There are many terminologies to try to understand when it comes to environmentally friendly beauty, from “green” and “clean” to “plastic-free.” Currently, the eco-buzzword for making waves is “carbon neutral.” The idea of “carbon-neutral beauty” focuses on reducing and offsetting carbon emissions in order to ensure that our products have a minimal environmental impact. However, is the term “carbon neutral” actually helpful when attempting to make more sustainable purchasing decisions, or is it just another perplexing marketing gimmick?
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS CARBON EMISSIONS?
Due to their major contribution to climate change and the ensuing effects on the environment, ecosystems, and human well-being, carbon emissions must be addressed immediately. These emissions, which mostly consist of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gasses, are a factor in global warming and its side consequences, such as rising sea levels, melting ice caps, extreme weather events, changing rainfall patterns, and ecological disruptions. We can decrease climate change, reduce air pollution, advance sustainable resource management, lessen social and economic consequences, and fulfill our global obligation to build a sustainable future for present and future generations by tackling carbon emissions.
WHAT DOES CARBON NEUTRALITY MEAN?
When a firm, organization, or individual has achieved carbon neutrality, it means that their carbon impact is zero. By reducing an equivalent amount of emissions from the environment, the entity’s overall emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gasses are balanced. To effectively minimize the net emission of CO2 into the atmosphere and so mitigate the effects of climate change, carbon neutrality is the desired outcome.
Achieving carbon neutrality entails taking steps to reduce emissions through sustainable practices, adopt clean energy sources, increase energy efficiency, and spend money on carbon offset projects, like reforestation or renewable energy programmes, to make up for any emissions that are still present.
WHY DO WE TALK ABOUT “NET ZERO” EMISSIONS? IS IT THE SAME AS EMISSIONS OF CARBON?
In a perfect world, nothing we do or purchase would produce carbon dioxide, leaving us all with zero carbon footprints. But in reality, this is pretty much impossible. Therefore, it’s crucial that we concentrate on minimizing our carbon footprint as much as possible. The scientific community agrees that in order to prevent catastrophic effects on the world, we must cut emissions to net zero (or, in other words, be carbon neutral).
CARBON EMISSIONS ARE MEASURED IN WHAT WAYS?
There are three distinct carbon neutral scopes (the benchmark used by the industry for calculating and controlling carbon emissions):
Scope 1: emissions coming straight from the business.
Scope 2: Emissions resulting from the purchase of electricity, such as for lighting an office or running manufacturing equipment.
Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, such as those brought on by the extraction of raw materials or by shipping.
WHAT ROLE DO BEAUTY BRANDS PLAY?
Beauty companies play an important role in the fight against carbon emissions and the advancement of sustainability. These companies have the opportunity to have a beneficial effect on the environment and change consumer behavior because they are big producers of greenhouse gas emissions. Following are some crucial functions that beauty brands can play:
Skincare Industry role in climate change
Sustainable sourcing is something that cosmetics companies should emphasize when selecting components. Brands may lessen their carbon footprint and support environmentally friendly practices by using materials that are organic, renewable,sustainable and responsibly sourced. This includes obtaining products from vendors who use eco-friendly farming, gathering, and extraction practices. Say no to produce from forest, always use cultivable ingredients only.
At SNAANA we make every effort to ensure quality, raw and healthy produce sourced from the farmer.
Manufacturing and packaging: Cosmetics companies can use environmentally friendly manufacturing and packaging techniques. Brands may drastically reduce their carbon emissions by optimizing energy use, cutting waste, and utilizing eco-friendly products. This can entail reducing water use, employing renewable energy sources, and using recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Also proper soft handling of items by logistics companies can result in less damage and thereby less cushioning around the item.
Carbon Offsetting: By funding approved carbon offset programmes, beauty brands can offset their leftover carbon footprints. These initiatives could support reforestation efforts, renewable energy projects, or community-based activities to increase energy access and efficiency, all of which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Education and Transparency: Beauty companies can inform customers about how their products affect the environment and encourage sustainable lifestyle choices. Brands can empower consumers to make educated decisions and support businesses that prioritize sustainability by being transparent about their sustainability policies.
Innovation and research: Beauty companies can spend money on creative and environmentally friendly replacements for conventional chemicals and procedures. This can entail looking at eco-friendly packaging options, creating recipes with renewable or biodegradable components, and implementing energy-saving and waste-reduction technology.
At SNAANA we make use of traditional techniques where more manpower is used in place of automated plants to avoid multiple stage processing of the ingredients which help us produce a healthy handmade product. This helps us reduce our reliance on electricity etc. and help generate employment too and of course delivering the best.
Beauty companies may play an important role in influencing the industry for the better, educating consumers about sustainable practices, and motivating them to make more responsible purchasing decisions. In the end, they may be able to lessen the environmental effects of the beauty business and help create a more sustainable future.
WHAT STEPS CAN CONSUMERS TAKE TO BECOME CARBON AWARENESS?
Customers can take a number of actions to increase their awareness of climate change and make greener decisions in their daily lives. Here are some things people can do:
Educate Yourself: Start by understanding about climate change, carbon emissions, and the environment they have an effect on. Recognise how your lifestyle decisions, especially your living & purchasing patterns, affect carbon emissions. Keep up with green technologies and practices that can help you lower your carbon impact.
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: To determine your individual carbon emissions, use online carbon footprint calculators. These technologies take into account things like energy use, transportation, diet, and waste production. Your carbon footprint can be calculated to assist you find areas where you can adjust your behavior to cut emissions.
Reduce Energy Consumption: Take measures to reduce the amount of energy you use at home and throughout the day. This can involve utilizing energy-efficient equipment, properly insulating your home, turning off lights when not in use, and adjusting your thermostat to save energy. Your carbon footprint can be further decreased by utilizing renewable energy options, such as solar panels or a green energy provider.
Practice Sustainable Eating: To lessen the carbon footprint connected with food production, make thoughtful dietary decisions. Include more plant-based meals in your diet, and select organic, locally sourced, and seasonally available produce. Meal planning, composting, and avoiding excessive packaging can all help you reduce food waste.
Go local – It’s best to look for local items as much in your routine as this will help reduce logistics bigtime thereby reducing environmental impact. Plus there are chances you are making use of more healthy items, items less dependent on preservatives & cold storages.
Keep in mind that, while vital, individual acts must be combined with group efforts and systemic adjustments to have a major influence. Customers may help create a future that is more environmentally sustainable by developing a carbon-aware mentality and making sustainable decisions.