Our Glossary of Sustainability Terms
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Carbon budget
A Carbon Budget is the maximum amount of greenhouse gases (CO2e) that can be released into the atmosphere whilst limiting…
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Carbon footprint
The term ‘carbon footprint’ refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere as a…
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Carbon intensity
Carbon intensity is the amount of carbon (in the form of CO2 emissions) that is emitted per unit of energy…
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Carbon reduction
Carbon reduction refers to strategies and actions taken to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced…
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Cradle to gate
Cradle-to-gate refers to the assessment of a product’s environmental impact from the extraction of raw materials (the ‘cradle’) to its…
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Cradle to grave
Cradle to Grave is a key principle of sustainability when considering the entire lifecycle of a product, from its creation…
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Global warming
Global warming refers to the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system.
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Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are crucial in shaping our planet’s climate. Their effects are pervasive and complex, impacting ecosystems and human…
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Greenhushing
Greenhushing, is where businesses understate or deliberately keep quiet about their environmental efforts.
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Greenwashing
Greenwashing refers to the practice of companies misleading consumers about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or how the…
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Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an international body that provides analysis of scientific information about climate change.
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Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997.
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Offsetting
Offsetting is a method used by businesses and individuals to compensate for their carbon emissions by funding an equivalent carbon…
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Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international accord that was adopted by nearly every nation in 2015 to address climate…
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Scope 1 emissions
Scope 1 emissions refer to all direct emissions from the activities of an organisation or under its control.
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Scope 2 emissions
Scope 2 emissions refer to the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere due to the generation of electricity, heating and…
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Scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 emissions refer to all indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
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Waste electrical & electronic equipment (WEEE) directive
The WEEE directive is European legislation aiming to reduce the amount of waste from electrical and electronic equipment.
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Wind power
Wind power uses air flow through wind turbines to mechanically power generators for electricity.



















