Grainger, A orcid.org/0000-0001-8803-6013 and Smith, G (2021) The role of low carbon and high carbon materials in carbon neutrality science and carbon economics. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 49. pp. 164-189. ISSN 1877-3435
Abstract
Focusing on switching the energy inputs to economies from fossil fuels to renewable energy and neglecting material outputs gives an overoptimistic picture of achieving carbon neutrality. We propose a set of equations that integrate analysis of energy and materials, provide a framework for a new carbon neutrality science, and lead to three carbon neutrality conditions. The equations are applied to low carbon materials, such as metals, and high carbon materials, such as wood. Refining carbon is the key carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions source to minimize for steel and aluminium, but slow technological change could create a ‘carbon neutrality gap’ by 2050. This will increase in size unless forest expansion is accelerated to offset remaining CO2 emissions. Principles of a new carbon economics are proposed and applied. Policy priorities include integrating energy and materials in carbon neutrality strategies, strengthening carbon reporting standards, establishing national wood products databases, increasing afforestation rates, and controlling deforestation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an author produced version of an article published in Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Ecology & Global Change (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Sep 2021 14:36 |
Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2022 00:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.cosust.2021.06.006 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:177572 |