Embodied Carbon

Renewable energies have given the World a ray of hope, over the dark clouds of climate change. Energy efficiency measures have also increased the possibilities of cutting down on greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. But whilst we focused on legislations and moral persuasions on individuals and businesses to compel them to cut down on their carbon footprints, we have somewhat forgotten that the production of these renewable energy assets contributes a significant quota to carbon flaring. This is called “Embedded Carbon”. In the euphoria of discovering ways to create energy from non-fossil fuel sources, we have taken our eyes of the ball. We started singing victory songs, when we still have enemy spies in our camp! Embedded carbon, as known as ‘embodied carbon’, is the last piece of the puzzle, which is yet to be cracked. It is important to note at this point, that whilst the possibilities provided by renewable energies are laudable, our ultimate goal from onset, was carbon-neutrality. Not low-carbon. If it was just ‘low carbon’; Gas, as an energy source, had provided a viable alternative for the World – barring the carbon flaring that also takes place during gas explorations. But the global agenda is “zero carbon”; and all oars mustn’t rest, till we paddle our way to that desired destination. This book, seeks to unravel the carbon enigma. It also proposes a tailored route that will see the World to true carbon neutrality, by proposing “the carbon repayment cycle”. This process, if meticulously followed, will see the World to zero-carbon status, within a space of 20 to 30 years.