decarbonize

American  

[dee-kahr-buh-nahyz] / diˈkɑr bəˌnaɪz /

especially British, decarbonise

verb (used with object)

decarbonized, decarbonizing

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.

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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 British  

/ diːˈkɑːbəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. Also: decoke.   decarburize.  (tr) to remove carbon from (the walls of the combustion chamber of an internal-combustion engine)

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Other Word Forms

• decarbonization noun
• decarbonizer noun

Etymology

Origin of decarbonize

First recorded in 1815–25; de- + carbonize

Example Sentences

It penalizes exporters that lack the technological and financial capacity to decarbonize at the pace required by the Europeans.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

In most cases, a PPA adds renewable energy to the grid at large, helping to decarbonize a country’s energy system overall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Vehicles fueled by diesel lead to substantial carbon emissions that are challenging to decarbonize.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2024

More climate-ambitious states are already layering on their own monetary incentives to decarbonize.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2024

They do not find sufficient oxygen to purify or decarbonize their blood through the night; they consequently are not refreshed, nor invigorated and fully prepared for the labors of the following day.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 60, October, 1862 by Various