This glossary has been developed as one of the main obstacles to taking sustainable action as a freelancer or organisation identified by the steering group was the language barrier. Sustainability has only entered mainstream thinking in western societies in the last 20 years. For most people it is a relatively new concept and as it is continuously evolving there is a lot of new terminology to familiarise ourselves with.
The glossary contains simple explanations of all sustainability terms used throughout the Toolkit in alphabetical order:
A
Afforestation is the establishment of a forest where there has been until recently no tree cover.
B
B-Corp is a globally recognised certification by B-Lab which is issued to companies who meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. To find more information on B-Corp certification in Ireland, click here.
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth across all levels, including the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems. It is all the differences in plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms and how they interact within ecosystems.
Biodiversity Action Plan is usually created by an ecologist and shows how to manage biodiversity in a specific place e.g. a bog or a farm in order to conserve nature.
Biomass is organic material from plants, animals, and waste that can be used as a renewable energy source through combustion or conversion into biofuels.
C
Capitalism is an economic system where trade, industry and the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit, often with detrimental effects to social values and the environment.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas produced by natural processes like respiration and human activities e.g. burning fossil fuels which contributes to global warming.
Carbon Neutral means the amount of carbon an individual / organisation / region is emitting is balanced out by the amount of carbon absorbed from the atmosphere through carbon offsetting or reduction measures.
Carbon Offsetting allows individuals/organisations/governments to compensate for the carbon emissions they are responsible for by investing in projects that reduce or remove emissions elsewhere, most often through purchasing carbon credits.
Carbon Tax is a tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels to encourage lower emissions and promote cleaner energy sources.
Carbon Zero means that no carbon emissions are being produced from a product or service e.g. energy sources like wind and solar do not create carbon emissions when they are used to produce electricity, and so they are referred to as zero-carbon.
Circular economy is an economic system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. Products and materials are kept in use through regular maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and composting. (https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview)
Citizen science is research conducted by volunteers often in collaboration with scientists to advance scientific knowledge e.g. bird counting and reporting to Birdwatch Ireland.
Climate action refers to strategies, policies and initiatives aimed at reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, transitioning to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting sustainable practices to combat climate change.
Climate Action Plan is a framework adopted by governments or organisations to combat climate change by setting emissions reductions targets and sustainability goals.
Climate Change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Since the 1800s human activities have been the main driver of climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, gas and peat.
Climate Change Adaptation means adjusting the ways we live and work to minimise harm and adapt to the impacts of climate change e.g. through modelling design appropriate infrastructure to withstand flooding effects and sea-level rise over the next 100 to 200 years.
Climate Change Mitigation encapsulates the efforts made to reduce or prevent Greenhouse Gas Emissions, often through renewable energy and conserving natural landscapes.
Climate Crisis is a term describing the urgent need to address the severe consequences of climate change, including extreme weather and biodiversity loss.
Climate Breakdown is the destabilization of earths climate systems due to human activities, resulting in unpredictable and extreme weather patterns and mass-extinction of plants and animal life.
Climate Emergency Declaration is an action taken by governments, scientists, and organisations to acknowledge that humanity is in a climate crisis.
Climate Justice calls for the fair treatment of all people in climate policies and actions, ensuring that marginalized communities are not disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.
Climate Migration is the movement of people due to climate change impacts like rising sea levels, pollution, extreme weather, or resource scarcity.
Climate Policy is a government´s or organisation´s guidelines and regulations to address climate change including mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Creative Climate Action is where artists, creative practitioners, or arts organisations meaningfully connect people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change, and can transform that connection into behaviour change or climate action.
D
Data centres are secure facilities that house computer systems and servers to store data as part of the digital infrastructure used in the modern world.
Decarbonisation refers to a process of reducing carbon emissions associated with human activities, particularly by transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Digital Access means ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to the internet, devices, and digital tools necessary to participate fully in society, education, and the economy.
Digital Energy encompasses the technologies and systems that use digital tools, like sensors and analytics, to optimize the generation, distribution, and use of energy.
E
Ecosystem is a dynamic community of living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) interacting with each other and the air, water and soil as a functional unit.
Ecosystem Services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. They are most often grouped into four categories: provisioning services e.g. material goods like food; regulating services e.g. air purification; cultural services e.g. recreation and spirituality; and supporting services e.g. soil formation
Electric vehicle (EV) is a mode of transport powered entirely or partially by electricity stored in batteries, rather than conventional gasoline or diesel.
Energy Efficiency means using less energy to perform the same task, reducing energy waste.
Energy Transition refers to the global shift from fossil-based energy systems to renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change
Energy Recovery is the process of capturing and reusing energy that would otherwise be wasted, such as heat or kinetic energy from industrial processes, to improve overall energy efficiency
Environmental Policy comprises regulations and strategies developed by governments and organizations to manage human impact on the environment, protect ecosystems, and ensure sustainable use of natural resources
Environmental Footprint measures the impact of human activities on the environment, including carbon emissions, water usage, and waste generation.
