Glossary

If you’re searching for a sustainability term or trying to make sense of the language around climate, conservation and responsible practices, you’re in the right place. Our glossary brings together clear, accessible definitions to help you navigate the world of sustainability with confidence. Dive in below and explore the concepts that shape a greener future.

 

A

Adaptation – Adjusting systems and operations to cope with climate impacts. 

  

Additionality – Ensuring a carbon offset project delivers emissions reductions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. 

  

Air Quality – The condition of the air based on pollutant levels. 

  

Audit (Sustainability Audit) – A structured review of environmental and social performance. 

  

B 

B Corp – A certification for businesses meeting high social, environmental standards and are committed to using business as a force for good. 

  

Biodiversity – The variety of life in ecosystems. 

  

Biodegradable – Materials that break down naturally through microorganisms. 

  

Biofuel – Fuel made from plant or organic material. 

  

C 

Carbon Footprint – Total greenhouse gas emissions from an activity or organisation. 

  

Carbon Neutral – Balancing emissions with equivalent removals. 

  

Circular Economy – A system that eliminates waste through reuse, repair, and recycling. 

  

Climate Action – Steps taken to reduce or prevent climate change. 

  

Composting – Breaking down organic waste into nutrient‑rich material. 

  

D 

Decarbonisation – Reducing carbon emissions across operations and supply chains. 

  

Deforestation – Clearing forests for other land uses. 

  

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Creating fair and inclusive workplaces. 

  

Due Diligence (Sustainability) – Assessing environmental and social risks in business decisions. 

  

E 

Eco‑Design – Designing products or services to minimise environmental impact. 

  

Ecolabel – A certification indicating strong environmental performance. 

  

Emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3) – Categories of greenhouse gas emissions often referred to as carbon emissions.  

  

ESG – Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria for business performance. 

  

F 

Fair Trade – A global movement dedicated to ensuring producers receive fair compensation. 

  

Fossil Fuels – Coal, oil, and gas formed from ancient organic matter. 

  

Footprint (Environmental) – The total impact of an organisation on the planet. 

  

G 

GHG (Greenhouse Gases) – Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. 

  

Green Procurement – Buying goods and services with low environmental impact. 

  

Greenwashing – Misleading sustainability claims. 

  

H 

Habitat Loss – Destruction of natural environments. 

  

Hazardous Waste – Waste that poses risks to health or the environment. 

  

Human Rights Due Diligence – Ensuring business activities respect human rights. 

  

I 

Impact Assessment – Evaluating environmental or social effects of a project. 

  

Inclusive Growth – Economic growth that benefits all members of society. 

  

ISO 14001 – An international standard for environmental management systems. 

  

J 

Just Transition – Ensuring the shift to a low‑carbon economy is fair for workers and communities. 

  

Jargon (Sustainability Jargon) – Technical terms that can confuse non‑experts. 

  

K 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – Metrics used to track sustainability progress. 

  

Kilowatt‑Hour (kWh) – A unit of energy used to measure electricity consumption. 

  

L 

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – Evaluating environmental impacts from creation to disposal. 

  

Living Wage – A wage that meets basic living costs. 

  

Low‑Carbon Economy – An economy based on renewable energy and reduced emissions. 

  

M 

Materiality – Identifying which sustainability issues matter most to stakeholders. 

  

Mitigation – Actions to reduce climate change impacts. 

  

Microplastics particles – (>5mm) particles, forming pervasive pollutants that are harmful to ecosystems. 

  

N 

Net Zero – Reducing emissions and balancing the remainder with removals. 

  

Natural Capital – The value of the world’s natural resources and ecosystems. 

  

Nature‑Based Solutions – Using natural systems to address environmental challenges. 

  

O 

Offsetting – Funding projects that reduce emissions to compensate for your own. 

  

Organic Waste – Biodegradable waste from food or plants. 

  

P 

Paris Agreement – A global treaty to combat climate change by limiting warming to 1.5°C. 

  

Pollution Prevention – Reducing waste and emissions at the source. 

  

Procurement Policy – Guidelines for responsible purchasing. 

  

Q 

Quality of Life – Social and environmental factors that support wellbeing. 

  

Quantification (Emissions) – Measuring greenhouse gas emissions accurately. 

  

R 

Renewable Energy – Energy from naturally replenishing sources. 

  

Rewilding – Restoring natural ecosystems. 

  

S 

Sustainable Business – An organisation that operates in a way that meets present needs while safeguarding environmental, social, and economic resources for the future. 

 

Sustainable Development – Meeting today’s needs without harming future generations. 

  

Sustainable Supply Chain – Ensuring suppliers meet environmental and ethical standards. 

  

Sustainability Reporting – Sharing progress on environmental and social goals. 

  

Social Sustainability – Supporting fair and equitable conditions for people. 

  

T 

Transparency – Openly sharing sustainability data and decisions. 

  

Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet, Profit as measures of success. 

  

U 

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 17 global goals for a sustainable future. 

  

Upcycling – Turning waste materials into higher‑value products. 

  

V 

Value Chain – All activities involved in delivering a product or service. 

  

Voluntary Carbon Market – Where organisations buy carbon credits voluntarily.

  

W 

Waste Diversion – Redirecting waste away from landfill. 

  

Water Stewardship – Managing water responsibly. 

  

Wellbeing Economy – An economy focused on human and ecological wellbeing. 

  

X 

Xeriscaping – Landscaping that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. 

  

X‑Efficiency – Improving efficiency by reducing waste in operations. 

  

Y 

Yield (Sustainable Agriculture) – The amount of crop produced using sustainable methods. 

  

Youth Engagement – Involving young people in sustainability initiatives. 

  

Z 

Zero Carbon – Producing no carbon emissions at all. 

  

Zero Waste – Designing systems to eliminate waste entirely. 

  

Zoonotic Risk – The risk of diseases transferring from animals to humans due to ecosystem disruption.