Post 34. All zeros are equal….

 

Zero emissions versus net zero 

 Zero emissions refers to a process, activity, machine, vehicle, or engine that during its operation produces no atmospheric pollutants including greenhouse gas emissions or GHGs. GHGs come from many sources including the emitting of carbon dioxide or methane. 

Zero emissions means that the activity has been designed, and is put into practice, to ensure there are no atmospheric emissions as a result of the activity. 

Net zero is different… Net zero does not mean zero atmospheric emissions from an activity. Net zero does not mean zero GHG emissions from an activity. Net zero means balancing the atmospheric pollutants, including GHGs, that are produced from an activity, e.g. taking a flight, producing or buying a car, with other actions that will offset that emission. 

Offsetting activities, often far away from the point of emission, capture similar pollutants, or byproducts. With carbon, this ‘capturing’ or sequestering activity is in a ‘carbon sink’. Natural carbon sinks include plants especially trees and soil. Industrial activities are also being developed that capture carbon dioxide to then convert it into food, raw materials etc. 

So check the wording in policy and corporate pledges and messaging as the wording matters. Is the phrasing

 

… to halve all GHG emissions by….. 

… to reduce methane emissions by…. 

… to have zero emissions by… 

…. to be net zero carbon by…… 

…. to be net zero by……