My Year of ‘Net Zero’ Living: A Personal Journey
- Chong Hin KOH
- Feb 16, 2025
- 5 min read
It all began when a colleague asked me to take an environmental footprint survey. With a sense of smug satisfaction, I expected to come out well below the average person's footprint, given my household's notably low electricity and water consumption compared to benchmarks in Singapore.
The Wake-Up Call
To my utter astonishment, my CO2 footprint was multiples of the average Singaporean’s 8,760 kg per year [1]. Unbeknownst to me, frequent air travel had an outsized impact on my total carbon footprint. This realization was the catalyst to my journey towards net zero.
(Net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere. Essentially, it involves reducing emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions being offset by actions that remove CO2. Singapore aims for net zero emissions by 2050, targeting 45-50 million tons by 2035, down from around 60Mt in 2030.)
Low Hanging Fruit - Carbon Offsets
To mitigate my travel-related emissions, I began purchasing carbon offsets, which cost me a few hundred dollars in a year. Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for emissions by funding equivalent CO2 saving projects, such as reforestation, renewable energy, or energy efficiency initiatives. The benefits of carbon offsets include supporting environmental projects that might not have been feasible otherwise, promoting sustainability, and raising awareness about carbon footprints.
While the effectiveness of carbon offsets is often questioned, especially with concerns about greenwashing, it felt like a step in the right direction. Critics argue that carbon offsets shift responsibility to individuals instead of the main carbon emitters. Was I inadvertently covering the cost of my business travel emissions that should have been borne by my employer?
Early Adoption of Electric Vehicles
When it was time to replace my internal combustion engine (ICE) car, I opted for an electric vehicle (EV), a decision I still do not regret. No more combustion fumes, oil residues, or trips to the petrol station. I spend only about one-third on electricity compared to gasoline yearly.
EVs are gaining popularity due to several factors. They have reduced operating costs, are generally cheaper to run and maintain than ICE vehicles, and provide environmental benefits since they produce no tailpipe emissions, which improves urban air quality. Additionally, technological advancements have improved battery technology, resulting in longer ranges and faster charging times.
EV skeptics argue that these vehicles merely shift the environmental burden from one source to another, rather than eliminating it entirely, as more CO2 is produced during battery manufacturing and the associated mining for key metals like lithium, nickel and cobalt. There is a further 'dark side' to EVs, where the powerful motor magnets require rare earth minerals that are difficult to mine and can involve substantial pollution. End-of-life battery waste is another concern.
There have been studies that show that EV CO2 emissions are significantly lower than ICE vehicles over the entire lifecycle [2]. Countries like China, UK, and the USA are investing in EV battery recycling technologies and improving existing plants [3]. Responsible mining practices can also mitigate the environmental impact of resource extraction.
The EV Dilemma: Is the Grid Energy ‘Clean’?
One significant challenge for Singapore is that our electricity is generated from fossil fuels, primarily liquefied natural gas (LNG), though it is to be said that LNG power plants produce significantly lower emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases than coal or crude oil-based power plants. These power plants are situated far from urban centers, allowing for effective control of CO2 emissions. By managing these emissions, urban air quality can improve, particularly if we also reduce CO2 outputs from vehicles. I still had my reservations; hence I took a further step to install solar panels on my home to generate clean electricity.
Harnessing Solar Power
In the last decade, significant progress has been made in solar panel technology. Modern solar panels can convert more sunlight into electricity than older models. The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly, making them more accessible. New technologies, like bifacial panels and solar tiles, are improving performance and aesthetics.
Despite these advancements, the payback period is still lengthy—8.5 years according to my data, though some claim it should be 6-7 years. This has been a deterrent for me for many years, until now.
Singapore's feed-in tariff system allows selling excess electricity back to the grid at around 70% of the prevailing electricity price. Depending on the weather, my solar panel system generates 2-3 times more electricity than I consume (including charging my vehicle), making me a net electricity seller.
(It is important to note that solar panels generate electricity solely during daylight hours, and the business case is only evaluated against the electricity consumed during this time. If the electricity costs during non-daylight hours were included, I estimate the payback would stretch to around 10 years. A complete solution where you no longer need to buy electricity from the grid requires further investment in batteries, which will delay your payback by several more years.)
Reflecting on My Journey
By implementing these actions, I can now claim to be living a ‘net zero’ life. However, this raises an important question: does my individual effort really impact the environment on a larger scale? In truth, the effect is negligible. In fact, the planet would be better off if I completely gave up my car and relied on public transportation.
However, my experience is, in a sense, a small-scale representation of the challenges encountered by industries and governments worldwide. How can countries realistically achieve net zero emissions by 2050? What are the most promising solutions to address the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar? How can we balance carbon removal from the atmosphere with the need to sustain economic growth and development? Are electric vehicles (EVs) the right solution for reducing transportation emissions, or are there better, more sustainable alternatives?
Progress ultimately depends on public and individual willingness to sacrifice for the climate and environment. Despite the prevailing uncertainty, many brilliant academics, dedicated public officials, and skilled professionals are tirelessly working on these issues at various levels. There is hope in the numerous promising innovations that are emerging, offering a path toward effective solutions for a sustainable future.
Just like the NASA janitor who proudly told President Kennedy, "I'm helping to put a man on the moon," our individual efforts, no matter how small, can contribute to the greater good. I hope this inspires you to take one more step forward towards net zero.
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