Résumé : |
The world is beginning to paint itself into a corner, aiming to achieving a position where no net carbon is being added to the atmosphere by 2050. Put another way, the amount of carbon emitted by all human activity on Earth must be balanced by all carbon removed by all humans (carbon neutral). To be certified carbon neutral by a standard such as PAS 2060: 2014 or ISO 14064 : 2018, the following steps are usually done :
1. Identify the subject that is to be in the intended daim of carbon neutrality
2. Calculate the carbon footprint
3. Construct a plan to manage and lower the carbon, and declare a commitment
4. Take action to reduce carbon missions (and review the effectiveness of the plan and the actions)
5. Re-measure the carbon footprint after the plan has been enacted
6. Enter the residual carbon footprint into a plan that will offset that residual carbon, usually through the purchase or redemption of certificates
7. If neutrality has been established, a declaration (against) evidence can be made in documentary evidence.
The central point is that, to meet the global goals, the motivation to do so and the difficulties within this must be clear. At the heart of the net zero carbon movement lies the premise that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The mainstream narrative is that this results in a warming planet, with cascading effects such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and threats to biodiversity. To avert the worst consequences of climate change, the international community has rallied behind the goal of limiting global temperature increases to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Net zero carbon is a crucial component of this broader climate strategy. It involves reducing emissions through sustainable practices and technologies while simultaneously investing in activities that remove or offset an equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere. This delicate balance aims to stabilise the concentration of greenhouse gases, allowing ecosystems to recover and fostering a sustainable equilibrium between human activities and the environment. |