Live Earth says that its seven concerts held on 7 July 2007 were the largest carbon neutral public event in history.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were the first carbon neutral Games in history.^[79]

Buildings, in 2019, made up 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions.^[80]: 7 The American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment is a voluntary program for AIA member firms and other entities in the built environment that asks these organizations to pledge to design all their buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030.^[81]

In 2010, architectural firm HOK worked with energy and daylighting consultant The Weidt Group to design a 170,735-square-foot (15,861.8 m²) net zero carbon emissions Class A office building prototype in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.^[82]

Goodvalley^[83] became a carbon neutral company as the first pork meat producer. It was possible by lowering greenhouse gases emission at every stage of production. In addition to reducing its primary carbon footprint, the company achieves carbon neutrality by producing green energy from its agricultural biogas plants. The sum of CO₂ emissions and reductions are calculated by NIRAS and since 2018, the calculation has labelled Goodvalley Group Corporate Carbon Neutral. The certification is done according to ISO-14064 and verified by TÜV Rheinland.^[84]

Since 2019, an increasing number of business organisations have committed to attaining carbon neutrality by, or before, 2050,^[85] such as Microsoft (2030), Amazon (2040), and L’Oreal (2050).^[86]

In 2020, BlackRock, the world’s largest investment firm, announced that it would begin making decisions with climate change and sustainability in mind, and begin exiting assets that it believed represented a «high sustainablilty-related risk».^[87] Activists have accused the company of greenwashing, as it still has a considerable amount of money invested in coal companies.^[88] In CEO Larry Fink’s 2021 annual letter, however, he further pushed for businesses to begin laying out explicit plans on how they will be carbon neutral by 2050.^[89]

Countries and nations[edit]

Eight countries have achieved or surpassed carbon neutrality:Bhutan, Comoros, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Niue, Panama, Suriname. Those countries generally protect their ecosystems and have relatively little industry sector. Gabon has been described as a model for environmental conservation while Suriname has begun to use its forests for carbon credits.^[90]

The 3 carbon negative countries formed a small coalition at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference and asked for help so that other countries will join it.^[94]

As of October 2021, numerous countries/nations have pledged carbon neutrality, including:^[95][96]

Country/nation	Target	Source(s)
Year	Status
Andorra	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[97]
Argentina	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[98]
Australia	2050	Law	[99]
Austria	2040	Coalition agreement	[96][100][101][102]
Bahrain	2060	Statement of intent	[103]
Bangladesh	2050	Under discussion	[104]
Belgium	2050	Policy position	[105]
Brazil	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[106]
Canada	2050	Law	[96]
China	2060	Policy position	[107]
Chile	2050	Under discussion	[96]
Colombia	2050	Statement of intent	[108][109]
Costa Rica	2050	Policy position	[96]
Croatia	2050	Statement of intent	[110]
Denmark	2050	Law	[96]
Ethiopia	2025 or 2030	Policy position	[111][112]
European Union	2050	Political agreement	[113][114]
Fiji	2050	Pledged towards the Paris agreement	[96]
Finland	2035	Coalition agreement	[96]
France	2050	Law	[96]
Hungary	2050	Law	[96]
Iceland	2040	Policy position	[96]
India	2070	Pledge	[115]
Indonesia	2060	Policy position	[104]
Germany	2045	Law	[116]
Grenada	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[96]
Greece	2050	Under discussion	[104]
Ireland	2050	Coalition agreement	[96]
Israel	2050	Policy position	[117]
Japan	2050	Law	[118]
Kazakhstan	2060	Submission to UNFCCC	[119]
Luxembourg	2050	Law	[120][104]
Maldives	2030	Submission to UNFCCC	[120]
Marshall Islands	2050	Pledged towards the Paris agreement	[96]
Mexico			[121]
Nauru	2050	Policy position	[104]
Nepal	2050	Pledged towards the Paris agreement	[96]
Netherlands	2050	Pledge	[122]
New Zealand	2050	Law	[123]
Niue	2050	Under discussion	[104]
Norway	2050 (actual)	Policy position	[96]
2030 (offsets)
Pakistan	2050	Under discussion	[104]
Panama	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[96]
Paraguay	2050	Policy position	[124]
Peru	2050	Policy position	[125]
Portugal	2050	Policy position	[96]
Russia	2060	Pledge	[126]
Saudi Arabia	2060	Pledge	[127]
Scotland	2045	Law	[128]
Singapore	2060	Submission to UNFCCC	[96]
Slovakia	2050	Policy position	[96]
Slovenia	2050	Policy position	[129]
South Africa	2050	Policy position	[96]
South Korea	2050	Law	[96][130]
Sri Lanka	2060	Policy position	[104]
Spain	2050	Law	[96][131]
Sweden	2045	Law	[96][132]
Switzerland	2050	Policy position	[96]
Timor-Leste			[133]
Turkey	2053	Policy position	[134]
Ukraine	2060	Statement of intent	[135][136]
United Arab Emirates	2050	Statement of intent	[137]
United States	2050	Statement of intent	[96]
United Kingdom	2050	Law	[96]
Uruguay	2030	Pledged towards the Paris agreement	[96]
Uzbekistan	2050		[138]
Vatican City	2050	Submission to UNFCCC	[98]
Vietnam	2050	Pledge	[139]

