Preventing global warm, carbon offset could be worthy alternative

Carbon credits are one of the major pillars of most of the country's climate change strategy. Though many experts stated that, depending on offsets to meet emission reduction goals are mathematically impossible and a recipe for climate disaster. However, it serves as one of the most effective tools in the face of climate change.

 Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has emitted over two thousand gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The heat-trapping greenhouse gases have created a layer in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming. If we do not reduce global warming, the adverse effects of climate change—such as wildfires, heat waves, rising sea levels, floods, and droughts—will continue to escalate.

To combat climate change, it is essential to rapidly prevent the emission of greenhouse gases. This includes increasing the use of renewable energy and halting deforestation. Controlling highly polluting gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide is crucial. However, these efforts alone are not sufficient to halt climate change. Scientists have stated that global temperatures must be kept below 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, which is necessary to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. We need not only to reduce carbon emissions but also to remove and store some carbon from the atmosphere.

 In fact, most climate models suggest that by 2050, we need to remove hundreds of millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide annually while also accelerating the pace of carbon reduction. The 'carbon offset' method plays a vital role as an effective and natural way to remove carbon from the atmosphere. In this method, those who emit carbon in the atmosphere will fund others to remove that carbon as compensation. They will sequester carbon in the soil by planting or cultivating trees in regenerative practices or by using specific technologies. Carbon-emitting groups will finance the carbon-removing groups.
 
How Carbon Offsetting Can Be Achieved
First, by capturing and destroying greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere, such as methane gas capture projects at landfills. Second, by utilizing clean and renewable energy. This serves as an alternative to the greenhouse gases released from the use of natural gas. Third, through regenerative agricultural practices. This establishes a conservation and restoration process for food production, enhancing soil fertility, making the soil arable again, improving water flow quality, increasing biodiversity, and preventing soil erosion. Such agricultural systems can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide in the form of carbon in the soil, which also contributes to soil fertility. In other words, carbon offsetting is achieved through carbon sequestration using this method.
 
Fourth, another way to introduce carbon into the soil is through biochar. This is a type of charcoal made by burning organic matter such as crop residues, grass, trees, or other plants at temperatures of 300 to 600 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen. This process, known as pyrolysis, can prevent the loss of carbon from organic matter. Biochar is a stable form of carbon that cannot easily escape into the atmosphere. By preserving carbon in the soil, biochar increases soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Fifth, certain minerals naturally react with carbon dioxide, transforming it from a gas into a solid substance. This process is commonly referred to as carbon mineralization. Naturally, this occurs very slowly, taking hundreds or thousands of years. However, scientists are discovering methods to accelerate the carbon mineralization process. In this method, carbon dioxide is introduced into suitable rocks or minerals, where it reacts to turn gaseous carbon dioxide into solid carbonate.

Sixth, the use of carbon capture technology, or KMCIDR. This technology has been developed for capturing carbon dioxide from heavy industrial factories. Industries and power generation plants that burn hydrocarbons to produce electricity can utilize this technology. This method can capture up to 90 percent of carbon dioxide from flue gases emitted by power plants. This technology has the capacity to capture 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide per day, totaling nearly 116 million tons annually.
 
Bangladesh has begun the journey
Bangladesh has begun participating in carbon offsetting, primarily through initiatives like the Solar Home System, which have generated significant carbon credits. These credits are traded on international markets, providing financial incentives for reducing emissions. Bangladesh also has a target of reducing carbon emissions by 22% by 2030 and aims to source 30% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 40% by 2041.
 
Limitations regarding Carbon offsetting 
Despite being a useful tool, carbon offsetting has drawbacks. It should not be used in place of direct emission reductions because doing so alone may cause operational improvements to be delayed and high-emission activities to continue. The caliber and legitimacy of offset initiatives are other issues; some may not produce the savings that were promised or may have unfavorable effects. Measuring and confirming emissions, guaranteeing the stability of carbon sequestration, and avoiding greenwashing are other difficulties.

However, along with other preventive measures, countries should plan for this approach. Some countries in South Asia, including Bangladesh and India, and many countries in Europe have already taken plans and activities in this regard.

Bangladesh also aims to reduce carbon emissions. Global leaders have reached a consensus to decrease greenhouse gas emissions to make the world more livable, aiming for net-zero carbon pollution by 2050. Bangladesh is joining this initiative. The government has implemented various plans and measures to reduce carbon emissions. Like many others, Bangladesh wants to move away from fossil fuel usage. Recently, the government has shut down several coal-fired power plants while keeping the ongoing ones operational.

According to sources in the Power Division, no new coal-fired power plants will be constructed beyond the existing ones at Payra, Rampal, and Matarbari. This decision has led to the cancellation of at least two mega projects in Payra, one in Rampal, and three in Matarbari, along with one project each in Khulna, Munshiganj and Chattogram.

When asked about the gains and losses from this decision, an official from the Power Division stated that there will be less coal burned. The demand for electricity will inevitably arise, and the government plans to meet that demand by utilizing clean fuels. As a result, carbon emissions will decrease. The government is placing emphasis on renewable energy. Brick kilns are significant contributors to environmental pollution, as they burn wood to produce bricks. This not only leads to carbon emissions but also increases pollution due to the removal of topsoil.

The government states that alongside auto brick kilns, blocks will be produced to meet demand. Some factories for producing hollow blocks have already been established in the country. Experts estimate that using blocks will reduce construction costs by 30%. Additionally, homes built with blocks remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which will also lessen cooling and heating loads. There are approximately 8,000 brick kilns in the country, with 1,789 located in and around Dhaka. Dhaka alone has 487 brick kilns, which contribute nearly 58% to the city's pollution.

Meanwhile, the government is also looking to produce energy-efficient appliances. The Sustainable Renewable Energy Authority has already begun working on star labeling. The aim of this project is to encourage the use of energy-efficient devices.

In this context, Dr. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, stated, we have taken several initiatives for carbon control. We are prioritizing renewable energy. Work is ongoing to modernize brick kilns, and we have also initiated measures to control vehicle pollution.

What Experts Are Saying
Climate scientist Dr. Abed Chowdhury states that removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil is a crucial part of carbon offsetting. By measuring the amount of organic matter in the soil both before and after carbon storage, it is possible to determine how much carbon has been removed or retained. Based on the extent of carbon removal and retention, compensation can be sought from companies responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.

He further explains that agriculture-dependent countries like Bangladesh can earn a certain amount of money by participating in carbon offsetting. They can even choose carbon offsetting as a means of livelihood. We believe there is nothing impossible for humanity. Those who once emerged from the interiors of Africa and conquered the world will now find a way to navigate through this crisis of global warming.

Professor Dr. Zillur Rahman, director of the Disaster Science and Climate Resilience Department at Dhaka University, says that if we want to avoid negative impacts, we must adopt certain measures. In this case, reducing carbon emissions should be the primary focus. It is not enough to simply plant trees; we must also decrease our reliance on oil, gas, and other fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Industries need to establish environmentally sensitive frameworks. In developed countries, a carbon footprint assessment is conducted before any institution or building is constructed. Although we have building codes here, the issue of carbon footprint has not yet been addressed.

Dr. Zillur Rahman adds that while green technology may be expensive, its implementation can be initiated in our country. Although it may involve substantial costs now, we will reap the benefits in the long run. When we are able to reduce the temperature spikes in the atmosphere, the entire world will adopt us as a model.

The writer is a senior journalist