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What is the carbon budget?

In lots of climate literature and discussion you&#8217;ll see reference to the carbon budget. But what actually is it? And, what does it have to do with you? In this article, we&#8217;ll unpack the concept of the carbon budget, discuss why it’s important, and explain how this budget has the ability to affect your daily life.

Budgeting is a handy tool used by many, to ensure we are on track and can sustain our livelihoods. Whether or not you use a budget, their overall premise remains the same &#8211; an accurate budget can be used for projections to help us make decisions about our present and future behaviour based on what we know about our current situation. 
Just like individuals, the earth’s system has its own carbon budget &#8211; a budget that gives us insight into the atmosphere’s threshold for carbon emissions over a period of time.
Exceeding this threshold would result in global temperatures <a href="https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasing to dangerous levels</a>. This budget therefore enables us to change action to ensure that we meet favourable projected scenarios and effectively remain within this budget to sustain ourselves. Although the carbon budget applies globally, not all countries and industries are adhering to it &#8211; some don’t like the idea of budgeting at all, and <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/37004/EGR21_ZNZ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">others are not really taking it seriously</a>. 
Almost every country in the world has ratified the <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/climate-emergency/2-minute-brief-what-is-the-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Agreement</a>, which compels governments to set nationally-determined targets targeted at limiting global warming to well below 2°C, or as close to 1.5°C as possible, compared to pre-industrial levels. These targets were established by the <a href="https://unfccc.int/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</a> on the basis of projections of future climate impacts associated with different amounts of global warming. These projections inform the threshold of the volume of greenhouse gases (measured in carbon dioxide equivalent) which can be emitted into the atmosphere &#8211; or in other words, our carbon budget.  
The <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C</a> (2018), which specifically deals with impacts of 1.5°C warming versus other scenarios, gives a clear warning message that the less warming we have, the less we are exposed to the unpredictable and severe impacts of climate change. To achieve this aim, the Report found that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would have to halve by 2030 and drop to net zero by 2050. It’s an ambitious aim, considering the amount of current emissions in the atmosphere and our reliance on fossil fuels, but it is certainly possible. It requires governments, industries, and households to collectively and continually reduce emissions and ultimately change behaviour.  
One of the mechanisms which has started working to give effect to the findings of the Special Report is the <a href="https://sciencebasedtargets.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Science-Based Targets Initiative</a> (SBTi). The SBTi helps businesses align their behaviour with a 1.5ºC future by providing clearly-defined pathways for companies to reduce their GHG emissions. Pathway targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The SBTi is one of the leading initiatives that enables the private sector to ensure a reduction of their GHG emissions and to set a net-zero target in line with a 1.5°C future.

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What does the carbon budget mean for individuals?

Carbon budgets continue to be a popular approach to frame the challenge of keeping global warming to ‘acceptable’ levels because it gives us <a href="http://tool.globalcalculator.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">something tangible to visualise and work with</a>. We need the climate budget to inform our decision-making and behaviour at a governmental, industry, and household level &#8211; otherwise we have no concept of what informs our actions to reduce emissions. 
The carbon budget also has the ability to demonstrate the effect of inaction, as it utilises climate projections to determine future scenarios. The idea of what a 2ºC or 3°C  temperature increase would look like <a href="https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/impacts-climate-change-one-point-five-degrees-two-degrees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paints a dismal picture</a>, and in many ways, keeps us on track to avoid projected disaster scenarios. <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The IPCC Working Group 3’s contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report</a>, published in April 2022, states that there is still time to limit the global temperature increase below 1.5°C. However, scientists warn that the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/window-for-climate-action-closing-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">window of opportunity is rapidly closing</a> and the situation is getting more urgent. At the launch of the Report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it was a “file of shame, cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track towards an unlivable world”. According to the <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emissions Gap Report 2021</a>, which provides an overview of the difference between where GHG emissions are predicted to be in 2030 and where they should be to avert the worst impacts of climate change, the emissions gap still remains large. Compared to previous unconditional NDCs, collective new pledges for 2030 reduce projected emissions by only 7.5% &#8211; whereas a 30% reduction is needed for 2°C (and 55% reduction for 1.5°C). As a whole, <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/36991/EGR21_ESEN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">countries are falling short of meeting their new or updated NDCs</a> and announced pledges with current policies.
However, the carbon budget shouldn’t induce fear, it should inspire behaviour change. There is a misconception that if we exceed our carbon budget, we are unequivocally doomed. Imagery and advertising of a ‘climate apocalypse’ with a countdown clock springs to mind &#8211; let’s be clear that exceeding our carbon budget does not directly translate to the end of the world. However, the world it would result in would be increasingly unlivable as time goes on as warmer temperatures will bring worse impacts that threaten lives, livelihoods, and economies.

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Should the world’s carbon budget affect everyday decisions?

