Carbon Negative

The removal of carbon from the atmosphere in greater quantities than that which is produced (or emitted) by an organisation, product or service. Working practices and processes effectively draw down carbon dioxide and capture it, with natural vegetation cover, especially trees and grassland, capturing CO2 through the process of photosynthesis. Grounds management might consider reducing carbon emissions from maintenance work on sports pitches and amenity swards by ensuring a suitable natural surrounding local environment is managed as an interconnected single entity rather than being seen as tw

Continue reading about this

  Carbon Neutral

This is more commonly referred to as Carbon Neutrality, however, it may also mean a carbon neutral fuel which has been produced from renewable energy; or a zero-net energy, zero-carbon, or a building with zero net energy consumption.

  Carbon Neutrality

The achievement of net zero emissions of carbon dioxide by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal. Carbon offsetting is a typical way of balancing emissions; however, the focus should be on reducing or avoiding emissions, thereby reducing the carbon footprint, rather than continuing with polluting emissions and essentially paying for the privilege of polluting. The similar term net zero typically has an emphasis on a more pro-active approach to reducing carbon (well all greenhouse gas) emissions. The international standard PAS 2060 Specification for the demonstration of carbon neu

Continue reading about this

  Carbon Offset

An accounting method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, or equivalence emissions of other greenhouse gases, by balancing or compensating with positive carbon projects such as those involving renewable energy, tree planting or reforestation.

  Carbon Positive

This is another term for Carbon Negative.

  Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and then storing carbon dioxide for a long period of time. The capturing process might occur as atmospheric capture, such as through photosynthesis which can store CO2 in trees, or as part of a manufacturing process, especially after combustion of fuel and materials. The storage of CO2 might be enhanced by creating more peat bogs, woodlands, allowing more forest regrowth, restoring drained or reclaimed saltmarshes and inland wetland, as well as using underground saline sedimentary rocks and disused oil or gas fields. Increasing root depth and density in turfgrass s

Continue reading about this

  Carbon Sink

Anything that can be used to store carbon. Forests, grassland, soils and oceans are all carbon sinks and can store significant quantities of captured carbon dioxide. Human actions which result in deforestation, soil degradation and ocean acidification all reduce the planet’s ability to capture and store carbon dioxide and this exacerbates climate change.

  Carbon Source

Any substance or action which releases carbon into the atmosphere. Deforestation, which involves the cutting down of trees thereby removing a valuable carbon sink, and the burning of vegetation as part of this process and then conversion of the land for agricultural purposes is a source of carbon emissions. The burning of crops and stubble, along with animal farming are also carbon sources. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil emits vast quantities of carbon into the atmosphere (being the major contributor to human produced carbon emissions), whilst natural sources of

Continue reading about this

  Caring for the Earth

Nine principles for sustainable development which were proposed in 1991 by the IUCN (World Conservation Union), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). The principles are: 1. Respect and care for the community of life. 2. Improve the quality of human life. 3. Conserve the Earth's vitality and diversity. 4. Minimize the depletion of non-renewable resources. 5. Keep within the Earth's carrying capacity. 6. Change personal attitudes and practices. 7. Enable communities to care for their own environments. 8. Provide a national framewo

Continue reading about this

  Carrying Capacity

There are several variations on this term although the main focus and interpretation within turf management is based on that of Ecological Carrying Capacity. This is the maximum level of use that can be sustained which does not cause an unacceptable reduction in the quality of the surface. For sports pitches, this relates to how much usage can take place without creating a surface that produces an unacceptable standard of playing surface. Carrying capacity can be modified by applying a range of construction methods and management practices. Sports pitch carrying capacity is a guide for an

Continue reading about this