Sustainability glossary

The glossary for sustainability

The go-to resource of keywords and abbreviations to learn more about sustainability, carbon accounting, CSR and ESG management.

Carbon sink

A carbon sink is a system that absorbs a greater amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere than it emits.

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Carbon offsetting

Offsetting carbon is a strategy employed to compensate for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by an individual, organization, or event.

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Climate change mitigation

Climate change mitigation refers to the efforts and strategies implemented to reduce or prevent the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.

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Climate change adaptation

Climate change adaptation refers to the adjustments that societies or ecosystems make in response to or in anticipation of changes caused by climate change.

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CO2 Footprint

A CO2 footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are directly or indirectly produced by an individual, organization, event, or product throughout its lifecycle.

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Decarbonization

Decarbonization is the process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of an industry, sector, or the entire economy.

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ESG

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It is an acronym commonly used to refer to a set of criteria or factors that are used to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of an organization's operations.

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Environmental Management Systems

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a structured approach that organizations use to manage and minimize their environmental impact.

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EU Taxonomy Regulation

The EU Taxonomy Regulation is a regulatory framework introduced by the European Union (EU) to establish a classification system for sustainable economic activities.

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Greenhouse Gas Protocol

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a globally recognized and widely adopted emissions accounting framework developed.

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Greenwashing

Greenwashing refers to the practice of misleadingly portraying a company, product, or service as more environmentally friendly or sustainable than it actually is.

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Global Warming Potential

Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure used to compare the potential contribution of different greenhouse gases (GHGs) to global warming over a specific time period - usually 100 years.

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IPCC

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is a scientific body established in 1988 by the UN and WMO. It assesses and synthesizes scientific research on climate change, providing policymakers with comprehensive information.

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ISO 14064

ISO 14064 is a standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides guidelines for quantifying, monitoring, and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals.

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ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a systematic framework for organizations to effectively manage their environmental impact, improve environmental performance, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

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Net Zero Emissions

Net zero emissions refers to the state in which the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by human activities are balanced by removing an equivalent amount of GHGs from the atmosphere.

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Scope 1 emissions

Scope 1 emissions refer to direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that occur from sources owned or controlled by an organization.

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Scope 2 emissions

Scope 2 emissions refer to indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from the consumption of purchased or acquired electricity, heat, or steam by an organization.

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Scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions represent the indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur along an organization's value chain, encompassing activities outside of its direct control.

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SFDR

The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is a regulatory framework introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote sustainable finance and improve transparency in the financial industry.

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TCFD

The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is an initiative established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in 2015.

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TNFD

The TNFD is an emerging initiative that aims to develop a framework similar to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), but specifically focused on nature-related risks and opportunities.

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The Global Reporting Initiative

The Global Reporting Initiative is an independent international organization that has developed a widely used framework for sustainability reporting.

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The glossary for sustainability

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