Absolutely. 
The carbon budget can be interpreted as a broad framework under which a huge amount of climate-related decisions are made. We make decisions every day that ultimately have an effect on our climate, whether we are aware of them or not. At a global level, countries who are signatories to the Paris Agreement have an obligation to limit their carbon emissions, and can do so by setting their own carbon budgets to ensure they remain on track with their commitments. 
These global carbon budgets can be further divided into national emissions budgets where countries set their own climate mitigation goals, such as the UK, who are <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carbon-budgets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the first country to set their own legally binding carbon budget. </a>Governments are urged to go beyond their current Paris Agreement commitments, which if left unchanged, would result in an expected<a href="https://www.unep.org/interactive/emissions-gap-report/2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> temperature rise to 3.2°C this century.</a> Collective decision-making will impact the speed at which we will approach the carbon budget’s threshold, which is why ensuring that future decisions, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2022/may/11/fossil-fuel-carbon-bombs-climate-breakdown-oil-gas#Code-red" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specifically in the energy sector</a>, are made with the carbon budget in mind is absolutely key.

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While the idea of sticking within the parameters of our carbon budget might feel like a complicated ask at the household and individual level, it’s ironically anything but complicated. The best thing you can do to ensure we stay within our carbon budget is actually quite simple &#8211; limit your greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible in your daily life. 
Support businesses that align with the goal of a decarbonised future. It may seem like an indirect link but where and how you use your money has a tremendous impact on emission reductions. Some simple ways to ensure your money is put to good use on a daily basis includes <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/environmental-activism-your-first-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investing your money in ethical pension funds and banking with organisations</a> that ensure your money is not supporting the fossil-fuel industry. 
The solutions to the climate crisis already exist, it’s just about ensuring that our actions align with our intentions. Every fraction of a degree that our Earth’s temperature increases matters, so it’s no surprise that the small actions we take each day really add up. You can be part of the solution through a variety of ways; like <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/food-waste-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reducing food waste</a>, introducing <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49238749" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plant-based alternatives</a> into your diet, being more <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/3-steps-to-creating-an-energy-efficient-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mindful of energy efficiency</a> in your home, and opting for public transport as much as possible. Once you’ve reduced your <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/product/carbon-footprinting-at-ecologi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carbon footprint</a> to as low as possible, it’s appropriate to offset remaining emissions. Ecologi offers a variety of <a href="https://ecologi.com/projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reforestation and verified carbon offsetting projects</a> to enable you to take climate action, while supporting natural ecosystems and local communities through tree planting initiatives. 
While it’s imperative that we embed emission reduction activities into our daily lives, government buy-in on the road to decarbonisation is key. Collective action is a powerful thing, and <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/environmental-activism-your-first-steps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environmental activism</a> in the climate space is one of the means in which we can ensure that our governments are paving the way for a sustainable future that does not exceed the carbon budget. <a href="https://ecologi.com/articles/blog/activism-how-the-drops-inside-the-ocean-are-breaking-down-the-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Advocate</a> for the future that is important to you and support political parties who share your vision of a decarbonised future. 
<a href="https://ecologi.com/plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign up today to take real climate action with Ecologi</a>.

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Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.

The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

In Depth

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Just as we make sure all our reforestation projects are designed in a way that is most beneficial to our planet, our other terrestrial restoration projects need to be of the highest quality too. Wildflower, Wetlands and Wildlife projects have the potential to provide vital support to a wide array of species, boosting local, national and international biodiversity, as well as being an important and secure carbon store. But for these benefits to come to fruition the projects must be implemented properly, in line with best practices.
We know you might have some questions about this new type of project, so we’ve put together answers to some FAQs to help you learn more about our Wildflower, Wetlands and Wildlife project.

Your questions answered

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Before and after: See how your climate action is making a difference

Before and after: This is how your Ecologi impact is transforming landscapes and lives.

We love a before and after shot at Ecologi. They&#8217;re an incredible way to show the impact of the projects supported by our community. Whether it’s deforested land turning back to verdant green, or solar projects springing to life, sometimes two simple images are worth a thousand words.
On this blog you’ll find snapshot images that paint pictures of the difference our supported climate projects are making, all around the world. Thank you to our community for making it all possible! 
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📍 Location: Ouarzazate, Morocco
⌛ Dates: 2015 –2020
🌱 Project: Verified Carbon Standard
🌳 Type: Solar energy

Morocco

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From a bare area of desert to a haven of clean energy. The Ouarzazate II solar project is a major milestone in Morocco&#8217;s journey towards a clean energy future. It is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the world and is expected to supply around 500 GWh per year to Morocco’s power grid.
The project uses thousands of concave mirrors to concentrate solar energy and generate electricity, which can be stored for up to 7 hours. This allows the project to continue generating electricity even after the sun sets.
The Ouarzazate II solar project supplies electricity to nearly 2 million Moroccans and will prevent emissions equivalent to 300,544 tCO2e per year over its 10 year crediting period. The project has also created around 7,000 local jobs and incorporated co-projects that promote the creation of cooperatives, educational opportunities, and skills training.
Learn more about this<a href="https://ecologi.com/projects/morocco-solar"> project</a>.

