Agriculture

Food products should be produced as close as possible to end consumers (preferably within cycling distance). This will reduce the amount of carbon-based energy needed to transport these products. Consumers can also buy fresh foods instead of processed foods, since processing them uses energy. Another possibility to save energy is to eat raw food. There are foods, such as fruits, that can be eaten raw without risk to health (others, such as meat, need to be cooked). Energy would be saved if food production and consumption were organized in such a way that people, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, took a maximum of raw foods.

Furthermore, the majority of agricultural facilities in the developed world are mechanized, due to rural electrification, producing significant productivity gains, although also consuming a lot of energy. For that and other low-carbon reasons (such as transportation costs), rural areas rely heavily on locally produced renewable resources and electricity.

Irrigation can be one of the main components of an agricultural facility's energy consumption. In some parts of California it can be as high as 90%.[21]​ In a low-carbon economy, irrigation equipment will be maintained and continually upgraded, and fields will use irrigation water more efficiently.

Different crops require different amounts of energy input. For example: greenhouse crops, irrigated crops and fruit trees require a large amount of energy to maintain, while row crops and field crops do not require as much maintenance. The existing greenhouses and irrigated crops will incorporate the following improvements:[22]​.

Greenhouse crops.

Irrigated herbaceous crops.

Livestock farming can also use a lot of energy depending on how it is run. They use them to feed animals: corn, soybeans, and other crops. And energy will be expended to produce those crops, process them and transport them. Animal husbandry will find the best grains to feed on, and the farmer will spend energy taking care of them, but not so much when the farmer grows grains and oilseeds.

Many livestock operations use a large amount of energy to water their livestock. In a low-carbon economy, water conservation methods such as collecting rainwater or using cisterns are used for such operations, as well as powering water pumps with renewable energy such as wind or solar.

Due to rural electrification facilities, most agriculture in developed countries uses a large amount of electricity. In a low carbon economy, farms will be built and equipped to enable greater energy efficiency. The dairy industry, for example, would incorporate the following changes:[22]​.

Hunting and Fishing

Fishing uses a lot of energy. Improvements in heat recovery from refrigeration, and trawling, will be common in a low-carbon economy.

Forestry

In a low-carbon economy, forestry will focus on low-impact, easy-regrowth practices. Forest managers will ensure that they do not alter too much the carbon reserves present in the soil. Farms with specialized trees will be the main source of many products. Quick maturing tree varieties will grow and be rotated in order to maximize production.[23]​.

Mining

Burning or releasing natural gas from oil wells into the atmosphere is a significant source of greenhouse gases.

The practice's contribution to greenhouse gases has declined from a 1970 peak of 110 metric tons/year and now contributes 0.5% of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide.[24]​

The World Bank estimates that 100 million cubic meters of natural gas are flared or vented per year. This is the equivalent of the gas consumed in one year by Germany and France, twice that consumed by Africa. And enough to supply the planet for 20 days. This burning is concentrated in a few countries, 10 countries emit 75%, and 20 90%.[25] The largest burning occurs in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. The main contributors are (in descending order) Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Algeria, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia and the United States.[26]​.

retail

Retailing in a low-carbon economy will have new features. One will be highly efficient lighting such as compact fluorescents, halogens, and eventually LED technology. Many stores will have solar panels on the roof. This makes sense because the majority of the energy produced by the panels occurs during the day and during the summer. That is, when electricity is more expensive and when businesses use more.[27]​.

Internationally, the most significant step towards a low-carbon economy was signing the Kyoto protocol, which took effect on February 16, 2005, by which the most industrialized countries decided to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions[31][32]​—with the exception of the United States, which did not sign the treaty.

The objective of this protocol, in its first period (2008-2012), included only the reduction of emissions by developed countries, which by then covered 30% of global emissions. In the second period (2013-2020), given the reduction in the relative weight of the emissions of the committed countries, that percentage dropped to 15%.[33]​.

