#carbon neutrality

[wachinyeya]

A consortium linked to the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has built a plant at the Mannheim wastewater treatment plant that cleans generated biogas and uses the resulting CO2 to produce climate-neutral marine fuel using green hydrogen. The process could help decarbonise the shipping sector, which is currently responsible for around three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The demonstration plant uses a patented process to convert biogas produced during wastewater treatment into climate-neutral methanol. The biogas is first purified and the separated CO₂ can then be used with renewably-produced hydrogen to make methanol – a raw material that can be used as marine fuel or in the chemical industry. Methanol does release the CO2 back into the atmosphere when burned. However, because the carbon comes from the treatment plant and not from additional fossil sources, it is considered climate neutral.

There are some 80,000 wastewater treatment plants in Europe that offer considerable potential for the new process, wrote KIT. "To achieve our climate protection goals, we must keep all technological options open," said Volker Wissing, federal minister for digital affairs and transport. “In addition to electrification and hydrogen-based propulsion, we need climate-friendly fuels, especially in maritime shipping." Stressing that the sector represented a future growth market, Wissing said Germany should play a pioneering role in research and development. "It's also about making our country independent of energy imports."

Vidal Vazquez, co-founder of climate tech start-up ICODOS, a spin-off from the KIT, added, "In Germany alone, wastewater treatment plants could produce several million tonnes of sustainable methanol annually." The project shows that "wastewater treatment plants can serve as the heart of sustainable fuel production – a potential that has so far remained untapped," Vazquez said. ICODOS is currently in discussions with other wastewater treatment plants to set up other production facilities.

Renewables-based synthetic fuels could be necessary to decarbonise certain sectors such as shipping, where alternatives are not available today, or extremely costly. However, producing the rare fuels is energy-intensive and expensive and they should only be used where the direct use of electricity is not an option.

25 Mar 2025

[zylahbee]

being a disabled environmentalist is hard.

i care so much and i wish i could aim for things like zero waste. but i just cant, doing something like that would be ignoring my health needs.

its quite isolating, because i try to find tips and environmental swaps but often they just arent possible for me to use/do and then i feel guilty for that.

even though i know its not my fault and i cant help it, it just triggers my inner ableism and i blame myself for being this way.

[lily0819]

Clean energy is driving a U.S. manufacturing renaissance: 42 new facilities are online & operating & 119 are under development across America. These domestic manufacturing facilities are spurring the creation of 100,000 good-paying American jobs.

[reportsofagrandfuture]

Its high nutritional value is comparable to soy. Moreover, almost the whole body of the hemp plant has a wide array of utility: industrial production of food, fiber, and construction materials. In view of environmental sustainability, hemp requires less pesticides or water in cultivation compared to cotton, a representative fiber plant. This short review investigates hemp’s sustainability as a plant as well as its utility value as a highly nutritional material in the food industry. Recent application research of hemp protein in food processing includes plant milk, emulsifiers, fortification of gluten-free bread, plant-based meat production, as well as membrane formation.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Hempcrete is “carbon-negative” or “better-than-zero-carbon” because hemp plant absorbs more carbon from the air during growth than it yields during its production. Moreover, it continues to absorb carbon after being employed in construction, storing more carbon over the building’s lifetime than was emitted during construction

[netscapenavigator-official]

God. I try not to drag drama from one platform to another because I don’t wanna be a source of misery for y’all, but this type of shit is getting way too common, so I just wanna say:

If you can’t separate your opinion of Elon Musk from your opinion of green energy technologies like batteries and zero emission transportation, then you have successfully fallen for propaganda created by the oil industry.

If you believe fear mongering about lithium batteries being “dangerous” or electric vehicles being abnormally fire-prone, then you need to reevaluate your stance on environmentalism. An anti-climate change stance cannot coexist with a misinformed distain for extremely important, modern, (and statistically proven safe), energy innovations.

[boiyogold]

Nuclear is mostly carbon neutral energy we don't use because people are scared, I agree on your point about cutting corners (that's why the Chernobyl meltdown happened) and yes, building plants that are specifically nuclear would be expensive and time consuming, luckily we have the technology to retrofit coal plants to use nuclear energy.

Also while it would be very fucking expensive in the mid-term, in the long term it would generate trillions of dollars from energy production and being able to enrich our uranium before we sell it.

Nuclear is one of the best sources of energy we have available to us (renewables are great but they need potentially decades of work to be efficient).

Also we have the best quality uranium on earth and we don't use it.

On the point of nuclear waste, we've had the technology since the 1960's to reuse nuclear waste, we can reuse it multiple times before it has to be sealed and stored, for storage we have a big ass desert that barely anyone uses with plenty of space to store nuclear waste without harming the environment.