📍 Location: Brodoclea, North Ayrshire, Scotland
⌛ Dates: 2018 –2021
🌱 Project: Future Forest Company
🌳 Type: Temperate reforestation

Scotland

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Nestled in North Ayrshire, Brodoclea is a sprawling 174-hectare haven of broadleaf woodland that plays host to woolly pigs, the incredible ecological restoration engineers! 
Under <a href="https://thefutureforestcompany.com/">The Future Forest Company</a>&#8216;s guidance, these pigs awaken the soil seed bank, nourish soil microbiology, create space for sapling growth, reduce competition, and form pondlets for breeding amphibians and invertebrates. This enriches the ecosystem, offering sustenance for birds and materials for nests. 
Since 2018, the Ecologi community has helped make a significant impact on this site, funding the planting of 56,170 trees, with a focus on native broadleaf species including oak and birch, creating important habitat for local invertebrate and bird species.

📍 Location: Belavenika, Madagascar.
⌛ Dates: 2019 –2022
🌱 Project: Eden Reforestation Projects
🌳 Type: Mangrove reforestation

Madagascar

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Madagascar’s mangroves are amazing habitats that, sadly, have been deforested over the years and become degraded. This project is one of three currently being supported by the Ecologi community that are replanting mangroves in Madagascar to bring benefits to local biodiversity and communities.
Creating new sustainable income streams for local people is a key component of the project, as is female empowerment. The project employs an average of 85 people per month, with female employees making up approximately 37.5% of the workforce in 2022.
As a result of their involvement in this project, local people are now able to purchase more nutritious food, leading to improved health, and can afford to send their children to school.
To date, the Ecologi community has funded 7.9 million trees on this site in north-west Madagascar.
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📍 Location: Marotaola, Madagascar.
⌛ Dates: 2019 –2022
🌱 Project: Eden Reforestation Projects
🌳 Type: Mangrove reforestation

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This was the very first project we supported, so it holds a special place in our hearts. Seeing its progress over the last four years has brought us so much joy! 
Native mangrove species are being planted on this site, including Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Ceriops tagal. To date, the Ecologi community has funded the planting of over 10 million trees here, and there’s room for another million. 
This site is particularly fascinating as the mangroves are only separated from the open ocean by a thin strip of sand about 100m wide. Despite being more exposed to the ocean, mangroves that have successfully become established are growing well, creating an important habitat for coastal biodiversity and protecting the coastline from erosion by the waves.
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📍 Location: Vĩnh Hảo, Tuy Phong District, Bình Thuận, Vietnam
⌛ Dates: 2018 –2023
🌱 Project: Verified Carbon Standard
☀️ Type: Solar

Vietnam

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Vietnam&#8217;s demand for energy has been rising sharply since the 1990s, and it’s a demand that the country has struggled to fulfil, with an overreliance on coal and frequent power outages.
This project, in the Vinh Hao commune, Vietnam, is generating electricity using photovoltaic technology, which transforms sunlight into electricity. The project is on around 60ha of salt farm, and will generate 83,750MWh of power annually.
Local people have been involved throughout the design phase and operation of the project. The construction process of the project was carefully managed to minimise the impact on the local environment. During the operation of the project, pollution will also be minimised through a series of measures, including ensuring no littering takes place, and waste materials will be responsibly disposed of off-site.
Over the 10-year crediting period, the project will prevent 704,110tCO2e from being emitted by replacing energy in the grid that would otherwise have come from fossil fuels.
The project has given a real boost to the living standards of local communities through economic support funds: the commune gratitude fund in the Vinh Hao commune, and the learning promotion fund in the Binh Thuan province.
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📍 Location: Mount Elgon, Uganda. 
⌛ Dates: 2021 – 2023
🌱 Project: Trees for the Future
🌳 Type: Reforestation and sustainable agroforestry

Uganda

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Trees for the Future’s innovative Forest Gardens approach is all about engaging farmers in reforestation and sustainable agroforestry. The farmers take part in a 4-year programme, learning the skills they need to better manage their land. This brings multiple benefits, including protected crops, stabilised soils, and habitats for pollinators, as well as increasing household incomes.
Over the past two years, the Ecologi community has funded the planting of 766,663 trees in Forest Gardens through this project. Three hundred farmers (57% of whom are women) are involved, with 3,522 people benefitting from the project so far. 
Pictured is 56-year-old Philister Khana, a farmer enrolled in the programme. In just two years she’s taken the number of trees on her plot from 4 to 2,001!
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What is the carbon budget?