So you want to understand climate neutrality but don’t know where to start? Let our beginners’ guide help you get started. And while climate neutrality is something that countries, cities, organizations and individuals need to aim for, this guide focuses on organizations and individuals, so you can start taking the steps needed to help get the planet to net zero emissions.

What exactly is climate neutrality?

Climate neutrality refers to the idea of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing those emissions so they are equal to, or less than, the emissions removed, as well as accounting for regional or local biogeophysical effects of human activities, such as changes in surface albedo or local climate. In basic terms, it means we reduce our emissions through climate action to ensure no net effect on the climate system.

As part of this, UN Climate Change launched Climate Neutral Now back in 2015 in order to encourage stakeholders around the world to work towards net zero emissions and a climate neutral world. While the aim is to have a ‘climate neutral’ world by 2050, Climate Neutral Now focuses on the need to take action now in order to reach that target.

Where does carbon offsetting fit into this?

Climate neutrality means that you bring your emissions down to zero; something that applies both to individuals and to organizations. Many organizations are not able to reduce their emissions to zero immediately however, as it will take a number of years for them to make the technological investments and change the habits that climate neutrality requires. But if they don’t want to wait, they can – in addition to the reductions they can make now – also invest in emission reductions outside their organization, known as offsets. This option helps accelerate the global effort to reduce emissions, and puts a ‘carbon price’ on their own organization, providing an economic incentive to reduce their own emissions quicker. Purchasing compensation units is also an option available to individuals and households, as – similarly to organizations – they will have difficulties becoming climate neutral immediately. Offsets are not a long-term solution, and they don’t replace the need for you or your organization to go to zero as fast possible, but they do provide a way to accelerate that journey.

So, this isn’t just for individuals?

Absolutely not. Since Climate Neutral Now was launched six years ago, more than 400 organizations from around the world (from football teams to airlines) have signed up. The goal is that all industries take steps to reduce their impact on the planet (such as switching to renewable energy) and ultimately eliminate their carbon footprint. So, if you run a business ­– whether that be a large corporation or a small family-run enterprise, you can also take climate action, and ensure your business is as green as your household.

Profiles of the four winners of the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Awards in the Climate Neutral Now category.
Each company is transforming the way they do business to make a low-carbon future a reality.

Is this just about carbon dioxide?

No, it’s about all gases that are harmful to the climate, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. This is not an exhaustive list, but for now, think of greenhouse gases as a catch-all term for the harmful substances we are pumping into the atmosphere.

So, what are CDMs and CERs?

So many acronyms! CDM stands for Clean Development Mechanism. This is an offset mechanism established under the UNFCCC (the only one of its kind so far, but new mechanisms are being developed under the Paris Agreement). Basically, the CDM allows individuals and organizations to financially support greenhouse-gas emission reduction or removal projects in developing countries. For each cubic tonne of greenhouse gas avoided, a carbon credit is issued. Participants then get credits – CER – which they can apply towards meeting their own emission reductions. CER stands for Certified Emission Reduction, a carbon credit vetted by the UN. Each CER represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emission.

How do I get started?

You start by measuring or estimating your emissions, which you can do with this calculator for you and your household. Let say that last year your household emissions totalled 12 metric tonnes. Your next step – and the most important – is to reduce those emissions which can be done in a huge number of ways. You can switch to a green electricity provider; stop driving to work and instead walk or cycle; get rid of your dryer; switch to LED bulbs; turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. There’s a list of other ways to reduce your emissions here. Then, you measure your household’s emissions again, and – thanks to all your efforts – your emissions should have dropped if you did this in a consistent manner. If you’re looking to estimate your organization’s or business’ emissions, see our FAQs or contact us here: ClimateNeutralNow@unfccc.int.

What do I do then?

You can then decide to compensate that eight tonnes of emissions by contributing to a UN-vetted climate-friendly project of your choice (or several, of course). You can see a list of projects at the UN Carbon Offset Portal, where you can purchase CERs, which supports emission reduction projects with funding equal to the emission reductions you purchase. By doing this, you help cancel the equivalent number of CERs – these credits are then removed from the market, and the financial contribution supports the project that generated them, thus allowing it to continue operating. Remember, the compensation part is a temporary solution to help work towards climate neutrality, not a replacement for cutting down on your emissions. You can’t outsource climate action any more than you can outsource exercise – paying someone to go to the gym for you won’t make you any fitter. And, once you start cutting back, you will realize how easy it is, and how good it feels to be reducing your impact on the world.

What then?

Tell your family and friends; show them this article and the tools contained within it. While climate neutrality seems daunting, it isn’t and it’s a really important way to help reduce our impact on the planet. The ultimate goal is to make the planet ‘climate neutral’ by 2050 – a big goal, but one vital to secure the Earth’s future – as agreed by all Parties who have ratified the Paris Agreement.