Gross emissions, net emissions, and carbon neutrality

This infographic visually explains the concepts of Gross Emissions, Net Emissions, and Carbon Neutrality, with each pathway demonstrating a different approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s a breakdown of the key sections and terms illustrated:

1. Gross Emissions

• Depicted as emissions directly released from industrial sources (factories) without any mitigation.
• Represents total emissions before any reductions or offsets are applied.

2. Net Emissions

• Shows emissions after applying some degree of emission reduction or offsetting efforts.
• Highlights the concept of Carbon Neutrality, achieved when emissions are balanced by an equivalent amount of carbon removal or offset.

3. Carbon Neutrality

• Divided into two paths:
  • Fixed Actions: Actions that lead to direct reductions in emissions (e.g., adopting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency).
  • True Offsets: Offsetting emissions by investing in external carbon reduction projects, like reforestation or renewable energy credits.
• The graphic indicates the role of nature-based solutions (trees) and technology in offsetting emissions.

4. Zero Emissions

• Represents achieving Net-Zero Emissions or Zero Carbon, where all emissions are either deeply reduced or fully offset.
• Focuses on deep reductions with minimal reliance on offsets, often requiring significant operational and technological changes to fully eliminate emissions.

5. Additional Concepts

• Carbon Sink: Illustrated by forests and green spaces, showing how they absorb CO₂ and contribute to emission reductions.
• Offset Programs: These include initiatives like carbon credits that help neutralize emissions from unavoidable sources.
• Deep Emissions Reductions: Emphasized in the transition from gross to net emissions, encouraging substantial decreases at the source.

The visual reinforces that achieving Net-Zero Emissions requires both substantial emissions cuts and the use of carbon offsets for any unavoidable emissions. It also underscores that Carbon Neutrality involves balancing emissions through both internal reductions and external offsets, while Gross Emissions represent emissions without any mitigation actions.

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