Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review

Abstract

The increasing global industrialization and over-exploitation of fossil fuels has induced the release of greenhouse gases, leading to an increase in global temperature and causing environmental issues. There is therefore an urgent necessity to reach net-zero carbon emissions. Only 4.5% of countries have achieved carbon neutrality, and most countries are still planning to do so by 2050–2070. Moreover, synergies between different countries have hampered synergies between adaptation and mitigation policies, as well as their co-benefits. Here, we present a strategy to reach a carbon neutral economy by examining the outcome goals of the 26th summit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26). Methods have been designed for mapping carbon emissions, such as input–output models, spatial systems, geographic information system maps, light detection and ranging techniques, and logarithmic mean divisia. We present decarbonization technologies and initiatives, and negative emissions technologies, and we discuss carbon trading and carbon tax. We propose plans for carbon neutrality such as shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, and the development of low-carbon technologies, low-carbon agriculture, changing dietary habits and increasing the value of food and agricultural waste. Developing resilient buildings and cities, introducing decentralized energy systems, and the electrification of the transportation sector is also necessary. We also review the life cycle analysis of carbon neutral systems.

Cultivation of microalgae on liquid anaerobic digestate for depollution, biofuels and cosmetics: a review

“…Solid wastes are originally derived from domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors (Tawfik et al 2021b;Chen et al 2022). Those wastes are abundant in developing countries and cause severe economic and environmental problems Fig.…”

Transitioning to carbon neutrality in Bahrain: a policy brief

“…Carbon sinks can be grouped into nature and technology-based sinks (Figure 2). Based on the carbon capture systems, carbon capture approaches can be classified into pre-combustion, post-combustion, and oxyfuel combustion (Osman, Hefny, Abdel Maksoud, Elgarahy, & Rooney, 2021;Chen et al, 2022). Examples of carbon sinks include carbon sequestration in plantations, blue carbon sequestration and adopting carbon dioxide removal (CDR) or CCUS technologies for power generation and the industrial sector (Fawzy et al, 2020).…”

“…There are also concerns relating to the end-of-life waste produced by these technologies, such as solar panel waste (Daniela-Abigail et al, 2021;Mathur, Gregory, & Hogan, 2021). Therefore, it is recommended AGJSR that all decarbonization technologies undergo a lifecycle assessment (Chen et al, 2022). Additional concerns are also evident in literature in relation to generating a green paradox, where direct and indirect rebound effects are created.…”

“…Carbon sinks can be grouped into nature and technology-based sinks (Figure 2). Based on the carbon capture systems, carbon capture approaches can be classified into pre-combustion, post-combustion, and oxyfuel combustion (Osman, Hefny, Abdel Maksoud, Elgarahy, & Rooney, 2021; Chen et al. , 2022).…”

Integration of biogas systems into a carbon zero and hydrogen economy: a review

“…The 2022 Ukraine conflict has put pressure on gas supplies, highlighting the need for more local energy resources. Renewable green energy transitions are necessary to mitigate global climate change and reduce carbon emissions worldwide (Levenda et al 2021;Chen et al 2022a). Bioenergy generation via anaerobic digestion of biomass in conjunction with carbon capture and storage or utilisation is one of the most frequently discussed negative emissions tools in recent years (Al-Wahaibi et al 2020).…”