Small Carbon Footprint Power Generation by WOIMA – WOIMA Blog 2/2023

Carbon neutral is a term that refers to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to zero or to a level that is balanced by activities that absorb carbon dioxide, such as reforestation. Net zero refers to a situation where the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed. This means that all emissions are either offset or reduced to zero.

Net zero and carbon neutral are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between them. Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero are two strategies for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from our activities. Carbon neutrality, also known as carbon neutrality or carbon-neutrality, is the process of eliminating net carbon emissions from a company’s operations and activities.

Carbon neutrality means that all emissions produced by the company are offset or reduced in such a way that the net contribution to the atmosphere is zero. To achieve carbon neutrality, companies need to reduce the emissions they produce, purchase carbon offsets to offset emissions, or use renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels. On the other hand, net zero is a more ambitious goal than carbon neutrality. It is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is equal to or less than the amount of emissions that are taken out of the atmosphere. In other words, the goal of net zero is to reduce emissions to a point where the planet’s climate would remain stable and not experience any further warming. To achieve this goal, companies need to reduce their emissions to a level that is at least 80% lower than what they were in 1990.

The two strategies have different implications for businesses. Carbon neutrality is a relatively simple and achievable goal, as it does not require any significant changes to existing operations and activities. However, achieving net zero is a much more challenging and expensive goal. Companies need to invest in renewable energy sources, switch to more energy-efficient equipment, and reduce emissions from transportation and other activities in order to reach this goal. The two strategies are also different in terms of their impact on the environment. Carbon neutrality is focused on reducing the emissions that are produced, while net zero is focused on eliminating the emissions altogether. As a result, carbon neutrality can help reduce the impact of climate change, while net zero can help prevent it.

Overall, while carbon neutrality and net zero are both important strategies for reducing emissions, they are not the same. Carbon neutrality is a more achievable goal that involves reducing the emissions that are produced, while net zero is a more ambitious goal that requires eliminating emissions altogether. Companies should consider both strategies and develop plans to reach their individual climate goals.

Our offering to net zero power generation, the wasteWOIMA^® CCUS consists of a wasteWOIMA^® WtE plant, a robust solution for combusting different waste streams to energy, and a scalable ccWOIMA^® carbon capture plant capturing 20,000 to 200,000 tpa. of CO₂ out of the plant’s flue gas stream. A single boiler island (WOIMAline) wasteWOIMA^® plant uses roughly 40,000 to 50,000 tons of waste fuel per annum. Several WOIMAlines can be integrated to create a larger power plant.

Find out more about the facts behind carbon neutral vs. net zero at (8) What’s the difference between carbon neutral and net zero? – YouTube

Read more about our net zero waste-to-energy solutions below.

Read more about us at www.woimacorporation.com

WOIMA Corporation is a Finnish supplier of best-in-class waste-to-value products, projects and services worldwide. We have developed solutions that enable us, and the customer, to transform and recycle virtually any waste stream into raw materials and energy. At WOIMA we combine Finnish engineering know-how in waste management with power generation design expertise. These solutions are used in Finland every day. They support the circular economy ideology and ensure that less than 1% of Finland’s waste ends up in landfills.

Our mission is to improve quality of life both locally and globally, as well as empower people to utilize waste as a commodity. Our decades of international project management experience ensure an on-time, in-budget and high-quality WOIMA solution delivery across the globe.