Canada[edit]

On 24 September 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to make Canada carbon neutral by 2050 if re-elected.^[140] On 21 October 2019, Trudeau was re-elected, and in December 2019, the Canadian government formally announced its goal for Canada to be carbon neutral by 2050.^[141] In its speech from the throne, which was delivered on 23 September 2020, the federal government pledged to legislate its goal of making Canada carbon neutral by 2050.^[142]

The city of Edmonton, Alberta, is currently developing a carbon neutral community called Blatchford, on the grounds of its former City Centre Airport.^[143]

China[edit]

By 2020, China has announced its goal of achieving carbon neutrality and has decided to complete this strategic plan by 2060.^[144] It suggested that economic growth does not necessarily have to slow down to attain the goal. Since the Communist Party’s 18th National Congress, China has completed 960 million mu (about 64 million hectares) afforestation. The forest cover increases by 2.68%–23.04%^[145]

Costa Rica[edit]

Costa Rica aims to be fully carbon neutral by at least 2050.^[146][147] In 2004, 46.7% of Costa Rica’s primary energy came from renewable sources,^[148] while 94% of its electricity was generated from hydroelectric power, wind farms and geothermal energy in 2006.^[149] 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. In 2019, Costa Rica was one of the first countries that crafted a national decarbonization plan.^[146]

European Union[edit]

The EU has intermediate targets and in 2019 the bloc, with the exception of Poland, agreed to set a 2050 target for carbon neutrality.^[150]

The European Union has become the first area to embrace climate neutrality by 2050 through the European Green Deal, being committed to forming Green Alliances with partner nations and regions across the world.^{[151][152][153]}

On 29 September 2021, the EU Commission launched 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, one of the five EU missions. This EU mission aims to have 100+ carbon-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and also, inspire other cities towards the EU target of carbon neutrality by 2050.^[154]

On 28 April 2022, the EU Commission announced a list of 112 cities, which were selected from more than 370 cities, who have pledged to be part of the EU mission’s goal of 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030.^[155][154]

France[edit]

On 27 June 2019, the French National Assembly voted into law the first article in a climate and energy package that sets goals for France to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and go carbon-neutral by 2050 in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement.^[156] This was approved by the French Senate on 18 July 2019.^[157]

Japan[edit]

In October 2020, Japan announced its plans to reach carbon neutrality in real terms by 2050, this passed the National Diet and was codified in law on 26 May 2021.^[158]

Maldives[edit]

In March 2009, Mohamed Nasheed, then president of the Maldives, pledged to make his country carbon-neutral within a decade by moving to wind and solar power.^[159] After he left the office, successive administrations abandoned the plan.^[160]

New Zealand[edit]

On 7 November 2019, New Zealand passed a bill requiring the country to be net zero for all greenhouse gases by 2050 (with the exception of biogenic methane, with plans to reduce that by 24–47% below 2017 levels by 2050).^{[161][162][163]}

Spain[edit]

In Spain, in 2014, the island of El Hierro became carbon neutral (for its power production).^[164][165] Also, the city of Logroño Montecorvo in La Rioja will be carbon neutral once completed.^[166][167]

In May 2021, Spain adopted the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.^[131] In October 2021, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez released Spain 2050 report which sets 50 milestones towards Spain’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality.^[168]

Sweden[edit]

Sweden aims to become carbon neutral by 2045.^[169] The Climate Act which enforces actions towards that goal was established in June 2017 and implemented in the beginning of 2018, making Sweden the first country with a legally-binding carbon neutrality target.^[170] The vision is that net greenhouse gas emissions should be zero. The overall objective is that the increase in global temperature should be limited to two degrees, and that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stabilizes at a maximum of 400 ppm.^[171]

