zeroemission

Zeroemission refers to activities, technologies, or products that do not emit greenhouse gases or pollutants during operation. The term is used across sectors such as electricity generation, transportation, buildings, and industry. In strict usage, zero-emission denotes no emissions at the point of use; in broader life-cycle assessments it may require that all stages—from production to end-of-life—result in net-zero or negligible emissions.

Common zero-emission technologies include electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro), nuclear power, and electrochemical devices powered by clean electricity. Transportation examples include electric vehicles, battery electric buses, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles charged with zero-emission electricity. Buildings can achieve zero-emission operation by relying on on-site solar or district-generated clean power and highly efficient systems; industry seeks to electrify processes and use low-carbon fuels or carbon capture to reach net-zero operation.

Measuring zero-emission performance typically uses life-cycle assessment or well-to-wheel analyses, recognizing that emissions can occur in manufacturing, fuel production, or power generation. Policy frameworks often link zero-emission targets to standards and incentives, such as vehicle zero-emission mandates, green power procurement, and building energy codes. Certification labels vary by jurisdiction and may define different baselines and time horizons.

Challenges include ensuring reliable zero-emission power supply to meet demand, reducing lifecycle emissions from energy storage and manufacturing, and addressing material and recycling needs for technologies like batteries. The term is sometimes distinguished from net-zero, which allows residual emissions to be balanced by removals or offsets.