decarbonization
dee-kar-bun-ih-ZAY-shun
/ˌdiːˌkɑːrbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/
The reduction or removal of carbon dioxide emissions from a process, such as manufacturing or the energy sector.
It is a systemic term. It doesn't just mean 'using less oil', but redesigning entire economies to function without emitting carbon.
The story behind the word. A modern word built from 'carbon' and the prefix 'de-' (to remove). It reflects our era's unique need to undo two centuries of carbon-based industrialization.
Commonly confused with
- carbon neutral: Carbon neutral means balancing emissions with offsets; decarbonization means stopping the emissions at the source.
Word family
- decarbonize (verb): To remove carbon from.
Collocations
- rapid decarbonization
- decarbonization goals
- decarbonization pathway
- industrial decarbonization
Example sentences
- "The decarbonization of the global economy is the greatest challenge of the 21st century." Global Strategy
- "Steel production requires new technologies to achieve full decarbonization." Industrial Innovation
Memory hook
DE-CARBON-ization: Taking the carbon out of the equation. Removing the carbon.
When not to use
Don't use it for simple recycling. It refers to the fundamental energy source of a system.
Fun facts
- The term was rarely used before the 1990s, but it is now at the heart of every international climate summit.
Related words
Explore more words
decarbonize, dematerialization, decouple, Renewable Energy, regenerative, sequester
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