Car-free, carbon removal and net-zero: you’ve seen a fair share of these terms being used in government/business manifestos and on social media. The world needs rapid decarbonisation and we need it now. If we start acting, and our survival depends on it, decarbonisation could be more than just a pipe dream.
Decarbonisation in a nutshell
Decarbonisation is a complete paradigm shift in the way we’ve thought about transit, electricity, waste, agriculture, and other sectors. Each system needs to decarbonise, or reduce ‘carbon intensity’, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels. This involves decreasing CO2 output per unit of electricity generated, for example. Identifying the main source of human-caused greenhouse emissions and then working with governments, businesses, and consumers to make it happen (through renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, etc).
Why do we have to decarbonise?
More than 190 countries committed in 2015 to limiting global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels in an effort to stave off the worst effects of climate change such as drought, flooding and loss of species. This means reducing emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
The science is clear: to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and continue living on the planet, this target cannot be missed. Many argue over the economics of this transition but the bottom line? Only a decarbonised economy will sustain the coming generations of human and non-human life.
Industrial activities like mining and oil extraction/production require massive amounts of heat. The global metals and mining industry contributes to approximately 8% of the global carbon footprint. Alternatives to bring this down could be biomass, green hydrogen, steel, natural gas, and electrical technologies.
According to this Emissions By Sector report, energy (electricity, heat, transport) contributes to 73% of our global emissions. Most power for electricity used in appliances, lighting, digital technologies and heat production comes from fossil fuel energy sources (oil, natural gas, and coal).
But the good news is that, according to the World Economic Forum, wind and solar generated 10% of global electricity in 2021 – a world first! Fifty countries crossed the 10% wind and solar landmark, with seven new countries added in 2021. Now more than ever, electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels need to be used to reduce our transport emissions. And greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power stations can be capped by installing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
Solutions waiting to be enforced
At the United Nations climate talks last week, al-Jaber, minister of industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and chief executive of its Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, said that the oil-and-gas industry must “rapidly decarbonise its own operations … and has a vital role to play in decarbonising its customers. The science is clear. We need to get fully behind net zero.”
At COP27 last year, the first-ever climate ‘loss and damage’ fund reached an agreement. However, no progress was made to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. One of the biggest oil producers in the world, UAE’s Gulf monarchy is pushing for carbon capture – removing carbon dioxide as fuel is burned or from the atmosphere.
But the technology is in its infancy and many challenges lie ahead. The amount of greenhouse gasses captured must rocket to 800 million tonnes in 2030 from about 40 million tonnes today. As much as $160bn needs to be invested in the technology by 2030, a 10-fold increase from the previous 10 years, according to the International Energy Agency.
In our search for solutions, we also find Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) that take us back to a more balanced ecosystem where carbon is captured through natural systems like trees, peatlands, seaweed and mangroves, through the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and effective land management. There are many added benefits to NCS like improved water filtration and flood protection, soil health and restoring biodiversity habitat.
Project Drawdown is a non-profit and one of the world’s leading resources for science-backed climate solutions that help the world reach “drawdown” – the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Many NCS are featured, most of which we have the knowledge to implement now.
While there are many technologies and solutions that are scaling up, it’s vital to also be cognizant of the limitations of some technologies. For example, Direct Air Capture (DAC) combines bioenergy with technology to capture and store carbon emissions, resulting in negative emissions. However, a June report by the Coalition for Negative Emissions (CNE) said the pipeline of projects in development could remove only about 150 million tonnes of CO2 by 2025, making only a tiny dent in global emissions, which hit a record 59.1 billion tonnes in 2020, according to a UN Environment Programme report.
How companies are leading the way
The best thing is: decarbonisation doesn’t just exist in theory. Already, companies are leading decarbonisation by tackling their supply chain emissions, using renewable energy, and increasing energy efficiency.
Organisations that focus on emissions beyond their direct control expedite decarbonisation throughout the economy. For example, 80% of the total emissions footprint of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders is produced by their supply chains, known as Scope 3 emissions. This is higher than both Scope 1 (emissions directly generated by a company) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions associated with the purchase of electricity or heating and cooling inputs) combined.
In 2018, Royal Philips set the target of generating 25% of its revenue from circular products and services by 2025. To meet this goal, Philips offers its customers a choice of pre-owned systems that have been thoroughly refurbished, upgraded and quality tested.
Another example is Unilever‘s focus on sustainable sourcing of raw materials. Since the company’s raw materials and packaging account for more than 60% of direct value emissions, an emphasis on their emission reduction is necessary. The company also developed the ‘Unilever Climate Promise’ which asks suppliers to set a target to halve their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, publicly report progress, and share the GHG footprint data for the materials they supply to Unilever.
Transparent reporting, reduction of Scope 3 emissions, and implementation of circularity are some paths companies are adopting to meet their 1.5°C targets.
Tips and recommendations
While a consolidated shift of infrastructure away from fossil fuels is not easy, it’s not impossible. Here’s how to get started.
Government:
Governments across the world need to build, follow, and regularly update their emission reduction and just transition plans to keep all states on a path to net zero by 2050. Listen to your youth, workers, Indigenous Peoples, and business owners. Build a plan that can actually be enforced. Some things we need urgent action on (and that activists can hold governments accountable to):
1. Reduce energy costs for sustainable homes and buildings
2. Empower communities to take climate action
3. Make it easier to switch to electric vehicles where consumers can afford it
4. Divest from the oil and gas sector
5. Invest in renewable energy
6. Invest in natural climate-based solutions like carbon capture and sequestration
7. Support farmers, one of the hardest hit by changing climate, who make sure we always have food on the table
8. Support Indigenous Peoples and their rights
9. Support workers transitioning from oil/gas industries to greener ones
Businesses:
1. Measure the carbon footprint of your company: You’ve probably heard the phrase “only that which gets measured gets managed.” If your business is new and you’re not sure how to do this, seek help! There’re lots of companies that specialise in measuring and assessing your carbon footprint.
2. Set goals and meet them: Net zero by 2050 or earlier. That’s what we need. See how your company fits in the bigger decarbonisation picture and take active conscious steps towards making it happen.
3. Measure your decarbonisation: Hold yourself accountable to these goals by publishing regular reports and updates on your progress. Transparency, not perfection, is key. Hold a press release to invite key actors and get their thoughts and recommendations. Collaborate!
Individuals:
1. Decarbonise your home: Incorporate renewable energies like rooftop solar, wind, geothermal, or electric, if feasible. Replace your old hot water system with a more efficient heat-pump system, use natural ventilation and temperature control, make sure your house is well-insulated, and change to LED lightbulbs where possible.
2. Move towards a plant-based diet.
3. Choose organic and local to save up transportation carbon costs.
4. Buy food in bulk, reduce your waste, and compost it after.
5. Eliminate fast fashion from your wardrobe.
6. Consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle and avoid air travel as much as possible.
7. Use your power and get politically active – vote, organise, stay informed on decarbonisation updates in your region and advocate for a green and just transition.
FEATURED IMAGE: via Pexels | IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Solar Panels on Snow With Windmill Under Clear Day Sky
