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
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.





















