Question 1

What Does Carbon Negative Mean?

Accepted Answer

Carbon negative means, in effect, that you emit less than zero carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) greenhouse gasses. However, since it is impossible to emit a negative amount of carbon (or any other physical substance), being carbon negative refers to the net emissions you create. To be carbon negative means to offset more carbon, through carbon capture, sequestration, or avoidance, than you contribute to the environment.

Question 2

How Is Carbon Negative Different Than Carbon Neutral?

Accepted Answer

The terms “carbon neutral” and “carbon negative” are on the same plane, one just uses slightly more offsets than the other to be achieved. In theory, a person or organization could be carbon neutral without offsets if they did not use anything within the carbon cycle at all, even for a single second.

Question 3

How Is Carbon Negative Different Than Achieving Net-Zero Emissions?

Accepted Answer

This is a tricky one, since there is some debate around whether buying offsets to reach carbon neutrality is the same as having net-zero emissions. Typically, though definitions vary, net-zero emissions refers to people or companies that reduce their carbon emissions as much as possible from things that they can control and then offset the remainder to be carbon neutral. This is considered different from regular carbon neutral because you are, in essence, making a concerted effort to reduce emissions from their sources instead of carrying on “business as usual” and purchasing offsets without making any changes in behavior or actions.

Question 4

Is It Possible to Reach Carbon Negativity?

Accepted Answer

As mentioned above, it is possible to reach carbon negativity — but it will take a coordinated effort to reduce emissions from their source and a significant amount of offsets to get there.  One of the best ways to realistically reach carbon negativity is to employ different methods of carbon reduction to complement lowering emissions from the source. These include nature-based solutions, enhanced nature solutions, and direct air carbon capture — all of which can be done directly by companies, or through offsetting projects, which is typically easier and more verifiable.

Question 5

How Can Companies and Individuals Reach Carbon Negative Goals?

Accepted Answer

First things first, make sure all energy used in direct operations comes from renewables or other carbon-free sources, such as nuclear. This applies to company activities that directly use energy and individual activities that use energy within the home. Next, it is imperative to reduce indirect emissions as much as possible. For a company, this can be done by reviewing a supply chain to find suppliers and logistics that create less emissions or by limiting employee Scope 3 emissions, such as those attributable to commuting to and from work. For individuals, this can be done by making smart choices outside the home, from riding that bike to eating that locally grown food. Lastly, after you’ve tallied up the total carbon footprint for yourself or your company, invest in more offsets than the amount of carbon emitted. It is important to ensure that the offsets you purchase are verified and of good quality, ideally with co-benefits for nature and communities in areas that they are generated. Remember: one credit typically equals 1 metric ton of carbon removed from the atmosphere — you just need to buy one more credit than tons you’ve emitted to reach carbon negative status.

Question 6

What Role Do Offsets Play in Becoming Carbon Negative?

Accepted Answer

Offsets play a major role in becoming carbon negative. In fact, it would be impossible to achieve carbon negativity without them. This is because, as stated above, it is impossible to emit a negative amount of a physical substance — in this case, carbon dioxide. Offsets are needed to remove excess carbon and to go past neutral into negative territory. And, as also stated above, it is impossible in the modern world, virtually anywhere on the planet, to not use or eat something that has not emitted carbon somewhere along the line. This makes it even more imperative to use offsets, as they are needed to supplement even the most conscious eco-warrior’s actions.

Carbon Emissions Issues and Climate Change in the UK

Carbon Offsets and How They Relate to Airline Emissions Issues

How Does Carbon Capture Help Fight Climate Change?

Understanding the Voluntary Carbon Market and How You Can Participate

Categories

What Does the New VCMI Code Mean for Carbon Credit Usage?

Overall Size of Carbon Offset Markets: How Big Are They?

Creating Carbon Credits: Is It Profitable?

All About Carbon Credits, Carbon Allowances, and Emission Allowances

Partner with Terrapass

About Us

Contact Us

Follow Us

Categories

Subscribe (Footer)