Meaning:
Translated from the English term “carbon neutrality,” this has recently been a buzzword in China after it was mentioned as a goal in Premier Li Keqiang’s government work report made earlier this month. It means having a balance between emitting and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, by means of reducing emissions and efforts of forestation. This can be done through investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and other clean, low-carbon technologies. The target is urgent because climate change has triggered extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy rain, floods and landslides, as well as serious consequences such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification and loss of biodiversity.
Example:
A: 碳中和这个词最近很热啊。
Tànzhōnghé zhège cí zuìjìn hěn rè a。
Carbon neutrality is a buzzword now.
B: 是的，很多大公司都公布了碳中和目标，承诺2030年实现净零排放。
Shìde，hěnduō dà gōngsī dōu gōngbù le tànzhōnghé mùbiāo，chéngnuò èrlíngsānlíng nián shíxiàn jìng língpáifàng。
Yeah, many big companies have announced their carbon neutrality goals, promising to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.