decarbonize

[ dee-kahr-buh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·car·bon·ized, de·car·bon·iz·ing.

1. to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of (a household, industry, country, etc.):

   Our expertise is in designing new ways to decarbonize our economy, using solar energy and renewable carbon to replace fossil fuels.

2. decarburize.

verb (used without object)

1. to reduce the carbon output of the activities of a household, industry, country, etc.:

   The world is not decarbonizing fast enough to reach global climate targets.

decarbonize

/ diːˈkɑːbəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. tr to remove carbon from (the walls of the combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine) Alsodecokedecarburize

Derived Forms

• deˈcarbonˌizer, noun
• deˌcarboniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·car·bon·i·za·tion [dee-kahr-b, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• de·car·bon·iz·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decarbonize¹

First recorded in 1815–25; de- + carbonize

Example Sentences

We need the premiums to be so low that everyone will be able to decarbonize.

From Time

The benefit of the work that we’re doing is it supports not only the development of that export market, but also provides an alternate energy source for our own operations so that we can decarbonize more rapidly.

From Fortune

The deal represents the growing might of a group of fast-moving, low-carbon utilities companies—increasingly coming from abroad—in the race to decarbonize America’s energy sector.

From Fortune

Concrete production currently produces about 7% of global emissions, the IEA says, more than double the amount produced by global aviation—itself a notoriously difficult-to-decarbonize sector.

From Fortune

Carlos Alvarado Quesada was elected president of Costa Rica in 2018, putting efforts to decarbonize his country’s economy at the center of his administration—but his concern for the environment also extends to orbit.

From Quartz