Given the need to have an instrument that would ensure the participation of all countries to respond to the threats of the climate crisis, in 2015 the Paris Agreement was adopted,[33]​ which covers the different aspects of the fight against global warming, such as mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation, in order to prevent the increase in the average global temperature from exceeding 2° with respect to pre-industrial levels, as well as making efforts to limit this increase in just 1.5°.[7]​.

Currently, the Paris Agreement has been rectified by 195 parties.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Between 2015 and 2022, the Latin American and Caribbean region increased its renewable capacity by 51%, reaching 64% generation from renewable sources that last year. Despite these advances, and considering the progressive increase in electricity demand, the Inter-American Development Bank warned that the region will not reach net zero emissions by 2050 unless significant changes are made to the energy matrix.[34]​.

In terms of energy transition, Brazil and Chile are ranked as the leaders at the regional level[35]​ and are among the 20 countries best prepared for the transition, ranking 12th and 20th respectively in the Energy Transition Index (EIT).[36]​.

On the other hand, Costa Rica and Paraguay lead the tables of sustainability dimensions, mainly thanks to the majority use of hydroelectric energy.[36]​.

Europe

Iceland began using renewable energy since the beginning of the 20th century, and is considered a low-carbon economy. Either way, their per capita consumption of elegy grew with the economy. Since 2009, most of what is consumed comes from geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy, renewable sources.

And since 1999 it provides 70% of Iceland's energy and 99.9% of the electricity consumed. Therefore Iceland has a low carbon energy consumption, 62% less than the US,[37]​ despite using more primary energy.[38]​ As it is renewable, unlimited and at no cost to Icelanders. The country seeks carbon neutrality and hopes to use 100% renewable energy by 2050 and obtain hydrogen fuel through renewables.

Main article: oil disposal phase in Sweden").

The United Kingdom passed the Climate Change Act, which outlined a framework for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and became law on 26 November 2008. The legislation calls for an 80% cut in the UK's carbon emissions by 2050 (based on 1990 levels), with an interim reduction target of between 26 and 32% by 2050. 2020.[39]​ Thus, the United Kingdom became the first country to enact a law, with wide margin and significant reduction of its emissions.

A meeting of the Royal Society on 17-18 November 2008 concluded an integrated approach, making use of the best technologies at hand, to redirect the economy to a low-carbon economy. It was suggested by the participants that it is possible to move towards a low-carbon economy in a few decades, but that “urgent and sustained action on several fronts is necessary.”[40]​.

Oceania

Australia has begun implementing measures to achieve a low-carbon economy, although carbon neutrality has not been mentioned. In 2001 the government committed to reducing emissions by 5-15%. The Howard government has introduced the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme, so that by 2020 20% will be renewable energy.

In 2009 the Rudd government will promote short-term emissions reductions. It will do another review of the MRET and create the emissions trading system. Currently 8-10% of energy is renewable. Although the dependence and export of coal goes against the concept of a low-carbon economy.

Businesses with carbon neutrality bonuses are not incentivized, but voluntary. Carbon offsetting companies exist based on low life cycle impact actions. The Carbon Reduction Institute is an offset provider that ran a Low Carbon Directory to promote the goal.

The Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Finance asked[41]​ in May 2017 the Productivity Commission to review how New Zealand could maximize the opportunities and minimize the risks of the transition to a low-carbon economy. To comply[41]​ with the Paris Agreement on emissions reduction, the New Zealand Government is incentivizing electric vehicles and promoting research into reducing emissions from livestock (an important source of greenhouse gases, due to the methane produced by the digestion of cattle).

Asia

Main article: Renewable energy in China").

In China, the city of Dongtan is going to be built with the goal of having zero net greenhouse gas emissions.[42]​

China's State Council has announced[43]​ that China will cut its emissions by 40% to 45% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels.

Anglo-Saxon America

Low Carbon Economy Law[44]​.

Cities

Several companies are planning large-scale developments without the use of fossil fuels. Development plants such as Word Wide Assets LLC") for entire cities, using only geothermal energy for electricity, also geothermal desalination, and employing all types of recycling for water and waste are under development (2006) in Mexico and Australia.

Main article: Comparisons of the life cycle of gas emissions in the greenhouse effect").

