What is Decarbonisation?

With the climate change effects increasing, keeping the planet from getting even warmer is essential. With the decisions, including countries’ net zero goals and 2030 sustainable development goals, the world is changing for a better future. 

Decarbonisation at this point comes as more critical. It is the term for decreasing carbon dioxide output to the atmosphere to a level or completely. With the Paris Agreement, a decision was set to keep the temperature rise below 2C, preferably limiting it to 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels. To reach these goals and commitments, switching to low-carbon energy sources is required (McKinsey, 2022). 

Why is decarbonisation essential? 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that carbon dioxide emissions causes more than 2,000 premature deaths yearly, equivalent to early deaths due to emissions. In addition, the EPA has estimated that by 2020, power plants will be responsible for about 700 more deaths per year than they would have been without emissions control (EPA,2017) 

But there are ways we can help save our planet and reduce carbon emissions! 

What can we do to decarbonise? 

We need to decarbonise our economy as quickly as possible — transforming how we produce, distribute and consume energy. 

The first thing you can do is learn how your lifestyle affects the environment. You might be surprised at how much your choices impact nature and the environment around you! 

As individuals, we can start by reducing our carbon footprint with small steps. Steps like using public transportation more, using trains to go on a holiday instead of using planes or decreasing the meat intake. Start recycling your waste, and reduce your usage of plastics and other materials. 

Governments can help by encouraging more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road through subsidies for private owners and charging stations for public use. This can be done by government subsidy programs or indirectly through tax credits for companies that build EVs or install charging stations at work sites or public spaces where drivers can reach them securely, especially for long roads. 

Get an accurate carbon footprint, this means more than measuring your emissions but measuring, reporting and analysing them. With these results, you can see the main steps you should take and create a roadmap for your business.  

Invest in energy, but renewable! Renewable energy sources are low-zero, which means you can help the world by using them. Energy generated from wind turbine costs is very similar to the energy costs from fossil fuels. You can start with small steps, such as using your empty roof with a solar panel! 

Different countries have different net-zero goals, at least different years, but these changes will become evident in every part of your life. Measuring your organisation’s carbon footprint while analysing and reporting the result is even more crucial. 

How can Faradai help you? 

Faradai Sustain takes a serious interest in additionality and maintenance, allowing you to track the status of your project. The project certifications are available for you to examine, download, and share anytime for transparency and verifiability.  

In addition to different properties, Faradai Sustain helps businesses with all things sustainability, including accurate and up-to-date emission calculators, data management for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions covering 2000+ activity data such as waste, water, transport, and supply chain, target setting in line with Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), progress tracking and more. 

To learn more about how Faradai Sustain can support your organisation’s Net Zero journey, start free now at https://sustain.faradai.ai! 

Some links that might be helpful! 

• A piece of detailed information from Columbia University 
• McKinsey’s report on the decarbonisation