Decarbonise
The London Plan, Published by the Mayor of London in March 2016, suggests that to decarbonise is: ‘To remove or reduce the potential carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere from a process or structure.’
The Energy White Paper, Powering our Net Zero Future (CP 337), published in December 2020 by HM Government, defines decarbonisation as: ‘A process of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere.’
Anticipate, react, recover; Resilient infrastructure systems, published by the National Infrastructure Commission in May 2020, suggests: ‘Decarbonisation refers to the removal or reduction of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions with the purpose of reducing the impact of climate change.’
Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, Glossary, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018, defines decarbonization as: ‘The process by which countries, individuals or other entities aim to achieve zero fossil carbon existence. Typically refers to a reduction of the carbon emissions associated with electricity, industry and transport.’
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023, published by the Welsh Government in October 2023, defines decarbonisation as: ‘To largely eliminate the release of Green House Gasses produced as a result of a process or activity.’
See also: Decarbonisation solutions.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carbon.
- Decarbonisation solutions.
- Decarbonising concrete in the UK.
- London plan.
- Carbon capture and storage.
- Carbon emissions.
- Carbon footprint.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon neutral.
- Carbon Takeback Obligation CTBO.
- Climate Change Act.
- Embodied carbon.
- Keeping 1.5°C Alive: Closing the Gap in the 2020s.
- Low carbon.
- Net zero and green jobs.
- Net-zero carbon.
- Operational carbon.
Featured articles and news
Sir John Betjeman’s love of Victorian church architecture.
Exchange for Change for UK deposit return scheme
The UK Deposit Management Organisation established to deliver Deposit Return Scheme unveils trading name.
A guide to integrating heat pumps
As the Future Homes Standard approaches Future Homes Hub publishes hints and tips for Architects and Architectural Technologists.
BSR as a standalone body; statements, key roles, context
Statements from key figures in key and changing roles.
ECA launches Welsh Election Manifesto
ECA calls on political parties at 100 day milestone to the Senedd elections.
Resident engagement as the key to successful retrofits
Retrofit is about people, not just buildings, from early starts to beyond handover.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.


















