TL;DR: Carbon neutral means a balance between CO2 emissions and sequestration (or CO2 absorption), with natural 'carbon sinks' like forests and oceans playing a key role.
Becoming carbon neutral is possible by reducing emissions and offsetting them through certified climate projects.
The EU aims to be climate neutral by 2050, which involves a broad reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses and individuals can contribute by supporting sustainable projects that sequester CO2 and promote biodiversity.
Introduction to carbon neutrality
Nowadays, talking about climate action has brought with it a whole new vocabulary.
‘Carbon Neutral’, ‘Offsetting’, ‘Sequestration’ and ‘Carbon sinks’, have become significant terms when discussing climate action, but what do they actually mean? And how do they relate to climate impact?
This article will cover the definition of these terms, which will hopefully also help you along your journey towards growing a more sustainable company. Next to that, we will dive deeper into the climate targets of the EU Green Deal and what this can mean for businesses.
What is carbon neutral?
Carbon neutral definition: To be carbon neutral (or CO2 neutral) is to have a balance between producing and absorbing carbon from our atmosphere and store it into what we call carbon sinks. Examples of main (natural) carbon sinks that are used are: Forests, oceans, and soil.
When carbon dioxide is absorbed and stored in these sinks, then carbon has been sequestered. Artificial, man-made carbon sinks also exist, which are mainly: Landfills, carbon capture, and storage processes.
Any system that absorbs more carbon than it produces can be called a carbon sink. Unfortunately, there are no carbon sinks that are able to remove carbon on the required scale to fight global warming.
According to Frankiqnoulle & Gattuso’s (1993) work, it is estimated that coral reefs represent a carbon sink of almost 70 to 90 Megatons of carbon annually.
What are carbon free & carbon offsetting?
Keep in mind: Carbon neutral and carbon-free are not the same thing. When a product, service or company is free of carbon, there are no carbon emissions produced whatsoever. This must apply to the entire supply chain.
There are factually no examples of carbon-free products (yet). However, it is possible for any product, company or service to become carbon neutral:
Current practices allow companies to be able to calculate their emissions, which they can then reduce or offset with certified carbon offset projects.
Carbon offsetting definition: When you pay others to sequester carbon on your behalf. It is possible to offset your produced carbon emissions somewhere else. This method allows companies to compensate for their carbon footprint.
Nevertheless, compensating your carbon emissions alone isn’t enough to fight our climate crisis. It is as equally as important -presumably even better- to reduce your carbon emissions as well.
What is climate neutral?
Climate neutrality is similar to carbon neutrality, but it broadens to zero net greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate neutral definition: To be climate neutral is to have a balance between producing and absorbing greenhouse gases from our athmosphere and store these, among others, in carbon sinks.
CO2 isn't the only harmful greenhouse gas. Methane is another good example.
When all greenhouse gases are being removed from the atmosphere we talk about climate neutrality.
European Green Deal
The European Union is committed to an ambitious climate policy.
The 20-20-20 climate targets, a 55% net emissions reduction target by 2030, and the European Green Deal; striving to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050.
Striving to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050 also means striving to improve the well-being and health of citizen and future generations. Some benefits of the European Green Deal are:
Healthy and affordable food
Future-proof jobs
Longer lasting products that can be repaired, recycled and re-used
Clean energy, fresh air, clean water, healthy soil & more biodiversity
More public transport
Energy efficient buildings
Globally competitive and resilient industry
Conclusion
Looking at climate targets and definitions that are assembled by different continents, countries and cities, it is not surprising to see where confusion has arisen.
But whatever term is being used, the message is clear. We have to do something now.
Organizations today can make a difference by creating a good sustainability strategy. This exists of calculating, reducing and compensating their carbon footprints.
Our vision is: reduce, reduce, reduce and compensate where necessary.
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Looking for extra info?
Want to know more about CO2 management through tooling? ➔ Discover the top 10 carbon footprint calculators in our explainer article
➔ Learn how to calculate your company’s CO2 impact with our step-by-step guide
➔ Discover all Regreener’s Carbon Footprint Calculator has to offer
Want to know the difference between carbon neutrality and net zero? Read our article that clearly compares both concepts.
➔ Learn more about the difference between carbon neutral & net zero
Keen to understand how CO₂ is measured and reduced? Read our articles on Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and CO₂ emissions factors.
➔ Learn more about Scope 1-2-3 emissions
➔ Learn more about CO₂ emissions factors
Curious how to communicate sustainably and credibly? Read our articles on the do’s and don’ts of sustainable messaging and authentic green marketing.
➔ Discover the do’s and don’ts for green marketing
➔ Learn more about greenwashing & authentic communication
Want to build a credible green reputation? Explore the best sustainability frameworks and certification systems.
➔ Learn more about sustainable frameworks and certificates
Looking for ways to combine sustainability with profit?
➔ Learn more about quick wins for cost-effective reduction of your CO2 footprint
➔ Find out why sustainable companies will are becoming increasingly profitable
Looking for a meaningful way to offset your CO₂ emissions and support nature?
➔ Discover the 5 best tree planting organizations in the Netherlands
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