Carbon-neutral
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Revision as of 11:08, 19 July 2007
MI Summary
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Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, refers to the practice of balancing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, with renewable energy that creates a similar amount of useful energy, so that the net carbon emissions are zero. This may be extended to include other greenhouse gases measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The phrase was the Oxford University Press Word Of The Year for 2006 , indicative of it's gaining popularity.
The term is also used in connection with the practice, criticized by some, of carbon offsetting - where an investment is made in a 'carbon project' that should lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere in the world, or in projects that will lead to the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, for example by planting trees.
When an individual or an organization sets out to become carbon neutral it is usually achieved by a combination of the following three:
- Limiting energy usage and emissions from transportation (take the bus instead of driving, bike instead of taking the bus, avoid flying when possible)
- Get electricity from a renewable energy source either directly by generating it (install solar panels on the roof for example) or by selecting a green energy provider.
- Offset the remaining emissions that can not for the moment be avoided or generated from renewables in a responsible carbon project.
- Being carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate social responsibility and a growing list of corporations are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral. Some examples include: Google, Yahoo!, Nike, HSBC, ING Group, Tesco and Salesforce.com.
Events like the G8 Summit and organisations like the World Bank are also using offset schemes to become carbon neutral. Artist like The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd has made albums or tours carbon neutral.
In July, 2007 the Vatican agreed to become the first carbon neutral state. They plan to accomplish this by offsetting carbon dioxide emissions with the creation of a Vatican Climate Forest in Hungary.
The Central American nation of Costa Rica aims to be fully carbon neutral before 2030 which probably would make it the first nation to reach this goal. Costa Rica already generates 96% of its energy from hydroelectric power, wind farms and geothermal energy. 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.
