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
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