Understanding Carbon and Climate Impact
Learn about the role of carbon, what net zero means, and how to achieve carbon neutrality.
What is Carbon?
Carbon is a fundamental element found in all living organisms and is a key component of the Earth's natural cycles. However, when released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄) through activities like burning fossil fuels, it contributes to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.
What is Net Zero?
Achieving net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere. This is accomplished by reducing emissions through cleaner energy and sustainable practices, and by offsetting unavoidable emissions using carbon credits or nature-based solutions like reforestation.
What is Carbon Neutral?
Being carbon neutral means that a product or process offsets as much carbon as it emits. Rather than reducing emissions to zero, it involves compensating for emissions through verified carbon offset projects, resulting in a net balance of zero carbon impact.
Life Cycle Accounting
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is the most widely used framework for measuring greenhouse gas emissions. The Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard provides a comprehensive approach to measuring the carbon footprint of a product, covering all stages of its existence.
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Raw Material Extraction
Emissions from sourcing and processing raw materials.
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Manufacturing & Production
Emissions from energy use in factories and processing plants.
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Transportation & Distribution
Carbon footprint from moving materials and finished products.
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Use Phase
The impact when a product is in operation or use.
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End-of-Life Disposal
Emissions linked to disposal, landfill, or recycling efforts.
By following this framework, companies can accurately assess their environmental impact and identify opportunities for reducing emissions.
Cradle to Gate vs Cradle to Grave
Two key approaches to assessing a product’s environmental footprint:
Cradle to Gate
Measures the environmental impact from raw material extraction to when the product leaves the factory. This approach focuses solely on the production phase.
Cradle to Grave
Takes a full life cycle approach, measuring the impact from raw material extraction through to disposal or recycling. This method provides a complete view of a product’s environmental footprint.
Understanding the difference helps businesses and consumers make informed decisions about the sustainability of products and materials.
Supporting Carbon Offset Projects
Carbon credits are an important tool in offsetting unavoidable emissions, provided they come from verified and high-quality sources. Red Stag Materials supports carbon offsetting by purchasing Gold Standard-certified carbon credits.
One of our supported projects focuses on water borehole restoration in Uganda, providing clean drinking water to communities while reducing carbon emissions associated with boiling water.
These projects contribute to global carbon reduction efforts while delivering health, social, and economic benefits to local communities.
Tree Planting with TreeApp – Mangrove Reforestation in Indonesia
For every online order placed with Red Stag Materials, we plant one tree through our partnership with TreeApp.
Our initiative focuses on planting mangrove trees in Indonesia—a country that has lost over 40% of its mangrove forests due to deforestation. Mangroves are essential as they sequester large amounts of carbon, protect coastal villages from flooding and erosion, and support local communities by preserving vital wetland ecosystems.
TreeApp is working on restoring aquatic ecosystems on Lombok Island, where mangroves are being planted to rebuild natural barriers against rising sea levels.
Learn more about the project:
TreeApp Mangrove Reforestation Project in Indonesia
Our environmental impact and commitment to sustainability are detailed in the
TreeApp Impact Report 2024