The Climate Road to Serfdom in One Graph

Dr. Faig S Askerov, (self-described as the Former Regulatory Compliance and Environment Director, BP Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey Region, PhD in Petrochemistry Scientist, Lecturer) has presented a graph and definitions that can be used as “Exhibit A” against the climate road to serfdom. At a time of political change against climate alarmism/forced energy transformation, even deep ecologists should question whether CO2 greening is better than wind, solar, battery industrialization.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) calculations

1. Gross GHG Emissions

• Definition: Total emissions generated by an entity (such as a country, company, or individual) without accounting for any offsets or sequestration efforts.
• Example: A factory emits 100,000 tons of CO₂ annually.

2. Net GHG Emissions

• Definition: Emissions after accounting for offsets, carbon removal, or carbon sequestration (e.g., planting trees, carbon capture technologies).
• Formula: Net GHG Emissions = Gross Emissions – (Carbon Offsets + Carbon Sequestration)
• Example: If the same factory invests in reforestation that absorbs 20,000 tons of CO₂, its net emissions become 80,000 tons.

3. Carbon Neutrality

• Definition: Achieving a balance between emissions produced and emissions removed from the atmosphere through offsets. This doesn’t require eliminating emissions but offsetting what remains.
• Achieved through: Renewable energy investments, Purchasing carbon credits or offsets
• Example:
A company emits 10,000 tons of CO₂ but buys carbon credits from projects that absorb an equivalent amount, making it carbon-neutral.

4. Net-Zero Emissions

• Definition: Refers to reducing emissions as much as possible and using offsets or removals only for unavoidable emissions. The focus is more on eliminating emissions upfront rather than relying on offsets.
• Key Principles: Long-term, permanent reductions are prioritized. Any residual emissions must be balanced with direct removals (e.g., through carbon capture and storage).
• Example: A company redesigns operations to cut emissions by 95% and removes the remaining 5% through sequestration.

5. Zero Emissions (True Zero)

• Definition: Achieving no emissions at all from an activity, product, or process, without relying on any form of offsetting. This is technically challenging for most industries.
• Example: An electric vehicle that uses only renewable energy throughout its entire lifecycle could be considered a zero-emission vehicle.

6. Science-Based Targets

• Definition: Reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. Companies or governments commit to a pathway that includes GHG reduction milestones.
• Example: A company may aim to cut emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.

7. GHG Protocol Scopes (1, 2, and 3)

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources (e.g., fuel combustion on-site).
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam.
• Scope 3: Indirect emissions from the supply chain and product use.

In summary, these different approaches to GHG calculations reflect varying levels of ambition and strategies. While carbon neutrality can be achieved through offsets, net-zero focuses more on eliminating emissions directly, with limited reliance on offsets for unavoidable emissions. Zero emissions is the most stringent target, aiming to produce no emissions at all.