Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, refers to a state whereby the CO2 produced by a person or process is exactly balanced by the amount of CO2 either offset or sequestered by that person or process.

So how can carbon neutrality be achieved? There are four main areas to look at:

• Limiting transport energy usage and emissions (walking, using bicycles or public transport, avoiding flying, using low-energy vehicles).
  
• Minimising emissions from buildings, equipment, animals and processes.
  
• Using renewable energy sources for electricity and other energy, either directly by generating it (installing solar panels on the roof for example) or by selecting an approved green energy provider, and by using low-carbon alternative fuels such as sustainable biofuels.
  
• Offsetting the remaining emissions that cannot for the moment be avoided or generated from renewables in a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon credits. See our section on carbon offsetting for more information.

Being carbon neutral is increasingly seen as good corporate or state social responsibility and a growing list of corporations and states are announcing dates for when they intend to become fully neutral.

There is currently no agreed definition or standard for carbon neutrality. Some definitions require both direct and indirect emissions to be accounted for, while others only require direct emissions to be reduced and balanced for carbon neutral status. When examining claims of carbon neutrality it is worth checking the definition being used.