ZERO CARBON OR LOW CARBON

CITIES
 What is carbon?
• Carbon , in its most basic form, is an element.
In fact, it’s the most common element for life
on Earth! From the air we breathe to the crops
we grow, and the chemical makeup of our
own bodies, carbon is literally the basis for
life.
why are we so concerned with carbon
emissions?
• When we talk about carbon emissions, we’re
focusing specifically on carbon dioxide, or CO2.
Naturally, CO2 releases into the atmosphere in a
ton of ways. The largest source of natural carbon
emissions is from the exchange of carbon dioxide
between the oceans and the atmosphere.
Animals and plants also emit CO2 through the
process of respiration. when these plants and
animals decompose, organisms within the soil
respire to produce energy and emit more CO2
into the atmosphere
 Here’s where it gets tricky.

• Nature, as nature tends to do, keeps most of these

emissions in balance. Humans don’t play by the same
rules that nature does. When we extract, refine,
transport, and burn fossil fuels like coal, natural gas,
and oil, we release extra carbon and other greenhouse
gasses into the atmosphere. We also cut down large
expanses of CO2-absorbing trees to make way for
agriculture and new developments. . By removing
forests, we also effectively remove the natural systems
that absorb and store carbon. When we add additional
CO2 to the mix, nature can’t always pick up the slack.
 why does it matter if there’s more
CO2 in the atmosphere?
• Long story short, CO2 is one of the
greenhouse gases that absorbs
radiation and prevents heat from
escaping our atmosphere. This
excess heat creates disrupted
weather patterns, higher global
temperature averages, and other
changes… in the climate.
 What can we do?
• The first, and safest option, is to avoid the
situations that cause it in the first place. The
second is to revert what’s already been done.
When you apply this thinking to carbon
emissions, it means you can either lower your
carbon footprint, or offset it.
 Avoid CO2
• Powering factories through renewable energy,
reducing transport between different steps of
production, and sourcing materials that aren’t
made from petroleum are all awesome ways
companies are making changes in their
footprint
 Offset CO2
• We offset carbon through a process called
sequestration. Sequestration is the process of
finding ways to negate the carbon that’s being
emitted. Both individuals and businesses can
join organizations that implement energy
efficiency, reforestation, and renewable
energy programs to offset a portion (or all) of
the carbon emissions created
 What is a Zero-Carbon City?
• A zero-carbon city runs entirely on renewable energy; it
has no carbon footprint and, in this respect, will not cause
harm to the planet. Most cities throughout the world
produce energy by burning coal, oil and gas, unintentionally
emitting carbon. Almost every activity humans do involves
burning one of these fossil fuels. To become a zero carbon
city, an established modern city must collectively reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases to zero and all practices
that emit greenhouse gases must cease. Also, renewable
energy must supersede other non renewable energy
sources and become the sole source of energy.
• So a zero-carbon city is a renewable-energy-economy city.
 Iskandar Development Region
• Iskandar, Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing regions in Malaysia.
Ten years ago, its regional master plan was conventional, without
any consideration of low-carbon development options like transit-
oriented development and green buildings.
• In 2011, experts from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
convened a working group to help the Iskandar Regional
Development Authority (IRDA) develop a blueprint to make
Iskandar, Malaysia the first low-carbon development region in the
country. The blueprint contains the current level of GHG emissions,
GHG reduction targets for 2025, and step-by-step action plans to
achieve these targets.
• The initiative received strong political buy-in at both the local and
national levels, as it is in line with the federal government’s pledge
to cut emissions. With both a vision and a plan to achieve it, IRDA is
ready to implement the low-carbon actions to reach its goals for
2025.
 Copenhagen
• Copenhagen is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly cities in
the world.
• In 2001 a large offshore windfarm was built just off the coast of Copenhagen
at Middelgrunden. It produces about 4% of the city's energy.
• Years of substantial investment in sewage treatment have improved water
quality in the harbour to an extent that the inner harbour can be used for
swimming with facilities at a number of locations.
• Copenhagen aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025. Commercial and residential
buildings are to reduce electricity consumption by 20 percent and 10 percent
respectively, and total heat consumption is to fall by 20 percent by 2025.
Renewable energy features such as solar panels are becoming increasingly
common in the newest buildings in Copenhagen. District heating will be
carbon-neutral by 2025, by waste incineration and biomass. New buildings
must now be constructed according to Low Energy Class ratings and in 2020
near net-zero energy buildings. By 2025, 75% of trips should be made on foot,
by bike, or by using public transit. The city plans that 20–30% of cars will run
on electricity or biofuel by 2025. The investment is estimated at $472 million
public funds and $4.78 billion private funds.
 How you can make a difference
• The planet’s really good at taking care of itself.
When we overload it with too much of any
one thing, however, it can start to lose its
balance. By taking steps now to reduce our
own carbon footprints, we can allow the Earth
to find that balance again, so we (and our
children) can continue to enjoy and appreciate
its beauty for years to come.