Decarbonization is crucial for safeguarding the future of the Earth, as it can directly address climate change, protect ecosystems, and ensure a sustainable world for future generations.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will suppress global temperatures. Since the Industrial Revolution, global temperatures have been steadily rising, with an increase of 0.20 degrees Celsius every decade since 1982. The hottest decade on record has occurred in the past decade, with 2023 being the hottest year. The global temperature rise leads to extreme weather, rising sea levels, ecosystem destruction, and threats to food, water, and health. These impacts undermine economic stability, exacerbate inequality, displace communities, and pose a serious threat to humanity and the planet.

Although reducing the use of fossil fuels is the best way to achieve the goals of the <Paris Agreement>, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stipulated that removing carbon from the atmosphere must also be an inherent part of decarbonization strategies. The existing carbon dioxide in the air can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, affecting the climate.

What is decarbonization strategy?

Decarbonization refers to the systematic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This process is crucial for mitigating climate change, involving a transition from carbon intensive practices to sustainable alternative practices.

The decarbonization strategy is a structured framework that outlines how businesses can effectively achieve these emission reduction targets. It involves a comprehensive assessment of current emissions, setting clear and measurable goals, and implementing tailored action plans. These plans may include adopting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and optimizing operational practices to minimize environmental impact.

In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, a strong decarbonization strategy can also enable companies to proactively manage climate related risks, improve operational resilience, and align their business goals with the growing demand for environmental responsibility.

Achieving decarbonization by reducing carbon dioxide

A key element of decarbonization is reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Enterprises contribute to reducing carbon emissions through various strategies and activities, including:

• Renewable Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Energy efficiency: Improve energy efficiency by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, equipment, and appliances. Implement intelligent systems to optimize the heating, cooling, and lighting of buildings.
• Sustainable transportation: Encourage the use of electric vehicles, carpooling, public transportation, or cycling. Provide incentives for remote or hybrid work modes to reduce travel emissions.
• Waste reduction and recycling: Minimize the generation of waste, implement recycling plans, and encourage the use of environmentally friendly materials in manufacturing and packaging processes.
• Supply Chain Management: Collaborate with suppliers who prioritize sustainable development and use low-carbon materials. Optimize logistics to reduce transportation emissions.
• Carbon credits: Investing in carbon credits to offset difficult to reduce emissions.
• Process optimization: Optimize production processes to use less energy and generate fewer emissions, including the use of cleaner technologies.

Which industries are the most difficult to decarbonize?

Plastics, cement, and shipping are among the hardest industries to decarbonize. According to data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these industries have the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. They are also included in the list of industries that are “most difficult to reduce emissions”, such as the Energy Transition Committee’s (ETC) report “Possible Tasks: Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions from the Most Difficult Industries to Reduce Emissions“.

What are the three ways to reduce carbon emissions from plastic products?

Natural fiber additive
Using existing agricultural infrastructure, the Heartland team has demonstrated that natural fibers such as hemp fiber are a suitable alternative to minerals and synthetic additives to achieve decarbonization of plastics.

Recycled plastic
Collecting, processing, and recycling plastics is a major opportunity for manufacturers. Providing almost native plastics is a powerful opportunity to leverage the circular economy, create employment opportunities, and clean the world.
The challenge of recycling lies in the collection process, and encouraging people around the world to recycle requires a systematic change in their daily behavior psychology. Unfortunately, the numbers have not improved.
If done correctly, recycling can become a low-cost supplement to plastic products and further reduce the carbon footprint of finished products.

Biobased plastics
From a practical perspective, bioplastics are almost non-existent. Some large agricultural companies are developing products made from corn or sugar, but the adoption rate is slow and the scale is insufficient.
In the long run, as the transition to electric vehicles reduces the demand for these two biofuels, farmland will shift from ethanol and biodiesel to bioplastics.
When bioplastic production solves its cost and production challenges, global adoption and investment will make significant breakthroughs.