# How Can the Industrial Sector Reach Net-Zero Emissions?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/how-can-the-industrial-sector-reach-net-zero-emissions/
- Published: 2021-06-03T12:15:12-04:00
- Author: Eillin Delapaz

Reducing our carbon footprint seems like a daunting task to the average person. 
We’re taught from a young age the importance of “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” However,
there’s a growing concern about the sizable impact the industrial sector has on 
the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that [29% of all greenhouse gas emissions ](https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Emissions%20and%20Sinks.-,Emissions%20and%20Trends,the%20Transportation%20and%20Electricity%20sectors.)
come from the industrial sector. Therefore, to reduce the carbon entering the atmosphere,
aggressive measures must be taken.

There’s debate over the seriousness of the consequences of climate change, but [there’s a plethora of evidence](https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature)
showing human activity is causing the earth’s temperature to rise. World leaders
aim to reduce our emissions and ultimately reach net-zero emissions.

What does this phrase mean? Net-zero emissions is a phrase tossed around during 
climate debates. Gaining a deeper understanding of the [impact emissions have on the environment](https://environment.co/what-is-the-greenhouse-effect/)
will help us determine feasible solutions.

Let’s explore where we stand right now in our fight against global warming and look
at ways the [industrial sector](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/05/4-geoengineering-attack-plans-to-fight-climate-change/)
can change its practices to reduce its carbon footprint.

![How can the industrial sector reach net zero emissions](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/40B1083F-1949-43F2-A93D-1145C3EEFCD1.jpg?resize=780%
2C520&quality=52&ssl=1 "How Can the Industrial Sector Reach Net-Zero Emissions? -
The Green Living Guy")

## **Net-Zero Emissions Defined**

Reaching a [net-zero](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/08/7-tips-to-go-green-with-your-very-own-net-zero-home/)
means that we, as a population, stop releasing emissions into the atmosphere. It
sounds simple, but it’s a complex and challenging task. Uniting countries across
the globe and convincing world governments to take serious action is far from easy.

Carbon enters the atmosphere naturally and due to human activities. The burning 
of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas [is the primary source](https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-does-carbon-get-atmosphere?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products)
of these emissions. Much of the industrial sector relies on fossil fuels to power
their machinery to produce the goods we use daily.

A few years ago, many countries entered the Paris Agreement, [an international treaty](https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement)
that prioritized limiting Earth’s temperature rise to below 2℃ above pre-industrial
levels. By reducing the amount of carbon dioxide entering Earth’s atmosphere, the
temperature should fall back to where it was before the Industrial Revolution.

## **Current Greenhouse Gas Emissions**

After the ratification of the Paris Agreement, some countries like Denmark and Finland
took measures to reduce emissions, which have proven to be successful.

The years 2010-2019 were [the warmest period on record](https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1078612),
and temperatures continue to increase. To account for these increases, emissions
must reduce by 6% between the years 2020-2030.

Some argue that spending resources on reducing greenhouse gases are costly. However,
adding green jobs would boost the economy, and direct economic gains could reach
$26 trillion.

You may be wondering, “How does this affect me?” But the effects of climate change
are already rippling across the globe.

According to [NASA](https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/), these are some consequences
of climate change that we’ll experience in the future if we don’t take action:

 * Average temperatures will continue to rise.
 * Hurricanes will grow in size and strength and cost people their homes.
 * Arctic regions will be ice-free, and coastlines will recede around the globe.
 * Heavy precipitation and flooding will affect many regions and compromise topsoil
   health.
 * Droughts and heatwaves will last longer and be more severe and raise utility 
   prices.
 * Sea levels will rise uncontrollably and reduce countries’ available coastline.

Changes to the natural environment will create shifts in all means of production.
Many industries will feel the effects of climate change unless strides are made 
to [reach net-zero](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/08/scope-3-corporate-emissions-the-hidden-climate-cost/)
emissions.

So, how can the industrial sector combat climate change?

## **Reducing the Industrial Carbon Footprint**

The industrial sector is broken down into three types of industries: primary, secondary,
and tertiary.

The primary sector focuses on using raw materials. The secondary sector takes the
raw materials and manufactures them to create products for consumer use. Lastly,
the tertiary sector provides services such as hospitality, nursing, and banks, for
example.

Because there are so many industries that make up the entire industrial sector, 
it’s challenging to find a one-size-fits-all approach to [moving to a greener](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/10/smithfield-foods-moves-greener-says-newsweek-list/)
society.

Aside from the environmental impacts the industrial sector makes, it causes changes
to the average citizen. Therefore, it’s [common for utility costs to rise](https://www.chardonlabs.com/resources/industrial-water-treatment-solutions)
if energy levels rise. Cities are especially subject to this, considering the amount
of energy produced by one city.

The [World Resources Institute](https://www.wri.org/insights/net-zero-ghg-emissions-questions-answered)
outlines some ways the industrial sector can reduce its carbon footprint and improve
the current climate crisis we’re experiencing:

 * Move away from coal plants.
 * Invest in clean and renewable energy.
 * Retrofit buildings with new technologies.
 * Work toward decarbonization of cement, steel, and plastic fabrication.
 * Use electric vehicles more widely.
 * Encourage the use of public transportation.
 * Decarbonize the aviation and shipping industries.
 * Put an end to deforestation and restore damaged lands.

These changes need to occur much faster than anticipated to meet the goal of the
Paris Agreement.

Some [companies are taking other measures](https://www.edie.net/library/How-are-manufacturers-approaching-net-zero-and-the-green-recovery-/6986)
to be more sustainable. Whether it’s improving the efficiency of their supply chains
or creating innovative technologies, corporations worldwide are acknowledging these
issues and working to find appropriate solutions.

## **Reaching Zero-Net Emissions**

The famous saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” can be applied to the 
global effort to reach net-zero emissions. It takes more than the work of a few 
countries to save the planet from the devastating consequences of climate change.

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 Eillin Delapaz

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