[delicatelysublimeforester]

Your Voice, Your Future

[bkthemes]

Sustainability-Driven Development

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[bd--innovations]

Carbon Neutrality - Aiming for NetZero

I was thinking about how brewing and distilling companies deal with sustainability. The first though I had about this topic was about carbon neutrality and the various ways that companies can achieve this. This is the start of a series of random thoughts about this which was then researched in a semi-formal way. The first thought I had was about the obsession about being “NetZero” and what that means. Being carbon neutral, or NetZero, is where the amount of CO2 has been offset with the amount of CO2 that has been absorbed from the atmosphere.

There are many ways of doing this, some companies reduce their carbon footprint – the amount of carbon they are producing – or some do things to offset the carbon that they currently don’t have the means of reducing. One way to absorb carbon from the atmosphere is to plant trees which use carbon to photosynthesize, which provides energy to the use in other systems and reactions where it is need. Most companies reduce the amount of carbon they produce though as this is easier than trying to absorb it from the atmosphere.

I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Stewart’s Brewing in Edinburgh. I was incredibly impressed with the carbon capture and solar panels they had going on (you can see them below). They implemented these in two years ago, to further their pursuit of carbon neutrality. When the husband and wife founding pair met in Glasgow Caledonian University during the 90s they were both doing a degree in Energy and Environmental Systems, so it makes sense as to why they have sustainability at the front of their minds. This is another step toward Net zero in the brewing industry, this will help the longevity of the industry as we are adapting in order to survive change.

Diageo North America has managed to produce whisky that is carbon neutral, they have done this by using renewable energy to power the whole site. Even the vehicles around the site are electric. The renewables that they are using is a mix of wind and solar power. Diageo says that the renewable energy is being used to power an electrode boiler which is used after the mashing and during the cooking of the rye and other grains. This is the largest example of a site like this in North America. Diageo says that the site will avoid the production of 17,000 metric tons of CO2. (This is the site BTW, its in Lebanon, Kentucky)

The production of CO2 has become a large portion of what companies think about these days, as the general public has become more aware of climate change. This is because of activists and the publicity of certain protests since covid and when everyone’s priorities changed.

CO2 is a greenhouse gas, that means that the gas is trapping heat in the atmosphere. CO2 and greenhouse gasses are naturally occurring but in the last couple centuries humans have increases the amount of gas in our atmosphere. The governments of the world have been trying to decrease the amount of CO2 that has been produced in the last few years.

The UK government is trying to encourage companies to make the swich to more renewable forms of energy, one of the ways that they are doing this is by providing funding for the smaller companies that would struggle with the swich, as there are a lot of upfront costs that comes it. Stewart’s brewing spent £300k on their sustainability projects, this cost was aided by a grant of 100K (which was interest free) from the Scottish government. There are grants available to a whole range of companies, but there is specific one going to the top 10 export of the UK.

Thanks for my little rant.

Next time, recyclable packaging

[diagnozabam]

Audi începe producția de mașini electrice la noua uzină din China: modele PPE pentru piața locală

Constructorul german Audi a demarat producția de vehicule electrice la noua sa uzină din Changchun, China, prin intermediul joint-venture-ului Audi FAW NEV Company, format în parteneriat cu FAW. Construcția uzinei a început la mijlocul anului 2022, iar acum este complet operațională, având capacitatea de a produce peste 150.000 de unități anual. Fabrica Audi din Changchun: un exemplu de…

[transsolar]

The Transsolar staff agreed it is time to act now, took initiative, and decided to offset our CO2 emissions.

[danmoscatiello]

How Government Policies Can Achieve Carbon Neutrality

The global challenge of climate change demands urgent and coordinated action from governments worldwide. Achieving carbon neutrality—balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or elimination—requires comprehensive strategies and robust policies. Governments play a crucial role in leading this transition by implementing policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and foster sustainable development. This article explores various strategies that governments can adopt to achieve carbon neutrality, including carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, energy efficiency standards, transportation policies, waste management improvements, climate finance, and international cooperation.

Implementing Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing is one of the most effective tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It involves setting a price on carbon emissions to encourage businesses and consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. There are two main types of carbon pricing: carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems.

A carbon tax directly sets a price on carbon by defining a tax rate on greenhouse gas emissions or the carbon content of fossil fuels. This approach provides a clear economic signal to emitters to reduce their emissions. For example, Canada’s carbon pricing plan, which aims to reach CAD 170 per ton by 2030, incentivizes businesses to adopt cleaner technologies​. This policy has already shown promising results, with significant reductions in emissions reported since its implementation.

Cap-and-trade systems, on the other hand, set a limit (cap) on the total level of greenhouse gas emissions and allow industries with low emissions to sell their extra allowances to larger emitters. The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the world’s largest cap-and-trade system, covering more than 11,000 power stations and industrial plants across 30 countries​​. This system not only caps total emissions but also creates a financial incentive for companies to innovate and reduce their carbon footprint.

