{"id":23453,"date":"2025-12-15T16:07:49","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/be-carbon-neutral\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T21:30:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:30:04","slug":"be-carbon-neutral","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/be-carbon-neutral\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Mean to Be Carbon Neutral?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.chariot-article {\n  max-width: 800px;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 40px;\n  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  line-height: 1.8;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h1 {\n  font-size: 2.5em;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  margin: 0 0 30px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article h2 {\n  font-size: 1.8em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.3;\n  margin: 50px 0 20px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n  border-bottom: 2px solid #f7931e;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n}\n.chariot-article h3 {\n  font-size: 1.4em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.4;\n  margin: 40px 0 15px 0;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h4 {\n  font-size: 1.2em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  margin: 30px 0 10px 0;\n  color: #444;\n}\n.chariot-article p {\n  margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article img {\n  max-width: 100%;\n  height: auto;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  display: block;\n}\n.chariot-article figure {\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article figcaption {\n  font-size: 0.9em;\n  color: #666;\n  text-align: center;\n  margin-top: 10px;\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article ul, .chariot-article ol {\n  margin: 20px 0 20px 30px;\n  padding: 0;\n}\n.chariot-article li {\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.chariot-article a {\n  color: #f7931e;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;\n  transition: border-color 0.2s;\n}\n.chariot-article a:hover {\n  border-bottom-color: #f7931e;\n}\n.chariot-article blockquote {\n  border-left: 4px solid #f7931e;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  padding: 20px 30px;\n  background: #f9f9f9;\n  font-style: italic;\n  color: #555;\n}\n.chariot-article strong {\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article em {\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article hr {\n  border: none;\n  border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n  margin: 40px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article th, .chariot-article td {\n  padding: 12px 15px;\n  text-align: left;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n}\n.chariot-article th {\n  background: #f5f5f5;\n  font-weight: 600;\n}\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .chariot-article {\n    padding: 20px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n  .chariot-article h1 { font-size: 2em; }\n  .chariot-article h2 { font-size: 1.5em; }\n  .chariot-article h3 { font-size: 1.25em; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"chariot-article\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2548\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Brown-and-Black-Windmill-Beside-Body-of-Water-1024x682-1.jpg\" width=\"1024\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The concept of carbon neutrality has been around for a few years<br \/>\nnow. In fact, it was the word of the year for the New Oxford English Dictionary<br \/>\nin 2006. However, both the theoretical definition and practical application of<br \/>\nthe idea remain a bit cloudy, even among the eco-friendly community. Not only<br \/>\ndoes carbon neutral mean different things to different environmentalists \u2013<br \/>\nleading to confusion when it\u2019s presented to the greater public \u2013 but people are<br \/>\nalso unclear as to what we can do about it.<\/p>\n<p>To help people better understand what this term means and why it\u2019s<br \/>\nimportant to the future of our planet, this article will achieve the following<br \/>\nobjectives:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Define \u201ccarbon neutral\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Explore the similarities and differences between it and related terms<\/li>\n<li>Explain how it\u2019s related to your carbon footprint<\/li>\n<li>Share some key tips to help everyone become carbon neutral<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Definition of Carbon Neutral?<\/h2>\n<p>After scouring dictionaries and the websites of government agencies and environmental nonprofits, we\u2019ve crafted what we think is a pretty good definition. For something to be considered \u201ccarbon neutral,\u201d it must achieve the following:<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u201cThe amount of<br \/>\ncarbon dioxide added to the atmosphere is balanced or offset by an equal amount<br \/>\nof CO<sub>2<\/sub> removed from the atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That aforementioned confusion arises when you start to account for<br \/>\nwhere, when, and how both the emissions and those <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/what-are-carbon-offsets\/\">carbon offsets<\/a> are created. You<br \/>\nalso have to consider the other harmful <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/greenhouse-gases\/\">greenhouse gases<\/a> that are generated<br \/>\nbesides carbon dioxide. Additionally, it\u2019s essential you factor in whether such<br \/>\nactivities are mere corporate social responsibility measures or if they\u2019re in<br \/>\ndirect accordance with aggressive proposals designed to actually curb climate<br \/>\nchange.<\/p>\n<p>Put another way, to be truly carbon neutral, you must first take<br \/>\nactive steps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases<br \/>\nyou release into the world. You then must match the emissions you do create<br \/>\nwith activities that offset them.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does Carbon Neutral Compare to Other Sustainability\u00a0Terms?<\/h2>\n<p>There are a lot of terms floating around eco-friendly circles that<br \/>\ncan muddy the waters. Although it\u2019s important you understand these terms, they<br \/>\ncan get in the way of taking specific actions to improve the environment. Let\u2019s<br \/>\ngo over these additional concepts closely related to carbon neutral so you can<br \/>\nsound like a knowledgeable friend of the planet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate Neutral<\/h3>\n<p>Climate neutrality means basically the same thing as \u201ccarbon<br \/>\nneutral.\u201d The use of \u201cclimate\u201d removes the focus solely from carbon dioxide to<br \/>\ninclude anything and everything that could harm the environment and\/or contribute<br \/>\nto climate change.