Decarbonation, or decarbonization: what are we talking about? Where to start your CO2 emission reduction initiative? In this article, discover why this environmental challenge is a real opportunity for businesses… And the 3 levers to implement immediately for a low-carbon activity.
1. Decarbonation or decarbonization: what is it?
1.1 Decarbonation: definition
Decarbonation (or decarbonization) is "the set of measures and techniques aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. " (Official Journal, 2019).
We can talk about decarbonation at the level of an individual, a company, an industry, or even a country.
Sometimes, this term is reduced to the simple act of replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon energies… However, it is indeed a more global process that needs to be initiated to decarbonize the economy ! Stay tuned: this is what we will see in the second part of this article.
Decarbonization or decarbonation? In fact, both are correct and have the same meaning! However, it is indeed the term "decarbonation" that is used in official texts.
1.2 Less carbon: what does the law say?
Environmental issues are increasingly present in the law — at the French level, but also European. And fortunately, indeed!
Many regulations govern the actions of companies, for example, imposing the monitoring and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Thus, the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) sets an ambitious but necessary goal: achieving carbon neutrality, at the scale of France, by 2050. Zero net emissions.
To achieve this, the SNBC defines several intermediate objectives.
Among other things: the industrial sector will have to reduce its emissions by 35% by 2030 compared to 2015, and by 81% by 2050. Concretely? It "only" takes to improve the energy efficiency of the industrial sector by 20% between 2010 and 2030, per ton produced.
So, how to do it?
2. How to decarbonize your company? 3 levers
2.1 3 levers to reduce carbon emissions
ADEME identifies 3 levers to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Energy efficiency. This involves reducing energy consumption. For example, replacing aging equipment, optimizing machine usage, or insulating buildings and lowering office heating.
- Energy mix. This involves opting for low-carbon energy sources: electrifying usages that can be, integrating renewable energies, implementing waste heat recovery, promoting soft mobility, etc.
- Material efficiency and recycling. This involves using less raw materials. Eco-design of products, industrial and territorial ecology, choice of recycled materials, waste management, etc. This 3rd lever reminds us that carbon emissions do not come only from energy… On the contrary: it is important to assess one's environmental footprint throughout the life cycle of products. When a company imports raw materials or parts, it also imports (in a certain way) the carbon emissions necessary for their production. Optimizing the use of resources is therefore contributing to the decarbonation of the company.
2.2 Managing remaining carbon emissions with the carbon contribution
For the remaining carbon emissions, we use the carbon contribution. This involves storing or avoiding an equivalent of its GHG emissions.
This term groups the methods of…
- Sequestration. This involves keeping carbon in its solid form over the long term. It is a natural process in carbon sinks. Indeed, oceans, soils (rich in biomass) and forests contain a significant amount of carbon. And fortunately! This process can be reproduced artificially. Example: wood construction.
- Capture. This involves trapping carbon dioxide molecules to remove them from the atmosphere in the long term. Example: tree planting, technologies in development.
- Avoidance. This involves investing in projects that avoid greenhouse gas emissions. Example: renewable energy or soft mobility installations.
Carbon capture and compensation are necessary, but are only a small part of the effort needed to achieve our climate goals. These methods do indeed contain a degree of uncertainty, and their positive impacts are often delayed over time.
The real priority is to reduce our emissions. Many, everyone, quickly.
3. Reduce CO2 emissions: what are the challenges for businesses and industries?
3.1 A multitude of parameters to consider
Decarbonizing businesses requires balancing a multitude of challenges — technical, economic, financial, and societal.
A successful strategy must…
- Support the development of the company.
- Deliver results (environmental, social, economic) in the short term as well as in the long term.
- Be part of the low-carbon approach of the territory.
- Involve and raise awareness among stakeholders.
- Be consistent with the ambitious goals set by the IPCC — namely, staying imperatively below 2 °C of warming compared to the beginning of the industrial era, and as much as possible below 1.5 °C.
3.2 Act now to avoid suffering tomorrow
Decarbonizing the company requires investments. But postponing the low-carbon transition until the law or context leaves no other choice… Would be even worse.
See decarbonization as a fantastic opportunity to seize right now.
- Competitive advantage, as customers and partners increasingly demand environmental commitments.
- Credibility and trust among stakeholders.
- Sustainable competitiveness, particularly in light of evolving regulations and taxes related to CO2 emissions.
- Spreading investments over time.
- Access to grants and subsidies for the ecological transition.
- Process optimization, throughout the production chain — leading to improved product quality, financial savings, and better workplace well-being.
You understand: it's time to decarbonize your processes, anticipate legal changes, and stand out your company!
3.3 Where to start to reduce carbon emissions?
Time for action!
Before any energy efficiency action or optimization of your processes, you will need to conduct a carbon footprint assessment. This will give you a snapshot of your greenhouse gas emissions… As well as the most relevant levers to reduce your carbon footprint.
It is only after this initial audit that you can move on to the action plan.
Note: ADEME has created sector-specific transition plans for the decarbonization of industries, sector by sector. For industrial companies, energy efficiency is a priority.
You understand: decarbonization is nothing more than the reduction of CO2 emissions — for a company, an entity, a territory, etc. The definition is simple, but the stakes are high… So are the opportunities for return on investment! Commit to global carbon neutrality by starting with your company's carbon footprint.
Sources:
- Commission for the Enrichment of the French Language — Vocabulary of the Environment: Climate-Carbon, Official Journal of the French Republic, September 2019.
- Understanding the Stakes of Decarbonization, ADEME, accessed in June 2022
- Sectoral Transition Plans, ADEME and Finance Clim Act, accessed in June 2022.
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