“We have a single mission: to protect and hand on the planet to the next generation.”
– François Hollande
You might have heard the term “decarbonization” often said by people from the manufacturing industry or from environmentalists, but what does it actually mean?
This guide breaks down the concept in the most generic and simple way possible without fluff, just practical steps and some real-word relevance. Let’s get into it and understand Decarbonization in a better way. Then we can go further into why it is important, key pillars, how to achieve the decarbonization goals and more.
What Is Decarbonization in Manufacturing?
The literal meaning of decarbonization is to either remove or reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the environment. The idea took global prominence with the 2015 Paris Agreement, where world leaders committed to limiting global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and ideally, to no more than 1.5°C.
Now, you might be wondering that if we exhale carbon dioxide and plants need it to survive, how can it possibly be harmful?
Fair question. Like many things in nature, balance is key. While CO₂ is a natural part of Earth’s life cycles, too much of it in the atmosphere throws that balance off. When levels rise due to human activities like burning fossil fuels or carbon-based industrial processes it becomes a major driver of climate change and ocean acidification.
So yes, CO₂ is essential, but in excess, it harms the very systems that support life on Earth. And that’s exactly where decarbonization comes into play. It helps us restore that balance by reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner alternatives.
Decarbonization can be achieved by utilizing low-carbon energy sources. This shift would lead to a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn would help slow the rise in global temperatures.
Why is Decarbonization Important to Us?
Decarbonization is important not only because it helps stabilize the climate, but also because it promotes human health, preserves ecosystems, and safeguards the future in multiple ways.
In fact, if we don’t decarbonize, the consequences could include:
- An increase in global warming, resulting in more frequent droughts, extreme heatwaves, floods, and other climate-related disasters.
- Serious impacts on human health, including respiratory illnesses, heat stress, food and water insecurity, and more.
- Disruptions to infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, and markets, ultimately leading to substantial financial losses.
- A sharp rise in biodiversity loss, desertification, coral bleaching, and freshwater shortages.
How Far Have We Come?
Decarbonization has really made an impact on this generation but is it the term that suddenly decided to pop up or does it have a deeper meaning to it. Well! It sure has gained popularity over the decades amongst the climate risks. Below are some of the key moments highlighted that show that decarbonization has been around.
1988
Established IPCC
IPCC also stands for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It’s an initiative by the United Nations to bring together the world’s leading scientific voices on climate change. Its mission? To understand how climate shifts affect our lives and economies and guide global action. The reports it produces have shaped the foundation of international climate policy.
1997
Kyoto Protocol
A pivotal moment in climate diplomacy. The Kyoto Protocol becomes the first legally binding global agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions, placing a turning point on industrialized nations to lead the way.
2015
Paris Agreement
A historic show of unity. 195 countries came together to adopt the Paris Agreement, committing to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
2018
IPCC 1.5°C Special Report
A wake-up call backed by science. The IPCC releases a landmark report highlighting the stark difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of warming. The message is clear: even 2°C carries serious risks. The report calls for reducing global emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
2021
UNEP Emissions Gap Report
A sobering reality check. The UNEP finds that current national pledges fall short, putting the world on track for 2.7°C of warming. The report calls for deeper, faster commitments to close the emissions gap.
2023-2024
Record Emissions, Reducing Carbon Budget
The clock is ticking. Global carbon emissions have reached their highest levels yet. According to the 2024 Global Carbon Budget, we have just 235 gigatonnes of CO₂ left if we want even a 50% chance of staying within the 1.5°C limit. At the current pace, the remaining budget could be gone in under six years.
The Key Strategies of Decarbonization
We are sure by now you must be intrigued into knowing the key strategies or pillars that would help to support decarbonization. Let’s look at them one by one.
Efficiency:
Renewable energy:
Fuel Switching:
Making use of less carbon-intensive fuels can help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Also, natural gas is said to be less carbon intensive however it still emits. Also, it is said that methane can leak during natural gas extraction and transport. Hydrogen based fuel can cut GHG emissions and the only direct byproduct of combustion is water vapor. So, if we switch to hydrogen then it will need significant infrastructure upgrades. But switching to hydrogen fuel will only benefit if the hydrogen is produced sustainably. The benefit includes continued use of existing power plants and hydrogen will meet proposed new EPA emission reduction targets.
Nuclear:
Nuclear power is said to be a low carbon resource which provides stable baseload power. However, due to its high capital costs, nuclear waste disposal, long build times and the potential for catastrophic accidents leads to a major concern about industry adopting such a strategy. These are some of the proliferation concerns for the misuse of nuclear technology. These are the major concerns that lead to local opposition for new nuclear projects. The benefits include a large and stable source of baseload power and zero GHG emissions.
Carbon Offsets/Trading or Renewable Energy Certificates:
These programs have financial incentives and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also help to reach the goals of decarbonization in the most effective way. However, these projects doesn’t lead to permanent emission reductions and delay the transition to low-carbon technologies.
There’s also a risk of both buyers and sellers claiming the same emission reductions, a practice known as double counting. These are the factors which have raised concerns about the benefit of offset programs. Nevertheless, a key benefit lies in their ability to work with existing power plant infrastructure.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
It has the deal to reduce emissions from already existing fossil fuel power plants. By taking most carbon emissions at the source, CCS prevents carbon from entering the air and causing issues. However, it does require initial investment, and it is highly cost-competitive along with other renewable projects or nuclear power plants. The benefit is huge that one can continue to use existing power plants, and it also meets proposed new EPA emission reduction targets.
Final Note
From cleaner systems to smarter energy choices, the future of industry depends on how well we balance performance with responsibility. Decarbonization is that responsibility that we all should do our best to make the earth a better place. Let’s strategies, understand a bit more about decarbonization and spread the word with everyone around.
That was about decarbonization and how the 6 key pillars play an important role in this. With this we also know how important filtration is to every product, atmosphere, water and what not. Let’s check out some facts and key information about filtration too. Understand how it impacts our food, water, and more. Check out our Industrial Filtration: A Make or Break Process for Efficiency where we dive deeper into the technologies, challenges, and opportunities building this entire process.
And if you’re ready to zoom out and explore the bigger picture, we’re here for that too. Our guide on Decarbonization in Manufacturing offers a practical breakdown of what it means, why it matters, and how we can move forward together.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Share with us your point of view on decarbonization and what you think we should be doing to help our society, the atmosphere and most importantly Earth to live lively.
If you would like to learn more or if you would like to talk to our team of experts, contact us today.