Agriculture

Food products should be produced as close as possible to end consumers (preferably within cycling distance). This will reduce the amount of carbon-based energy needed to transport these products. Consumers can also buy fresh foods instead of processed foods, since processing them uses energy. Another possibility to save energy is to eat raw food. There are foods, such as fruits, that can be eaten raw without risk to health (others, such as meat, need to be cooked). Energy would be saved if food production and consumption were organized in such a way that people, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, took a maximum of raw foods.

Furthermore, the majority of agricultural facilities in the developed world are mechanized, due to rural electrification, producing significant productivity gains, although also consuming a lot of energy. For that and other low-carbon reasons (such as transportation costs), rural areas rely heavily on locally produced renewable resources and electricity.

Irrigation can be one of the main components of an agricultural facility's energy consumption. In some parts of California it can be as high as 90%.[21]​ In a low-carbon economy, irrigation equipment will be maintained and continually upgraded, and fields will use irrigation water more efficiently.

Different crops require different amounts of energy input. For example: greenhouse crops, irrigated crops and fruit trees require a large amount of energy to maintain, while row crops and field crops do not require as much maintenance. The existing greenhouses and irrigated crops will incorporate the following improvements:[22]​.

Greenhouse crops.

Irrigated herbaceous crops.

Livestock farming can also use a lot of energy depending on how it is run. They use them to feed animals: corn, soybeans, and other crops. And energy will be expended to produce those crops, process them and transport them. Animal husbandry will find the best grains to feed on, and the farmer will spend energy taking care of them, but not so much when the farmer grows grains and oilseeds.

Many livestock operations use a large amount of energy to water their livestock. In a low-carbon economy, water conservation methods such as collecting rainwater or using cisterns are used for such operations, as well as powering water pumps with renewable energy such as wind or solar.

Due to rural electrification facilities, most agriculture in developed countries uses a large amount of electricity. In a low carbon economy, farms will be built and equipped to enable greater energy efficiency. The dairy industry, for example, would incorporate the following changes:[22]​.

Hunting and Fishing

Fishing uses a lot of energy. Improvements in heat recovery from refrigeration, and trawling, will be common in a low-carbon economy.

Forestry

In a low-carbon economy, forestry will focus on low-impact, easy-regrowth practices. Forest managers will ensure that they do not alter too much the carbon reserves present in the soil. Farms with specialized trees will be the main source of many products. Quick maturing tree varieties will grow and be rotated in order to maximize production.[23]​.

Mining

Burning or releasing natural gas from oil wells into the atmosphere is a significant source of greenhouse gases.

The practice's contribution to greenhouse gases has declined from a 1970 peak of 110 metric tons/year and now contributes 0.5% of all anthropogenic carbon dioxide.[24]​

The World Bank estimates that 100 million cubic meters of natural gas are flared or vented per year. This is the equivalent of the gas consumed in one year by Germany and France, twice that consumed by Africa. And enough to supply the planet for 20 days. This burning is concentrated in a few countries, 10 countries emit 75%, and 20 90%.[25] The largest burning occurs in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. The main contributors are (in descending order) Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Algeria, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia and the United States.[26]​.

retail

Retailing in a low-carbon economy will have new features. One will be highly efficient lighting such as compact fluorescents, halogens, and eventually LED technology. Many stores will have solar panels on the roof. This makes sense because the majority of the energy produced by the panels occurs during the day and during the summer. That is, when electricity is more expensive and when businesses use more.[27]​.

Internationally, the most significant step towards a low-carbon economy was signing the Kyoto protocol, which took effect on February 16, 2005, by which the most industrialized countries decided to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions[31][32]​—with the exception of the United States, which did not sign the treaty.

The objective of this protocol, in its first period (2008-2012), included only the reduction of emissions by developed countries, which by then covered 30% of global emissions. In the second period (2013-2020), given the reduction in the relative weight of the emissions of the committed countries, that percentage dropped to 15%.[33]​.

