Adaptation
Adjustments made to natural or human systems in response to climate change to minimize negative impacts and take advantage of opportunities.
Biodegradable packaging
Packaging materials that can be broken down by natural processes and decompose into harmless substances.
Biodiversity preservation
Protection and conservation of a wide variety of plant and animal species and their habitats.
Biofuel
Fuel derived from organic materials, such as plants or animal waste, that can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels in transportation or energy production.
Carbon budget
The maximum amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that can be released into the atmosphere over a specified period while still limiting global warming to a target level, typically expressed in terms of CO2 emissions or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Carbon credit
A tradable certificate representing the right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) or its equivalent, typically used as a financial incentive to encourage emission reduction or offsetting activities.
Carbon emissions
The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Scope 1
Greenhouse gas emissions directly emitted from sources that are owned or controlled by an organization, such as emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and on-site industrial processes.
Scope 2
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the generation of electricity, heat, or steam purchased or consumed by an organization, typically from external sources such as utility providers.
Scope 3
Indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur throughout an organization’s value chain, including emissions from purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, upstream and downstream transportation, and waste disposal.
Carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases, typically expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product, or activity over a specified time period, usually measured in metric tons of CO2e.
Carbon footprint reduction
Efforts to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of human activities.
Carbon inset (Insetting)
The practice of investing in emission reduction or offsetting projects within an organisation’s own supply chain or operations to achieve carbon neutrality or reduce its carbon footprint.
Carbon intensity
The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced per unit of economic output, typically measured in metric tons of CO2 per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) or energy consumed.
Carbon neutral
Referring to a state in which the net carbon emissions associated with an entity’s activities are neutralized, meaning that the entity’s total carbon emissions are offset by an equivalent amount of carbon removal or offsetting activities.
Carbon neutrality
Achieving a balance between carbon emissions and carbon removal or offsetting activities.
Carbon offset (Offsetting)
The process of compensating for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by investing in projects or activities that reduce or capture an equivalent amount of CO2 elsewhere, typically through renewable energy projects, reforestation efforts, or carbon sequestration initiatives.
Carbon offset programs
Initiatives that compensate for carbon emissions by investing in projects that reduce or capture carbon elsewhere.
Carbon reduction plan
A strategic plan or set of actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, typically developed by organizations or governments to meet emission reduction targets and combat climate change.
Circular economy
An economic system that aims to minimize waste and maximize the reuse, recycling, and regeneration of products and materials.
Climate action
Measures taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience.
Climate change
Long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events, often attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Climate emergency
A situation in which rapid and severe climate change poses a significant threat to human societies, ecosystems, and the planet’s overall stability, requiring urgent and decisive action to mitigate its impacts and adapt to its consequences.
Closed-loop systems
Systems designed to minimize waste by recycling materials and resources within a continuous loop.
Community engagement
Involvement of local communities in decision-making processes and initiatives to promote social cohesion and sustainable development.
Composting
The process of decomposing organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
Conservation
The protection, preservation, and management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Conservation biology
The scientific study of the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, often focusing on endangered species and threatened habitats.
Conservation easement
A legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that restricts certain uses of the land to protect its conservation values.
Conservation partnerships
Collaborative efforts with organizations or communities to protect and preserve natural resources.
Coral reef bleaching
A phenomenon in which coral reefs lose their vibrant colors due to stressors such as high temperatures, pollution, and ocean acidification, often leading to coral death.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
The commitment of businesses to contribute to sustainable development by considering the environmental and social impacts of their operations.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests for agriculture, urban development, or logging, leading to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and carbon emissions.
Desertification
The process by which fertile land becomes desert due to deforestation, overgrazing, and other factors, often exacerbated by climate change.
Drought
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, resulting in water shortages and adverse impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and communities.
Eco-conscious guest experiences
Providing guests with sustainable amenities, activities, and services during their stay.
Eco-friendly
Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment.
Eco-friendly cleaning products
Cleaning products made from environmentally friendly ingredients that minimize harm to ecosystems and human health.
Eco-labeling
Certifications or labels indicating that a product or service meets certain environmental standards or criteria.
Ecological footprint
The impact of human activities on the environment, measured in terms of land and resources required to support those activities.
Ecosystem services
The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air and water, soil fertility, pollination, and climate regulation.
Ecotourism
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people, and involves interpretation and education.
Endangered species
Species that are at risk of extinction due to declining populations, habitat loss, pollution, or other threats.
Energy audit
A systematic evaluation of energy use and efficiency in a building, facility, or process to identify opportunities for improvement.
Energy efficiency
Using less energy to perform the same tasks, often through technological advancements or behavioral changes.
Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS)
A mandatory energy assessment and reporting scheme in the United Kingdom, requiring large businesses and organizations to conduct energy audits and identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient appliances
Appliances designed to consume less energy while providing the same level of performance.
Energy-saving technologies
Technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency.
Environmental education programs
Initiatives that raise awareness and promote understanding of environmental issues and solutions.
Environmental policy
Formal statements or guidelines outlining an organisation’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible practices.
Ethical sourcing
Procurement of goods and services that considers the social, environmental, and ethical implications of production.
Fair trade
Ethical trading practices that ensure fair prices and treatment for producers in developing countries.
Farm-to-table
Direct sourcing of food from local farms to restaurants, minimizing the distance food travels and supporting local economies.
