lowcarbon

Low-carbon is a term used to describe goods, services, processes, and energy systems that emit substantially fewer greenhouse gases than conventional alternatives during their life cycle. It is often used in reference to strategies that reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change. The concept is applied at multiple scales, from products and buildings to entire economies, and is central to international climate policy and corporate strategy.

Measurement and reporting of low-carbon performance typically rely on carbon accounting frameworks such as life cycle assessment and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Emissions are categorized into scopes (1-3) to reflect direct and indirect sources. A product or project is considered low-carbon when its total emissions per unit of output are reduced relative to a defined baseline, or when the energy it uses comes from low-carbon sources.

Common strategies to achieve low-carbon outcomes include improving energy efficiency, electrifying end-use sectors with low-carbon electricity, deploying renewable energy, switching fuels to less carbon-intensive options, and deploying carbon capture, usage, and storage or other negative-emission technologies. Nature-based solutions and the circular economy are also integrated to reduce overall carbon intensity across systems, materials, and supply chains.

Policies and markets that promote low-carbon development include carbon pricing or emissions trading, subsidies or tax incentives for clean energy, performance standards, and corporate net-zero targets aligned with science-based trajectories. Technological progress and falling costs in renewables and storage have accelerated adoption, though challenges such as system integration, upfront capital, policy uncertainty, and equity considerations persist.

While the term is widely used across industries, there is no universal definition of 'low-carbon' beyond the goal of reducing emissions. In practice, it denotes a spectrum of solutions and benchmarks that aim to minimize carbon intensity while meeting economic and social objectives.