Given the need to have an instrument that would ensure the participation of all countries to respond to the threats of the climate crisis, in 2015 the Paris Agreement was adopted,[33]​ which covers the different aspects of the fight against global warming, such as mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation, in order to prevent the increase in the average global temperature from exceeding 2° with respect to pre-industrial levels, as well as making efforts to limit this increase in just 1.5°.[7]​.

Currently, the Paris Agreement has been rectified by 195 parties.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Between 2015 and 2022, the Latin American and Caribbean region increased its renewable capacity by 51%, reaching 64% generation from renewable sources that last year. Despite these advances, and considering the progressive increase in electricity demand, the Inter-American Development Bank warned that the region will not reach net zero emissions by 2050 unless significant changes are made to the energy matrix.[34]​.

In terms of energy transition, Brazil and Chile are ranked as the leaders at the regional level[35]​ and are among the 20 countries best prepared for the transition, ranking 12th and 20th respectively in the Energy Transition Index (EIT).[36]​.

On the other hand, Costa Rica and Paraguay lead the tables of sustainability dimensions, mainly thanks to the majority use of hydroelectric energy.[36]​.

Europe

Iceland began using renewable energy since the beginning of the 20th century, and is considered a low-carbon economy. Either way, their per capita consumption of elegy grew with the economy. Since 2009, most of what is consumed comes from geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy, renewable sources.

And since 1999 it provides 70% of Iceland's energy and 99.9% of the electricity consumed. Therefore Iceland has a low carbon energy consumption, 62% less than the US,[37]​ despite using more primary energy.[38]​ As it is renewable, unlimited and at no cost to Icelanders. The country seeks carbon neutrality and hopes to use 100% renewable energy by 2050 and obtain hydrogen fuel through renewables.

Main article: oil disposal phase in Sweden").

The United Kingdom passed the Climate Change Act, which outlined a framework for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and became law on 26 November 2008. The legislation calls for an 80% cut in the UK's carbon emissions by 2050 (based on 1990 levels), with an interim reduction target of between 26 and 32% by 2050. 2020.[39]​ Thus, the United Kingdom became the first country to enact a law, with wide margin and significant reduction of its emissions.

A meeting of the Royal Society on 17-18 November 2008 concluded an integrated approach, making use of the best technologies at hand, to redirect the economy to a low-carbon economy. It was suggested by the participants that it is possible to move towards a low-carbon economy in a few decades, but that “urgent and sustained action on several fronts is necessary.”[40]​.

Oceania

Australia has begun implementing measures to achieve a low-carbon economy, although carbon neutrality has not been mentioned. In 2001 the government committed to reducing emissions by 5-15%. The Howard government has introduced the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme, so that by 2020 20% will be renewable energy.

In 2009 the Rudd government will promote short-term emissions reductions. It will do another review of the MRET and create the emissions trading system. Currently 8-10% of energy is renewable. Although the dependence and export of coal goes against the concept of a low-carbon economy.

Businesses with carbon neutrality bonuses are not incentivized, but voluntary. Carbon offsetting companies exist based on low life cycle impact actions. The Carbon Reduction Institute is an offset provider that ran a Low Carbon Directory to promote the goal.

The Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Finance asked[41]​ in May 2017 the Productivity Commission to review how New Zealand could maximize the opportunities and minimize the risks of the transition to a low-carbon economy. To comply[41]​ with the Paris Agreement on emissions reduction, the New Zealand Government is incentivizing electric vehicles and promoting research into reducing emissions from livestock (an important source of greenhouse gases, due to the methane produced by the digestion of cattle).

Asia

Main article: Renewable energy in China").

In China, the city of Dongtan is going to be built with the goal of having zero net greenhouse gas emissions.[42]​

China's State Council has announced[43]​ that China will cut its emissions by 40% to 45% by 2020 compared to 2005 levels.

Anglo-Saxon America

Low Carbon Economy Law[44]​.

Cities

Several companies are planning large-scale developments without the use of fossil fuels. Development plants such as Word Wide Assets LLC") for entire cities, using only geothermal energy for electricity, also geothermal desalination, and employing all types of recycling for water and waste are under development (2006) in Mexico and Australia.

Main article: Comparisons of the life cycle of gas emissions in the greenhouse effect").