Carbon Neutrality: Technologies and strategies for a low-emission future

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the concept of carbon neutrality, exploring the techonolgies used to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.

Carbon neutrality involves achieving a balance between carbon emissions and carbon removal. In fact, when carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere, this process is referred to as carbon sequestration or storage. To reach these goals, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be offset by the absorption of an equivalent amount of carbon.

In an effort to curb the rise of these emissions, the 2015 Paris Agreement set as one of its key objectives the limitation of carbon dioxide emissions in order to reduce global temperatures.

Two other significant initiatives are the European Union’s Green New Deal and the “Fit for 55” package, a set of proposals aimed at reviewing and updating EU regulations to align with the climate targets agreed upon by the European Council and Parliament.

Achieving carbon neutrality requires, more than ever, a radical change in the way we use energy on a global scale. The first step is certainly to integrate renewable energy sources:

• Solar energy (photovoltaic cells, DSSCs)
• Wind energy (both onshore and offshore)

Temporarily, natural gas can also be used, although it is considered a transitional fuel.

To improve the resilience of the energy system and reduce transmission losses, smart grids and distributed energy play a key role. Widespread access can enhance the system’s ability to withstand extreme events, helping to maintain operations or enable rapid recovery in the event of widespread power outages.

The carbon footprint is a fundamental tool for achieving carbon neutrality. In order to balance emissions, it is first necessary to know and measure them,. The carbon footprint provides a precise overview of greenhouse gas emissions and helps identify areas where reductions are possibile.

Once calculated, it offers valuable information about the emissions generated and indicates the path to follow to reduce and offset them

Government subsidies are also part of the strategy to achieve carbon neutrality, as they promote the adoption of renewable energy, supporting not only environmental health but also economic growth.

Connected to the economic factor, it is also important to mention the role of so-called “green finance” (green bonds, green credit, green funds), which directs investments toward low-carbon projects.

CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) is a technology aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and power generation sources. Specifically, this technology separates CO2 from the exhaust gases of power plants, industrial facilities, or other production processes. The captured CO2 is then compressed and transported via pipelines, ships or other means to a storage or utilization site.

From there, the CO2 can be used for various applications, such as the production of synthetic fuels and chemicals, enhanced oil recovery in depleted reservoirs, or the manufacture of construction materials. Finally, in terms of storage, if the CO2 is not utilized, it is injected into deep geological formations where it remains trapped for long periods.

Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins are key tools for monitoring, optimizing and verifying carbon neutrality initiatives. Indeed, the combination of technological innovation and low-carbon technology represents the real game-changer in drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Construction: reducing embodied emissions in building materials and optimizing the energy consumption of buildings.
• Transport: transitioning to electric vehicles, hydrogen and biofuels, as well as improving the efficiency of public transport.
• Steel industry: utilizing waste streams, recovering energy from scrap materials and applying oxide metallurgy.
• Cement industry: replacing high-carbon raw materials with low-emission alternatives.
• Chemical industry: using CO2 as a raw material and adopting more sustainable production processes.
• Textile industry: using recycled fibers and biodegradable polymers.

Carbon neutrality represents a crucial challenge for our future, but also an opportunity to transform our energy and industrial systems. Achieving this goal requires a systemic approach that combines the adoption of renewable energy sources with the implementation of innovative technologies, as well as the enactment of effective economic policies.

For this reason, investing in research and the development of sustainable solutions, while promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, is a fundamental step toward building a more sustainable future.