Food miles
The distance food travels from production to consumption, often used as a measure of the environmental impact of food transportation.
Fossil Fuels
Non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, oil, and natural gas, which release carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases when burned for energy.
Global warming
The increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Green building
A building that is designed, constructed, and operated to minimize environmental impact and resource consumption while maximizing occupant health and comfort.
Green certifications
(LEED, Green Globe, Earth Check etc.)
Third-party certifications recognising buildings or businesses for their sustainable practices and environmental performance.
Green infrastructure
Natural or engineered systems that provide ecological benefits, such as stormwater management, habitat restoration, and carbon sequestration.
Green initiatives
Programs or projects aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Green meetings
Organising corporate events with a focus on sustainability, including eco-friendly venues, materials, and practices.
Green purchasing
Procurement of products and services that have a reduced environmental impact.
Greenhouse effect
The natural process by which certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap heat from the Sun, preventing it from escaping back into space and thus warming the planet’s surface.
Greenhouse gas (GHG)
A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing and emitting infrared radiation, thereby trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases.
Greenwashing
The practice of misleading consumers into believing that a product or company is environmentally friendly when it is not.
Guarantees of origin
Certificates issued to renewable energy producers in the European Union, verifying the origin and environmental attributes of the energy they generate, typically used to demonstrate compliance with renewable energy targets or certification schemes.
Habitat restoration
The process of returning a degraded or damaged ecosystem to its original state or improving its ecological function.
Invasive species
Non-native species that disrupt ecosystems, outcompete native species, and cause ecological and economic harm.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
A method for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to disposal.
Locally sourced
Products grown or sourced from nearby locations to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation.
Low-carbon operations
Activities designed to minimize carbon emissions and energy consumption.
Marine conservation
Efforts to protect and preserve marine ecosystems, species, and resources from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
Methane
A potent greenhouse gas produced by natural processes and human activities, including livestock digestion, rice cultivation, landfills, and fossil fuel extraction, with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a shorter time horizon.
Mitigation
Actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to limit the magnitude of climate change.
Net Zero
Achieving a balance between the total greenhouse gas emissions produced and the total emissions removed or offset from the atmosphere, resulting in zero net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other greenhouse gases.
Non-renewable resources
Natural resources that cannot be replaced once depleted, such as fossil fuels.
Ocean acidification
The ongoing decrease in pH levels of the Earth’s oceans due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with adverse impacts on marine life and ecosystems.
Organic
Products grown or produced without synthetic chemicals.
Permaculture
A design system that mimics natural ecosystems to create sustainable and self-sufficient environments.
Rainwater harvesting
Collecting and storing rainwater for later use, such as irrigation or toilet flushing.
Recycling program
Systematic collection and processing of materials to be reused or transformed into new products.
Reforestation
The replanting of trees in deforested or degraded areas to restore forest cover and ecosystem services.
Renewable energy
Sources of energy that are replenished naturally and can be used indefinitely, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Renewable resources
Natural resources that can be replenished over time, such as sunlight, wind, and water.
Resilience
The ability of a system or community to withstand and recover from environmental, social, and economic shocks and stresses.
Restoration ecology
The scientific discipline that studies the principles and practices of restoring degraded or damaged ecosystems to their original state or a desired condition.
SECR regulations
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations in the United Kingdom, requiring large businesses and organizations to disclose their energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy efficiency measures in their annual reports.
Social equity
Fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and opportunities, ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs and rights.
Stakeholder engagement
Involving various stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and local communities, in decision-making processes and initiatives.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability reporting
The process of disclosing an organisation’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and impacts to stakeholders.
Sustainability training
Providing education and training to staff on sustainable practices and initiatives.
Sustainable agriculture
Farming practices that promote the long-term health and productivity of the land while minimizing environmental impacts.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations to address social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Sustainable fisheries
Fishing practices that maintain or restore fish populations and ecosystem health while supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities.
Sustainable procurement
The practice of integrating environmental, social, and ethical considerations into the purchasing decisions and supply chain management processes of organisations to promote sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Sustainable supply chain
Managing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to consumers in a manner that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes social and economic benefits.
Sustainable tourism
Tourism that minimizes negative environmental, social, and cultural impacts while maximizing benefits for local communities.
Sustainable transport
Modes of transportation that minimize environmental impact, such as walking, cycling, public transit, and electric vehicles.
Triple bottom line
A framework that evaluates an organization’s performance based on its social, environmental, and financial impacts.
Waste management
Processes for handling, disposing of, and reducing waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
Water conservation
Measures taken to reduce water usage and waste.
Water footprint
The total volume of freshwater used directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product, including water consumed, polluted, or evaporated.
Water scarcity
A situation in which demand for water exceeds the available supply, leading to competition and conflict over water resources.
Wildlife conservation
Efforts to protect and preserve wild animals and their habitats.
Wildlife corridor
A strip of habitat connecting fragmented landscapes, allowing wildlife to move between areas and maintain genetic diversity.
Wildlife trafficking
Illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, posing a significant threat to biodiversity and contributing to species decline and extinction.
Zero Carbon Energy
Energy sources that produce little to no net greenhouse gas emissions when used, such as renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, as well as nuclear energy with proper waste management and safety measures in place.
Zero waste
Aims to minimize waste generation and maximize recycling and reuse to divert waste from landfills.
