Carbon neutrality

For other uses, see Carbon neutral (disambiguation)

Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, has two principal meanings. It can refer 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, or alternatively using only renewable energy. It is also used to describe the practice, criticized by some, of carbon offsetting, by paying others to remove or sequester 100% of the carbon dioxide emitted from the atmosphere - for example by planting trees - or by funding 'carbon projects' that should lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions, or by buying carbon credits to remove (or 'retire') them through carbon trading. These practices are often used in parallel, together with energy conservation measures to minimize energy use.

The concept may be extended to include other greenhouse gases measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The phrase was the New Oxford American Dictionary’s Word Of The Year for 2006 .

Becoming carbon neutral

When an individual or an organization sets out to become carbon neutral it is usually achieved by a low carbon economy, combining the following three:

• Limiting energy usage and emissions from transportation (walking, using bicycles or public transport, avoiding flying, using low-energy vehicles), as well as from buildings, equipment and processes.
• Obtaining electricity from a renewable energy source either directly by generating it (installing solar panels on the roof for example) or by selecting an approved green energy provider, and by using low-carbon alternative fuels such as biofuels.
• Offset the remaining emissions that can not for the moment be avoided or generated from renewables in a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon credits.

Being carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate or state social responsability and a growing list of corporations and states are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral. Some corporate examples include: PepsiCo,Google, Yahoo!, Nike, HSBC, ING Group, Tesco and Salesforce.com.

Events like 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.

Carbon-neutral states

In July, 2007, Vatican City has become the first carbon neutral State of the world, following the politics of the Pope to eliminate global warming The goal is reached thanks due to the donation of the Vatican Climate Forest in Hungary. The forest is to be sized to offset the year's carbon dioxide emissions.

The Central American nation of Costa Rica aims to be fully carbon neutral before 2030 which probably would make it one of the other states to reach this goal. In 2004 46.7% of Costa Rica's primary energy came from renewable sources, while 94% of its electricity was generated from hydroelectric power, wind farms and geothermal energy in 2006. 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.

See also

• Carbon footprint
• Live Earth
• Low-carbon economy
• Reverb
• Zero-carbon building (carbon neutral buildings)