X-MINING What is a Decarbonized Society? Differences from Carbon Neutrality and Specific Initiatives

A decarbonized society aims to significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) to nearly zero. But what specific actions are required? It might be hard to visualize.

This article introduces the concept of a decarbonized society, its initiatives, and explains the difference from carbon neutrality, as well as the challenges in achieving a decarbonized society. Please read on to understand more.

Both “decarbonized society” and “carbon neutrality” are concepts used from the perspective of preventing global warming and protecting the environment, but they have slightly different meanings. A decarbonized society focuses on reducing emissions to nearly zero, while carbon neutrality involves balancing emitted greenhouse gases with those absorbed or offset.

A decarbonized society is one of the societal approaches aiming to reduce emissions to a level that is close to zero.

This concept involves reducing the use of fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, shifting to renewable energy sources, cutting emissions, and transitioning to a low-carbon economic structure.

Key elements include energy policy, transportation policy, and transforming industrial structures.

On the other hand, carbon neutrality refers to a state of achieving to reduce emissions to a level that is close to zero by balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount absorbed, through reducing emissions.

While a decarbonized society focuses on reducing emissions themselves, carbon neutrality aims to offset the remaining emissions to achieve zero.

In October 2020, the Japanese government declared its aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a recent and memorable commitment.

Both are efforts towards combating global warming, with the efficiency of energy use and the expansion of renewable energy as critical challenges.

What is Carbon Neutrality? Its Meaning and Specific Initiatives

The push towards a decarbonized society is driven by the rapid progression of global warming’s impacts.

Rising sea temperatures, melting glaciers, flooding due to sea-level rise, and the occurrence of heatwaves are among the various extreme weather events happening globally, with profound effects.

The Paris Agreement’s goal to keep global warming “well below 2 degrees Celsius” aims to control global warming compared to pre-industrial temperatures and minimize the impacts of climate change. Warming beyond 2 degrees could lead to severe issues like typhoons, floods, food and water shortages, significantly affecting humanity and the environment.

The “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” adopted by the United Nations in September 2015 position climate change as a universal challenge. The decade following 2020 is considered the last chance to curb global temperature rise, necessitating a global shift towards a decarbonized society.

Is There Something We Can Do for SDGs? Initiatives for Individuals and Corporations

Japan has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. However, achieving this target presents various challenges.
Here, we have summarized the challenges in realizing a decarbonized society.

Dependency on Fossil Fuels for Energy Resources

Image reference: Japan’s Energy | Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

In Japan’s energy industry for the fiscal year 2021, most fossil fuels were imported from overseas, indicating a high level of dependency. There is ongoing research and development to enhance the efficiency and stability of renewable energy technologies.

Furthermore, while nuclear power provides stable supply, it faces risks during seismic events and issues with waste disposal.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, greenhouse gas emissions temporarily increased but decreased to 1.24 billion tons by the fiscal year 2018.

However, compared to other OECD countries, Japan’s self-sufficiency rate in primary energy remains low, ranking 37th.

Transitioning from fossil fuels to a combination of different energy sources, including renewable energy and nuclear power, is necessary to diversify risks.

Efficient renewable energy technology development and infrastructure implementation are crucial.

Overcoming these challenges and reconstructing energy policies will be key to unlocking the path to a decarbonized society.

Industries Lagging Behind in Decarbonization

The transportation industry, relying on fossil fuels for airplanes and cars, is among those lagging in decarbonization. Thus, initiatives like subsidies for next-generation vehicles and improving fuel efficiency are needed.
In logistics, projects like autonomous zero-energy warehouses and efficient truck transportation began in 2020, with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism promoting labor and energy savings.

We will introduce what efforts are being made to realize a decarbonized society.

Initiatives in Japanese Society

The following are initiatives in Japanese society. Let’s look at each one.
● Introduction of carbon pricing
● Review of energy
● Promotion of zero-carbon cities

Introduction of Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing is a system that imposes an economic cost on carbon dioxide emissions, taking into account their environmental impact. It taxes companies for the CO2 they release, aiding in the reduction of environmental impact. This system encompasses “carbon taxes” and “emission trading,” among other measures, including taxes on energy sources like the “petroleum and coal tax.”
These methods encourage companies to actively take measures to reduce carbon emissions by bearing the cost of reducing carbon emissions.

Review of Energy

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, an urgent transition to renewable energy is necessary to mitigate global warming.

Shifting to renewable energy sources significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, primarily caused by fossil fuels, helping to curb global warming.

