What is Decarbonization?

Today, there is a lot of concern about the future of the planet, particularly as greenhouse gases continue to drive rapid warming. To combat climate change, cutting sectoral emissions is critical. The transition to a decarbonized economy, where carbon emissions are as low as possible, will ultimately help us meet global climate targets. What is decarbonization and how can we achieve it?

Decarbonization refers to the process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, and, more specifically, to an economic system where CO₂ emissions are managed in a sustainable way. If we can decarbonize the world’s industries, we may be able to remove volatile greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, which in turn would help combat climate change. By prioritizing decarbonization and reducing carbon emissions, we can work towards a better planet for future generations.

Decarbonization is the pathway towards a greener future, but what is decarbonization? Decarbonization is the reduction of carbon emissions in the environment. One of the key steps in decarbonization is transitioning to energy and fuel sources that emit less carbon dioxide than the fossil fuel sources we currently use. 

Decarbonization is the process of balancing and removing. To achieve a true state of decarbonization, we have to both reduce the amount of emission produced, and absorb or sequester the excess emissions that linger in our atmosphere.

Right now, we use a tremendous amount of fossil fuels to power industry, and by doing so, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in abundance. With the principles of decarbonization, transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power and biomass, can help drastically influence our emissions. In practice, this can look like promoting widespread electrification of vehicles, which inherently decreases CO₂ emissions. Decarbonization is no small undertaking and requires massive changes across industries and their supply chains, but our future relies on it.

There are plenty of reasons why the process of decarbonization is so important, but the biggest reason is that it can help us stabilize our planet. In 2015, many countries collectively set climate targets by adopting the Paris Agreement, but we’re falling short of these goals. This means that the planet could warm more than we initially thought, with some estimates showing that the average temperature of the planet may rise by 3.9°C by the year 2100. This can have a profound impact on the planet as a whole. From rising sea levels and more severe weather events, to disruptions in agriculture and food production, the future and health of our planet relies on a transition to a decarbonized economy. 

Ultimately, the only way we can decarbonize is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted across all industries. It will require an energy system that is fundamentally different from the one we have today, focusing on using alternative energy sources, which may include biofuels and hydrogen. These adjustments will allow us to shift away from our reliance on fossil fuel powered industries like mining, oil and gas, etc. which are carbon intensive.

Every sector is different, so companies will need to create unique strategies that allow them to hit their business targets while also meeting sustainability goals. It will absolutely involve cross-sectoral input to achieve our ambitious climate targets. 

Mitigates climate change

By switching to a low-carbon economy, it is possible to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is already being felt all over the world: 

• Wildfires are becoming much more common.

• Hurricanes are becoming more powerful and deadly than they were in the past.

• In many parts of the world, droughts are becoming more common, which has direct impacts on agriculture, harvest cycles and food production.

• Sea levels are increasingly rising, meaning that coastal communities are being threatened.

By switching to a low-carbon economy, we can mitigate the effects of climate change by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and slowing the momentum of warming overall. 

Lowers utility costs

By decarbonizing, it is also possible for people to save money on their utility expenses. Daily, we rely on utilities including electricity, water and gas. In homes where natural gas is required for heating purposes, costs are expected to rise. There are some parts of the world that are going to see in their energy bills in the near future.

Even in homes that do not rely on natural gas, energy bills are still expected to increase because of reliance on fossil fuels for energy and electricity production. As fuel prices continue to increase, the cost of electricity will follow suit. If we are able to switch to a low-carbon economy, where the vast majority of homes do not rely on gas and instead use renewable energy sources like solar, utility costs and emissions decrease simultaneously.

Improves air quality

Due to our reliance on fossil fuels, air quality has become a significant issue in many parts of the world, especially densely populated cities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2019, 99% of the world was living in areas where the organization’s air quality guidelines were not met. 

Even though a lot of attention has been paid to air pollution outside, it is also important to focus on air quality indoors. While many people prefer gas appliances because they are quick to turn on, they can also create harmful emissions in the home. Common examples include hot water heaters, boilers, furnaces and stoves. Just as burning fossil fuels outside leads to air pollution, burning fossil fuels inside also leads to pollution as well. 

Benefits public health

As an extension of this, decarbonizing the economy can also greatly benefit public health. The medical , and we need to find ways to reduce the chances of people getting sick or injured. One of the best ways for people to stay healthy is to provide them with a clean planet. If we can remove pollution from the atmosphere, we can reduce the number of people who may need acute care from hospitals. 

If we can alleviate the stress that has been placed on our medical system, we can re-allocate the funds saved and apply them elsewhere. For example, we may be able to help people in underserved areas of the world, which are disproportionately impacted by climate change and health disparities. At the same time, we can make investments in new technology that we can use to meet our climate targets. There are plenty of ways that we can improve public health by reducing our carbon emissions, so it is important for us to get started as quickly as possible.

Ultimately, these are just a few of the most important benefits of a decarbonized future that will impact society and the planet as a whole.

AIR COMPANY is a leader in decarbonization, creating alternative solutions that take CO₂ and repurpose it into products of value. Our mission is to take a pollutant and convert it into a viable solution to ultimately effect change across many industries. So far, we’ve demonstrated the potential to influence beauty, spirits, and most recently, aviation.

Our has served as a blueprint for how other companies can innovate their supply chain to combat climate change and preserve our planet. If you want to learn more about AIR COMPANY and our goals, we encourage you to and work towards decarbonization alongside us.  

By working together, it is possible to remove and repurpose excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and preserve this planet for future generations. AIR COMPANY is making strides to decarbonize the planet, one sustainable innovation at a time.