In April 2022 an agreement between major parties in the Swedish Parliament was reached to include consumption and exports in its carbon neutrality target, which would make Sweden the first country in the world to include emissions from international trade in the pledges to mitigate climate change.^[172]

South Korea[edit]

South Korea aims to be carbon neutral by 2050,^[173][174] and enacted, on 31 August 2021, the enactment of the Carbon Neutral and Green Growth Basic Act, which stipulates the achievement of greenhouse gas reduction.^[130] This bill, also called the ‘Climate Crisis Response Act’, mandates, by 2030, a 35% greenhouse gas reduction in the country compared to 2018.^[130]

Vatican City[edit]

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 have been reached through a forest donated by a carbon offsetting company, which would have been located in the Bükk National Park, Hungary.^[175] Eventually no trees were planted under the project and the carbon offsets did not materialise.^[176][177]

In November 2008, the city state also installed and put into operation 2,400 solar panels on the roof of the Paul VI Centre audience hall.^[178]

United Kingdom[edit]

As recommended by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) the government has legally committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the United Kingdom by 2050^[179] and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has said it would be affordable. A range of techniques will be required including carbon sinks (greenhouse gas removal) in order to counterbalance emissions from agriculture and aviation. These carbon sinks might include reforestation, habitat restoration, soil carbon sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage and even direct air capture.^[180]

In 2020, the UK government has linked attainment of net zero targets as a potential mechanism for improved air quality as a co-benefit.^[181] The UK government estimated that eliminating fossil fuels for home heating and transportation could lead to a tripling of demand for electricity.^[182]

Scotland[edit]

Scotland has set a 2045 target.^[183] The islands of Orkney have significant wind and marine energy resources, and renewable energy has recently come into prominence. Although Orkney is connected to the mainland, it generates over 100% of its net power from renewables.^{[184][unreliable source?]} This comes mainly from wind turbines situated right across Orkney

Thailand[edit]

Thailand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.^[185] As an initiative towards the carbon neutrality goal, Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment launched its first Carbon Credit Exchange in 2022.^[187]

Taiwan[edit]

Taiwan has a 2050 target to achieve carbon neutrality.^[188] The Department of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Chinese Culture University and Forestry Economics Division, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute presented a study in August 2012 indicating that afforestation can offset the carbon footprint to implementing carbon neutrality. They analyzed the carbon reduction benefits of afforested air quality enhancement zones (AQEZs) established by the government in 1995.^[189]

United States[edit]

The United States has implemented carbon neutrality measures at both federal and state levels:

• the Presidency has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% to 52% compared to 2005 levels by 2030, a carbon free power sector by 2035, and to be net zero by 2050.^[190]
• by April 2023, 23 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico had set legislative or executive targets for clean power production.^[191]
• all cars or light vehicles will have zero emissions (i.e. no internal combustion engine with gas or diesel) by 2035 in light duty vehicles, and no longer be bought by federal government by 2027.^[192]
• the California Air Resources Board voted in 2022 to draft new rules banning gas furnaces and water heaters, and requiring zero emission appliances in 2030.^[193] By 2022, four states have gas bans in new buildings.^[194]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Climate neutral now, a 3-step approach to Climate neutrality from the UNFCCC
• ClimateClock: time left to reaching the 1,5°C threshold
• Kick the Habit: A UN guide to climate neutrality A UNEP Publication
• How is Carbon Footprint Calculated

Парниковый газ метан помогают уловить и переработать деревья, почва и морская экосистема, а также зеленая энергетика.

Что такое углеродная нейтральность, к которой стремятся модные бренды? Она правда спасет от климатической катастрофы?

Все больше модных компаний заявляют о собственной углеродной нейтральности или говорят о ней как о цели на ближайшее будущее. Правила жизни разбирается, что обозначает это понятие, за счет чего достигается и с какими подводными камнями сталкиваются бренды, желающие стать более экологичными.

1. Главная
2. Забота о природе

Забота о природе

Что такое углеродная нейтральность? Мир может прийти к ней?

Углеродной нейтральностью называют сведение к нулю выбросов парниковых газов, выделяемых при производстве товаров и услуг. Небольшие бренды, крупные корпорации и даже целые страны заявляют о своем намерении достичь углеродной нейтральности в ближайшем будущем. Но возможно ли это и почему это так важно?

22 декабря 2021

Поделиться: