Carbon dioxide avoidance and reduction
Introduction
Nature-based approaches
a) REDD+
REDD+ is an international framework developed by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2005.
‘REDD’ stands for ‘Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation’ in developing countries. The ‘+’ stands for additional forest-related activities that protect the climate, namely sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks1.
REDD+ changes the course of deforestation by incentivizing developing countries to take social, policy and environmental measures to help conserve forests through five activities: i) reducing emissions from deforestation, ii) reducing emissions from forest degradation, iii) conservation of forests carbon stock, iv) sustainable management of forests, and v) enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
REDD+ projects reduce emissions by preventing the loss of threatened forests. The projects can be undertaken by communities, NGOs, national or local governments, or companies. Through REDD+, buyers and financial partners drive resources directly to the ground level by purchasing carbon credits from projects that have been verified by 3rd parties to high-quality environmental and social standards, and which have verifiably reduced deforestation in accordance with those standards.
The Chyulu Hills Carbon Project is an initiative that was developed in 2017, by Conservation International , Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust and other partners. The aim of this project was to prevent deforestation, and support the livelihoods and well-being of local communities.
Located near Mount Kilimanjaro, the Chyulu Hills land is home to Maasai and Kamba communities, as well as Kenya’s largest population of African elephants and the critically-endangered black rhino.
Unfortunately, overgrazing, poaching and deforestation, especially for agriculture and charcoal production have put increased pressure on the land, wildlife and people. The aim of this project is to protect forests while providing local people with alternative sources of income that deters the need to clear more forest.
Companies or individuals looking to reduce their carbon pollution can buy and trade forest-based carbon credits to offset a portion of their emissions. Revenues from these credits are then invested in communities as an incentive to restore their forests and stop deforestation.
b) Peatland and coastal wetland restoration
Peatlands are waterlogged ecosystems made up of partially decayed organic material (peat)2. They cover only about 3% of the Earth’s surface but store twice as much carbon as all forests combined.
Peatlands accumulate plant material that decomposes very slowly in water-saturated, oxygen-poor conditions. This prevents the release of carbon and locks it in as peat for thousands of years. Healthy peatlands continuously sequester3 CO₂ through plant growth and peat formation.
Coastal wetlands include mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes. They are known as “blue carbon” ecosystems. Coastal wetlands trap organic material and sediment, burying it quickly in anaerobic (low-oxygen) environments where decomposition is slow. Carbon stored in wetland soils can remain for centuries to millennia. Plants in these wetlands, like mangroves and seagrasses, absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis and contribute to carbon storage in biomass and sediments.
Restoring peatlands involves rewetting them by blocking drainage or reintroducing native plants. This halts decomposition, reduces emissions, and restarts carbon sequestration. Restoring wetlands involves actions like replanting mangroves, removing pollutants, or adjusting water levels to recreate natural conditions. This enhances CO₂ capture and prevents further carbon loss.
Tech-based
a) Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process that prevents new emissions from entering the atmosphere.
First, CO₂ is trapped at its source (like a factory or power plant) before it is released into the atmosphere. It is then compressed and transported via pipelines, road transport or ships to a storage site where it is finally permanently stored deep underground4.
A list of leading companies implementing CCS can be found on this article.
b) Renewable Energy Technologies
Renewable energy projects primarily focus on utilizing clean and sustainable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and ocean sources to reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions that are typically produced by conventional energy sources, such as fossil fuels. They are used to generate clean electricity or directly heat buildings.
The Akinci Hydroelectric Power Plant is a type of renewable energy carbon project that provides renewable electricity to the Turkish power grid using a hydro power scheme on the Kelkit River, generating approximately 439,360 MWh annually and reducing emissions by 225,831 tonnes CO2e. This project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by preventing the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation.
Carbon credit sales from this project provide incremental funding necessary to successfully construct and operate the hydroelectric plant.
c) Energy Efficiency : Improved Cookstoves
Energy efficiency means using less energy to do the same task or produce the same result. In simple terms, it’s about getting the most out of the energy you use, whether it’s for heating, lighting, or running appliances, so you waste less and save more. Projects may include upgrading equipment, enhancing heating and cooling systems, or installing energy-efficient lighting and machinery.
In most parts of developing countries, traditional cooking methods rely on inefficient biomass burning, such as wood and charcoal. These methods contribute significantly to carbon emissions and indoor air pollution. Improved cookstove technologies address these issues by increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption, leading to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
The Hongera Energy Efficient Cookstoves Project manufactures and distributes energy-efficient cookstoves to local communities in Kenya, reducing firewood usage, restoring nature, and minimising indoor air pollution. The projects contributes in curbing deforestation as there is less need for firewood. It is expected to mitigate about 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions.
Footnotes
to capture and store something, in this case, carbon dioxide.↩︎