This has led to the concept of an “energy mix,” combining multiple power generation methods. Japan promotes an energy mix based on the “3E+S” principle.

“3E+S” represents the basic policy for constructing Japan’s energy mix, emphasizing Energy, Economy, Environment, and adding Safety.

The stability of energy sources like thermal power and the cleanliness of renewable energy are balanced, aiming to secure power supply while leveraging each’s strengths, especially focusing on reducing CO2 emissions through renewable energy use.

Promotion of Zero-Carbon Cities

Zero-carbon cities aim to reduce carbon emissions to zero across the region by 2050.
Each municipality sets its own goals and measures to achieve a decarbonized society.
For example, actively implementing renewable energy such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal development.

Individual Initiatives

Next, we have summarized what we, as individuals, can do to aim for decarbonization.

● Conscious Daily Habits for Environmental Conservation
● More effective initiatives

Things We Can Be Conscious of in Daily Life

It is important to be mindful of not wasting energy by saving electricity at home and in the office and utilizing energy-saving equipment.

For example, reducing car use and opting for public transportation or bicycles can decrease CO2 emissions.

Additionally, recycling clothes or unwanted items to reduce waste is necessary. Each person’s efforts towards a decarbonized society can have a significant impact.

Incorporating sustainable fashion also helps reduce environmental impact. For more on sustainable fashion, refer to the column below.
<Related article>What is Sustainable Fashion? How to Embrace Sustainable Fashion

More Effective Initiatives

Though initial investment and effort are required, highly effective measures for a decarbonized society include:
• Installing solar panels for self-generation
• Building ZEH (Zero Energy Houses) to reduce utility costs
• Switching to eco-cars like EVs and PHEVs
• Contracting with power companies that supply renewable energy

While these may be difficult to implement immediately, knowing them is still meaningful.

References: Preliminary Selection Result for Financing Programme for JCM Model Projects in FY2020 (3rd Selection) | Press Release | Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan

Sumitomo Metal Mining aims to contribute to a decarbonized society through the development of powder material products. Let’s introduce some of these products.

Fe-Ga Magnetostrictive Single Crystal Contributing to Decarbonized Society through Energy Conversion Technology

Energy harvesting, converting various minor environmental energies like light, vibration, and heat into electrical energy for use in IoT power sources, has been gaining attention recently.

Sumitomo Metal Mining’s “Fe-Ga magnetostrictive single crystal” is one of these energy-harvesting materials, efficiently converting minor vibration energy into electrical energy.

By generating power through energy harvesting, it significantly contributes to reducing energy for battery production, replacement, or electrical wiring, and lessens battery disposal.

Its application is expected to create various innovative services by significantly improving energy utilization efficiency, playing a crucial role in realizing a decarbonized society.

View details of the Iron Gallium (Fe-Ga) Magnetostrictive Single Crystal

Magnet Material “Wellmax™” Used in Vehicle Motors

The SmFeN (Samarium Iron Nitrogen) magnet material stands out for its ability to make vehicle motors smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient, as well as enhancing the energy efficiency of home appliance motors. Its stability in pricing, owing to the absence of high-cost elements such as Neodymium (Nd) and Dysprosium (Dy), makes it particularly appealing. Sumitomo Metal Mining has advanced the research and development of this material, successfully bringing it to mass production and commercialization.

View details of Rare Earth Magnet Materials

Near-Infrared Absorbing Material (SOLAMENT™) Contributing to Energy-Saving Space Creation

Sumitomo Metal Mining’s near-infrared absorbing material “SOLAMENT™ (Near-Infrared Absorbing Fine Particles: CWO™)” and “LaB₆” are special inorganic materials capable of strongly absorbing light in the wavelength range of 800-1200nm, which accounts for nearly 40% of the energy of solar radiation.

Our near-infrared absorbing material has a high transmittance for visible light and a strong absorption ability for near-infrared light.

SOLAMENT™ is an original material invented by Sumitomo Metal Mining, with patents and trademarks obtained both domestically and internationally.

Taking advantage of its properties, it is applied in various ways towards decarbonization, such as maintaining comfortable room temperatures in buildings with large glass windows or cutting only light to enhance the brightness and design of interiors.

View details of Near-Infrared Absorbing Material (SOLAMENT™)

As the impact of global warming is rapidly progressing, we have introduced what companies and individuals can do to aim for a decarbonized society. can undertake towards a decarbonized society.

Sumitomo Metal Mining also aims to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

If you have any questions about our powder material products introduced on this page, please feel free to contact us.