<h2>Briefing Questions</h2>

Google recently claimed it had eliminated its carbon footprint. Meanwhile, China has announced plans to do the same by 2060. How do they do it - and why are some people not convinced?

What is carbon offsetting? Since the start of the Industrial RevolutionA period of sudden, rapid industrialisation that transforms a country from an agricultural to an industrial economy., human emissions of carbon dioxide have risen to more than 35 billion metric tonnes per year. Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. As a heat-trapping gas, CO2 is the biggest contributor to climate change. The idea behind offsetting carbon is that the emissions generated through an activity - like flying - can be calculated, and then the equivalent amount "paid off" via a scheme that removes carbon from the atmosphere. As a result, the overall amount of carbon released into the atmosphere remains the same as before the emissions were generated.

What do people mean by net zero? In 2015, nearly 200 countries met in France for the UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security. climate change conference. There, they adopted the Paris Agreement. One of the most ambitious global climate agreements ever made, an important goal was for "net zeroWhen the gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by those being taken out of it. emissions" by the second half of the century. In other words, 100% of carbon emissions would be counterbalanced through offsetting.

Many governments involved in the Agreement have now translated it into national aims: Austria plans to hit the target by 2040, while Uruguay hopes to work faster with a 2030 goal. Companies also have plans to go carbon neutral, with Google claiming in September to have offset all of its emissions.

How does it work in practice? Countries, companies and individuals can invest in offset schemes that work to remove the carbon created by their activity. To be effective, these schemes must be in addition to any carbon removal already taking place. The most popular offsetting activity is planting trees. It is the simplest and cheapest way to create a carbon sinkA forest, ocean or other natural environment able to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest, for example, absorbs two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.. Another popular technique is restoring peat bogsDense wetlands created by the decay of plants.. Heathrow Airport has invested 94,000 in such a project near Manchester.

What is carbon capture technology? Carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere longer than any other heat-trapping gas. After a pulse of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere, about 50% will be absorbed in the first 50 years, reaching about 70% by 100 years. Further sink absorption then slows dramatically, with an additional 10% only removed after 300 years, but the remaining 20% will last for tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of years before being removed.

But natural carbon removers are not completely reliable. Trees, in particular, are susceptibleLikely to be influenced easily. to fires - and as they burn, fires will produce a huge amount of the very CO2 that the trees were expected to remove from the atmosphere.

As a result, scientists are constantly trying to develop technology designed to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely. One popular technology is designed to remove the gas and store it in building materials, such as concrete.

Does offsetting delay emissions reduction? According to many experts, it does. However, they worry that the prospect of being able to offset emissions could discourage governments, corporations and even individuals from taking immediate action to reduce emissions. For example, paying to offset a flight could stop someone from looking for greener travel options.

One group of researchers at Lancaster University has concluded that the option of offsetting deters organisations from taking more urgent action.

Does that mean we shouldn't bother?:  Not necessarily. Providing money for carbon capturing technology is good because it reduces carbon already in the atmosphere. However, most experts agree that to stop climate change, everybody must do more than simply becoming carbon neutralAnother term describing net zero emissions. Carbon neutrality is when an activity balances out any emissions with carbon removal - effectively "neutralising" the CO2 emitted..

Emissions can be reduced through using green energy, such as solar and wind. Individuals can make their contribution by instituting little changes: for example, by turning the lights off when not needed and by switching the television off at the wall instead of leaving it on standby.

Industrial Revolution - A period of sudden, rapid industrialisation that transforms a country from an agricultural to an industrial economy.

UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.

Net zero - When the gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by those being taken out of it.

Carbon sink - A forest, ocean or other natural environment able to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest, for example, absorbs two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Peat bogs - Dense wetlands created by the decay of plants.

Susceptible - Likely to be influenced easily.

Carbon neutral - Another term describing net zero emissions. Carbon neutrality is when an activity balances out any emissions with carbon removal - effectively "neutralising" the CO2 emitted.