Both carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems have been effective in reducing emissions where implemented. They provide a market-based approach to environmental regulation, allowing businesses to find the most cost-effective ways to cut emissions. Additionally, the revenue generated from carbon pricing can be used to fund renewable energy projects, further driving the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Promoting Renewable Energy

Governments can achieve carbon neutrality by promoting the development and deployment of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Financial incentives, such as subsidies, tax credits, and grants, can encourage investment in renewable energy projects. For instance, the United States has pledged significant public funding for clean energy infrastructure and technologies, including green hydrogen and advanced nuclear power​. These investments are essential for transitioning away from fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

China’s commitment to reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 involves substantial investments in renewable energy sources​. The country has become a global leader in renewable energy, with significant growth in wind and solar power capacity. By investing in renewable energy, governments can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

Moreover, governments can implement policies that facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid. This includes investing in energy storage technologies, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, which can store excess renewable energy for use when demand is high or supply is low. Grid modernization efforts, such as smart grids, can also enhance the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems.

Strengthening Energy Efficiency Standards

Improving energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and industrial processes is crucial for reducing emissions. Governments can set stringent energy efficiency standards and provide incentives for retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient technologies. For example, the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires member states to adopt energy efficiency measures in new and existing buildings​. This directive includes setting minimum energy performance standards and ensuring that all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings by 2021.

In the United States, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO) develops and implements energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment. These standards have led to significant energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. By setting high energy efficiency standards, governments can reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills for consumers, and decrease overall emissions.

Additionally, governments can promote energy efficiency through public awareness campaigns and programs that provide technical assistance and financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. Programs like the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in the U.S. help low-income households reduce their energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

Transforming Transportation

The transportation sector is a significant source of carbon emissions. Governments can promote carbon neutrality by encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs), improving public transportation, and investing in cycling and walking infrastructure. Policies such as subsidies for EV purchases, investments in charging infrastructure, and regulations to phase out internal combustion engines are crucial. For example, California aims to achieve 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 as part of its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2045​​.

In addition to promoting EVs, governments can enhance public transportation systems to reduce reliance on private vehicles. This includes expanding and modernizing bus and rail networks, implementing dedicated bus lanes, and improving the affordability and accessibility of public transit. Cities like Copenhagen and Tokyo have demonstrated that well-developed public transportation networks can significantly reduce urban emissions.

Investing in active transportation infrastructure, such as bike lanes and pedestrian pathways, can also encourage more sustainable modes of transport. By making cities more walkable and bike-friendly, governments can reduce emissions, improve public health, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Enhancing Waste Management

Effective waste management policies can significantly reduce methane emissions from landfills. Governments can implement policies that promote recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies. For instance, Sweden’s waste management policies have successfully diverted a significant portion of waste from landfills to recycling and energy recovery, contributing to its carbon neutrality goals​​. By setting high recycling targets and imposing landfill taxes, Sweden has created a circular economy that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.

Governments can also invest in technologies that convert waste into energy, such as anaerobic digestion and incineration with energy recovery. These technologies can reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and generate renewable energy, further contributing to carbon neutrality.

Public education and outreach programs are essential for promoting sustainable waste management practices. By raising awareness about the environmental benefits of recycling and composting, governments can encourage individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable behaviors.

Mobilizing Climate Finance

Achieving carbon neutrality requires substantial financial investments. Governments can mobilize climate finance by allocating public funds for green projects and leveraging private sector investments through public-private partnerships. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is an example of an international initiative that provides financial support to developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation projects​. By mobilizing both public and private resources, the GCF aims to support the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

Governments can also create green banks or financial institutions that provide low-interest loans and grants for renewable energy projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and other sustainable initiatives. These institutions can help de-risk investments in green technologies and attract private capital.

Additionally, carbon pricing revenues can be used to fund climate initiatives. By reinvesting the proceeds from carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems into renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation projects, governments can accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality.

Fostering International Cooperation

Climate change is a global issue that requires coordinated international efforts. Governments must work together to share knowledge, technology, and resources to achieve carbon neutrality. International agreements like the Paris Agreement play a vital role in fostering global cooperation. Under this agreement, countries have committed to limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C​. The agreement also emphasizes the need for developed countries to support developing nations in their climate efforts.

Collaborative frameworks, such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), facilitate knowledge exchange and technical cooperation between countries. By participating in these frameworks, governments can learn from each other’s experiences and implement best practices in their own climate policies.

Regional cooperation is also crucial for addressing transboundary environmental issues. For example, the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the northeastern United States are examples of successful regional initiatives that promote carbon reduction through collective action.

In Conclusion

Government policies are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By implementing carbon pricing, promoting renewable energy, strengthening energy efficiency standards, transforming transportation, enhancing waste management, mobilizing climate finance, and fostering international cooperation, governments can create a sustainable and resilient future. These strategies require a collaborative effort from policymakers, businesses, and communities to ensure that we meet our global climate goals and protect the planet for future generations.

Achieving carbon neutrality is not only an environmental imperative but also an opportunity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve public health. By adopting comprehensive and ambitious policies, governments can lead the way in the global fight against climate change. The path to carbon neutrality is challenging, but with determined action and international collaboration, it is achievable.