The Bathtub Analogy: The Importance of Carbon Reductions & Removals

The buildup of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere is like a bath filling up and overflowing with water. Avoiding and reducing emissions is like turning the tap to reduce the flow into the bath. But we also need to remove emissions that are already in the atmosphere – the equivalent of pulling the plug.

Featured by:

Content up-to-date at time of publication

Climate Change Voluntary Carbon Market

VIDEO CONTENT BY

Karen Norton has a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the metals industry. She dedicated 11 years as an analyst at the globally acclaimed

The Carbonwise editorial team is formed of seasoned established industry writers and specialist journalists.

LATEST VIDEOS

Refers to the period – usually a calendar year – in which an emissions reduction, avoidance or removal takes place. Carbon credits are often listed

VER

Voluntary Emission Reductions or Verified Emission Reductions. A general term used to describe project-based carbon credits.
The iron and steel industry faces a significant challenge: how to continue producing the steel needed for infrastructure and economic growth while cutting carbon emissions.

24 September 2026

GLOSSARY
Vintage

Refers to the period – usually a calendar year – in which an emissions reduction, avoidance or removal takes place. Carbon credits are often listed as being of a particular vintage.

24 September 2026

GLOSSARY
VER

Voluntary Emission Reductions or Verified Emission Reductions. A general term used to describe project-based carbon credits.

9 September 2025

ARTICLE
What Does California’s Cap-and-Invest Program Mean for the Steel Sector?

The iron and steel industry faces a significant challenge: how to continue producing the steel needed for infrastructure and economic growth while cutting carbon emissions.

Work with us

Partner with the Carbonwise team to produce innovative educational content on Carbon Markets

Work with us

Partner with the Carbonwise team to produce innovative educational content on Carbon Markets.

Sign up to our monthly newsletter for the latest content releases, events, training offers & more!​

Join the Carbonwise community