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climate Positive<\/h3>\n<p>The next level of activism! Climate positivity occurs when you\u2019ve<br \/>\nreduced and offset more greenhouse gas emissions than you created. As in,<br \/>\nyou\u2019ve brought the amount of clean air into the positive side of the<br \/>\natmospheric balance sheet.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Carbon Negative<\/h3>\n<p>The same basic concept as \u201cclimate positive,\u201d this term focuses<br \/>\nspecifically on carbon dioxide. As in, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions<br \/>\nyou created is less than the amount of carbon dioxide you removed from the<br \/>\natmosphere. You\u2019ve brought the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into<br \/>\nthe negative side of the atmospheric balance sheet.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Carbon Positive<\/h3>\n<p>Carbon positive is considered more of a marketing term. It<br \/>\nclumsily combines the ideas inherent in \u201cclimate positive\u201d and \u201ccarbon<br \/>\nnegative\u201d to represent something akin to \u201cwe\u2019re doing something positive to<br \/>\nreduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In our opinion, \u201ccarbon neutral\u201d works just fine. It\u2019s been around<br \/>\nfor the longest amount of time, which means more people are more familiar with<br \/>\nthe term. We\u2019re also fans of \u201cclimate neutral \/ positive,\u201d as this concept<br \/>\nactively encourages you to consider the holistic impact of our actions, not<br \/>\njust what happens with carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n<p>What matters is that we\u2019re clear and consistent with the<br \/>\nterminology we use so we can effectively communicate with others the importance<br \/>\nof taking bold steps to slow down climate change.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Does Becoming Carbon Neutral Relate to My Carbon Footprint?<\/h2>\n<p>We\u2019ve talked about your <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/carbon-footprint\/\">carbon footprint<\/a> before. Much like<br \/>\ncarbon neutral, it\u2019s a slightly confusing term that requires some education to<br \/>\nunderstand what it means and the impact it has on the environment. In essence,<br \/>\nit\u2019s the collective impact your actions make on the environment, ranging from how<br \/>\nmuch you drive to how far the stuff you buy has to travel before it arrives at<br \/>\nyour house and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, your carbon footprint is a direct reflection upon your<br \/>\nrelative carbon neutrality. If you have a high carbon footprint, it will be<br \/>\nharder for you to become carbon neutral, as you\u2019ll have to offset or remove<br \/>\nlots of carbon dioxide to balance everything out.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, it\u2019s imperative that you locate ways you can lower your<br \/>\ncarbon footprint. We recommend starting with the following when possible:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carpooling or telecommuting <\/li>\n<li>Buying only locally-sourced food<\/li>\n<li>Eating less meat<\/li>\n<li>Conserving electricity<\/li>\n<li>Reducing, reusing, and recycling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In fact, many climate experts contend that creating a carbon-neutral planet must go far beyond mere carbon offsetting of our current emissions levels. We must actively create fewer emissions and bring them to zero as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Can I Become More Carbon Neutral?<\/h2>\n<p>If you really want to become carbon neutral in your home,<br \/>\nneighborhood, and business, it definitely starts with the tips to <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/green-living-tips-home\/\">reduce your<br \/>\ncarbon footprint<\/a> we mentioned earlier. From there, we recommend the following<br \/>\ncourse of action:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/residential\/\">renewable energy to power your home<\/a>, as these sources of electricity release zero emissions<\/li>\n<li>Join or donate money to organizations that plant trees, like <a href=\"https:\/\/onetreeplanted.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">One Tree Planted<\/a> <\/li>\n<li>Purchase from companies pursuing carbon neutral efforts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As we\u2019ve discussed before with carbon offsets, there isn\u2019t a<br \/>\n\u201csilver bullet\u201d or single solution to the problem of global warming and climate<br \/>\nchange. It requires a multi-pronged effort that involves everyone, and it won\u2019t<br \/>\nhappen overnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n<p><strong> Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonfootprint.com\/carbonneutrality.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.carbonfootprint.com\/carbonneutrality.html<\/a> <\/li>\n<li><a data-id=\"https:\/\/theelders.org\/site-search?search=news%20what%20carbon%20neutrality%20%E2%80%93%20how%20can%20we%20achieve%20it%202050\" data-type=\"URL\" href=\"https:\/\/theelders.org\/site-search?search=news%20what%20carbon%20neutrality%20%E2%80%93%20how%20can%20we%20achieve%20it%202050\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.theelders.org\/news\/what-carbon-neutrality-%E2%80%93-and-how-can-we-achieve-it-2050<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetizen.com\/news\/2019\/06\/104944-carbon-neutrality-what-does-it-mean-and-it-possible\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.planetizen.com\/news\/2019\/06\/104944-carbon-neutrality-what-does-it-mean-and-it-possible<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/2018\/10\/08\/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/2018\/10\/08\/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5c-approved-by-governments\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/climeco.com\/the-new-age-old-question-what-does-it-mean-to-be-carbon-neutral\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/climeco.com\/the-new-age-old-question-what-does-it-mean-to-be-carbon-neutral\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.oup.com\/2006\/11\/carbon_neutral_\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/blog.oup.com\/2006\/11\/carbon_neutral_\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you learn what it means to be carbon neutral, you can better understand the true environmental impact of your carbon footprint.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":23490,"parent":627,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23453","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23453"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23453\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}