A term that is being thrown around a lot these days by corporations, governments, and researchers alike is decarbonization. Whether it be in sustainability reports, government agendas, or scientific journals, this buzzword seems to be becoming more prevalent by the day. But what does it actually mean? Decarbonization is the systematic and deliberate reduction in the net emissions of given process, and it can be achieved in two main ways (1).
The first way is through the adjustment of a given process to produce a lower level of emissions. This can be done through something as simple as a switch from a non-renewable energy source to a renewable energy-source, or it can involve something more difficult such as the re-engineering of a process to reduce its energy or emissions requirements. The second way in which decarbonization can be pursued is through the integration of carbon removal techniques into a given process. While this may not reduce the emissions of the process itself, what it does do is offset them so that the net emission impact of the process is lower (1).
The term decarbonization is overall quite broad, but it should be noted that decarbonization looks different for every sector, and every company. There is no one catch-all approach that can be used for everyone, and decarbonization must be smartly tailored to each companies’ specific operations to be truly effective. Looking at the mining sector for example, there are many ways that decarbonization can be integrated. First, operations can be adjusted to run on more low-carbon energy sources through renewable power purchasing agreements. Further, mining companies can decarbonize by transitioning from their traditional fossil fuel burning machinery to electrified versions. Finally, carbon removal can be explored through various carbon capture techniques, depending on the type of resources that are being mined for (2).
These strategies are entirely different from what may be pursued by other types of companies. Take real estate for example. Real estate companies may look into increasing the energy efficiency of buildings through improved window or HVAC technology. Additionally, they may look into the transition from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs, and the integration of smart lighting systems. Finally, they may investigate the use of green building materials, such as sustainably sourced woods, or carbon-negative concrete (3).
Overall, while decarbonization is an essential step that all industries will need to invest in if we hope to tackle climate change, investments into decarbonization need to be carefully considered and well managed. This will require the expertise of decarbonization specialists, but if done right it can lead to a drastic reduction in the environmental impact of corporations, as well as a sizeable increase in stakeholder opinion and profits (4).
