Loweremission

Loweremission is a broad term used to describe technologies, policies, and practices that reduce the release of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. It encompasses efforts across energy, transport, industry, and buildings aimed at lowering overall emissions and emissions intensity. The term is often encountered in climate policy, corporate sustainability, and environmental regulations. Emissions are commonly measured in CO2-equivalents (CO2e) and can be reported as absolute reductions or as reductions per unit of economic output.

Approaches to achieve lower emissions include decarbonizing the energy supply by increasing the share of low- and zero-emission electricity, along with energy efficiency improvements. Electrification of heat and transport, supported by clean generation, is another major strategy. In industry, lower-emission processes may involve switching to less carbon-intensive inputs, product redesign, process optimization, and carbon capture and storage or utilization. Buildings can reduce emissions through better insulation, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and smart building management. Transportation strategies include electrification, modal shifts to rail and public transport, and fuels with lower life-cycle emissions, such as low-carbon hydrogen.

Policy and market mechanisms play a key role, including emissions trading schemes, carbon taxes, subsidies for clean technologies, and standards such as vehicle and appliance efficiency regulations. Corporate reporting frameworks and lifecycle assessments help quantify progress, including Scope 1–3 emissions.

Challenges include higher upfront costs, the need for reliable low-emission energy, grid integration, and addressing social equity impacts. Nonetheless, loweremission pathways are central to many national and corporate climate goals.