Any changes to help manage both the current impacts of climate change and the predicted impacts in the future.
The decline in the number and variety of species on Earth. Climate change is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss.
CCS is the process of capturing and storing carbon emissions from industrial processes, such as burning fossil fuels, before it is released into the atmosphere. Carbon emissions are captured, transported and stored in a safe storage location.
The long term shifts in the planet’s temperatures and weather patterns.
A circular is one which focuses on continuously using products and materials. Through designing and manufacturing as well as refurbishing, remanufacturing, leasing and providing products and materials as a service, businesses maintain and maximise their value.
Carbon dioxide which is released into the atmosphere from natural sources, such as decomposing organic matter, and human related activity such as burning fossil fuels for electricity and heat generation.
The total amount of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere as a result of an event, an individual or company’s activities.
Carbon neutral means that the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is balanced, equal to, by the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere.
The action or process that compensates the carbon emissions that are generated elsewhere by an organisation or individual. Organisations can offset their carbon emissions by supporting certified carbon reduction projects, such as land restoration projects, renewable energy projects and energy efficiency projects.
It is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It occurs both naturally and as a result of anthropogenic activity.
Anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases. For example plants, soil and the ocean.
The process of reducing or removing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere through the use of low carbon power sources, such as renewable energy sources.
Refers to all the total carbon emissions emitted in producing materials. It is estimated from the energy used to extract and transport the raw materials as well as the manufacturing processes.
An emission factor is a representative value that gives the relationship between the amount of a pollutant produced and the amount of raw material processed or burnt.
An initial level of greenhouse gas emissions for a company against which all future greenhouse gas inventories are compared. For example, it refers to the level of greenhouse gas emissions which were produced prior to the introduction of emissions reductions strategies.
It refers to the shift of the global energy sector from fossil fuel based energy production and consumption to renewable energy sources.
Environmental, Social and Governance, three factors used to evaluate companies and countries on how far advanced they are with sustainability.
Hydrogen that is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources.
Established in 1988 by the UN Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organisation. It is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change and provides governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies.
A state in which there is overall balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere (through human activities) and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions removed from the atmosphere.
Refers to all the total amount of carbon emitted from the ongoing operation of the building. Sources of emissions include lighting, heating, power.
Energy which is generated from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished, such as wind, tidal and solar power.
Science based targets are greenhouse gas reduction targets set by businesses which provide a clear, defined pathway for companies to reduce their emissions.
Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions created from activities owned or controlled by an organisation. For example emissions associated with fuel combustion in boilers, vehicles.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the purchase of electricity, steam, heat or cooling.
Scope 3 emissions are all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions.
The Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 agreed goals and were adopted by the UN in 2015. The aim of the SDGs is to guide development to ensure there is a balance between social, economic and environmental sustainability.