Emissions refer to the release of substances, particularly greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane, into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and air pollution.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is a government agency responsible for creating and enforcing regulations to protect the environment and public health by addressing issues like pollution, waste management, and climate change
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) refers to criteria used to assess a company’s commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance practices, guiding investments and corporate accountability.
Equity means ensuring fair treatment, opportunities, and outcomes for all individuals, particularly marginalized groups, by addressing systemic inequalities and barriers.
EU Directive is a legislative act of the European Union that sets out goals member states must achieve, but leaves national governments the freedom to decide how to implement them.
F
Final Energy Consumption refers to the total energy used by end users such as households, industries, and services for heating, cooling, electricity, and transportation.
G
Global North typically refers to economically developed countries, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia, often characterized by higher industrialization and living standards. However it also includes Australia and New Zealand, see map for clarification (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Global-North-and-Global-South)
Global South encompasses less economically developed countries, primarily in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia, often facing challenges such as poverty and limited infrastructure.
Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where companies or organizations exaggerate or falsely claim environmental benefits of their products, policies, or practices to appear more eco-friendly than they are.
Global Heating is the increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases. It emphasizes the urgency and effects of the warming process.
Global Warming is the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and natural climate variability.
Greenhous Gases (GHGs) are atmospheric gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), that trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to climate change.
I
Industrial agriculture is a system of large-scale farming that relies on intensive practices, including mechanization, monoculture, and synthetic inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, aimed at maximizing production.
Inequalities are the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society, often influenced by factors such as race, gender, income, or geography.
Intersectional refers to the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
IPCC – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, its impacts and potential strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
J
Just Transition aims to shift towards a low-carbon economy while ensuring fairness, equity, and support for workers and communities affected by this change.
L
Leaching of synthetic textiles is the release of microfibers or chemical residues from synthetic textiles into water systems during washing or disposal, contributing to pollution.
M
Marginalized People are groups or individuals excluded from mainstream social, economic, or political life due to systemic discrimination or disadvantage.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (less than 5mm in size) that result from the breakdown of larger plastics or are manufactured for use in products. They pose significant environmental and health risks.
Nature Conservation involves protecting, managing, and restoring natural ecosystems, habitats, and species to ensure biodiversity and ecosystem services.
N
Nature Restoration focuses on reviving degraded or damaged ecosystems to their original conditions or a sustainable state, often involving reforestation, soil recovery, and wetland protection.
Net zero means that any carbon emissions created are balanced or cancelled out by taking the same amount out of the atmosphere. Net zero is reached when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere equals the amount that is removed through the restoration of wetlands, forests, transition to renewable energies and carbon capture technologies.
Nutrient Runoff is where excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers or manure, are washed off agricultural land into nearby water bodies. It can lead to environmental issues like algal blooms, oxygen-depleted “dead zones,” and water pollution.
O
Ozone Layer is a protective layer in Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ozone layer is damaged by hydrofluorocarbons commonly found in spray cans such as deodorant and refrigerator gases.
P
Particulate Emissions are tiny particles or droplets released into the atmosphere from sources like vehicles, industrial processes, or natural events (e.g., wildfires). These can contribute to air pollution and pose health risks when inhaled.
Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or control pests, including insects, weeds, and fungi to maximise productivity of land/agriculture. However, they also harm non-target species and ecosystems, damaging the soil microbiome and in turn our gut health.
Potable Water is water that is safe for human consumption without posing health risks. It must meet specific safety and quality standards.
R
Resource Extractive describes industries or practices that involve the removal of natural resources, such as mining, logging, and drilling, often with environmental and social impacts.
Regeneration is a restorative process that focuses on reviving ecosystems, restoring degraded lands, or reestablishing biodiversity and ecological health
Rewilding is a conservation strategy aimed at reintroducing species and restoring natural processes to an ecosystem, allowing it to regain its original balance and biodiversity.
S
Sea Level Rise is the increase in global sea levels due to melting ice caps, glaciers, and the expansion of seawater as it warms. The effects of sea level rise are flooding, erosion, and habitat loss.
Social Justice is the principle of fairness in society, focusing on equal access to opportunities, resources, and rights for all individuals, especially marginalized or disadvantaged groups.
Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to address issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation by 2030.
T
Terrajoules are a unit of measurement for energy consumption. A terrajoule (TJ) is made of one trillion joules.
W
Waste Management is composed of processes and practices for handling waste, including collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal, to minimize environmental and health impacts.
Wastewater Discharges are the release of used or contaminated water from households, industries, or agricultural activities into the environment, which often requires treatment to prevent pollution.
Wildlife refers to animals, birds, plants, and other organisms living in their natural habitats without direct human intervention.
Worldview is the fundamental perspective through which an individual or group interprets the world, often shaped by culture, beliefs, and experiences
Z
Zero Waste is a philosophy or strategy that aims to minimize waste generation by redesigning products, encouraging reuse and recycling, and shifting towards a circular economy.