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Displaying 41 - 50 of 208 Terms

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1. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

   A two-step measure to prevent carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels entering the atmosphere, particularly from power generation. Instead of CO2 being vented, it is contained and pumped underground under pressure, where it cannot contribute to global warming. This technology is still in its infancy with results largely unproven. Also known as one form of 'carbon sequestration'.

2. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e)

   Measurement unit used to indicate the global warming potential (GWP) of greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is the reference gas against which other greenhouse gases are measured. See Global Warming Potential for conversion rates.

3. Carbon Emission Factor (CEF)

   Amount of CO2 released per unit of energy produced.

4. Carbon leakage

   Carbon leakage occurs when there is an increase in carbon dioxide emissions in one country as a result of an emissions reduction by a second country with a strict climate policy.

5. Carbon Neutrality

   An individual, household or organisation that is responsible for no net emissions of greenhouse gases from all its activities is considered "carbon neutral". Emissions must be cut to a minimum and any necessary emissions then offset by emission reducing activities elsewhere. Buying accredited clean electricity helps cut household or office greenhouse emissions, while investing in sustainable energy projects or afforestation schemes are examples of offsets.

6. Carbon Offset

   A carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

7. Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)

   The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is a cap-and-trade system of emissions trading for anthropogenic greenhouse gases, due to be introduced in Australia in 2010 by the Rudd government, as part of its climate change policy, marking a change in the Energy policy of Australia.

8. Carbon Sink

   A carbon sink is a natural or manmade reservoir that accumulates and stores some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period. The main natural sinks are: Absorption of carbon dioxide by the oceans and Photosynthesis by plants and algae. The main manmade sinks are: Landfills and Carbon capture and storage proposals. The process by which carbon sinks remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is known as CO2 sequestration or carbon sequestration.

9. Carbon Trading

   The process of buying and selling carbon credits. Large companies or organisations are assigned a quota of carbon that they are allowed to emit. If a company's emissions are less than its quota then it can sell credits if emissions are more then it will need to buy carbon credits.

10. CDM

    Clean Development Mechanism. A Kyoto Protocol initiative under which projects set up in developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generate tradable credits called CERs, the first step towards a global carbon market. These credits can be used by industrialised nations to offset carbon emissions at home and meet their Kyoto reduction targets. The projects include renewable energy generation, reforestation and clean fuels switching. See also JI

Displaying 41 - 50 of 208 Terms

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10