The glossary for all organisations

Adjustments in systems to cope with climate change. Strategies focus on reducing the vulnerability of communities, ecosystems, and economies to impacts like rising sea levels, extreme weather, and shifting agricultural productivity.

An international platform that enables companies to measure, manage, and disclose their environmental impacts, particularly their carbon emissions, to stakeholders.

A market-based approach to controlling pollution that allows corporations or national governments to trade emissions allowances under an overall cap, or limit.

Guidelines and methodologies for calculating and reporting GHG emissions, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or ISO 14064.

Technology aiming to capture carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels during electricity generation and industrial processes, to prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Tradable certificates or permits that represent the right to emit one tonne of CO2 or the equivalent amount of another GHG.

A standard unit for measuring carbon footprints, representing the impact of different GHGs in terms of the amount of CO2 that would have the same global warming effect.

The total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organisation, event, or product.

The amount of GHG emissions per unit of output, often expressed as CO2e per unit of GDP, energy, or product.

The situation where, as a result of stringent climate policies in one country, businesses transfer production to other countries with laxer emission constraints, leading to an overall increase in global emissions.

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emitted carbon with an equivalent amount offset through actions like purchasing carbon credits or investing in renewable energy.

Compensating for your emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide elsewhere, such as renewable energy projects or reforestation.

The cost applied to carbon pollution to encourage polluters to reduce the amount of GHGs they emit. This can take the form of a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system.

Natural or artificial reservoirs that absorb more carbon than they emit, such as forests, oceans, or soil.

An economic model focused on designing out waste and keeping resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, recycling, and regeneration.

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of GHGs, including through energy efficiency, renewable energy, or carbon capture technologies.

A business model that helps companies be socially accountable to themselves, their stakeholders, and the public, including taking action on carbon emissions.

An EU directive that mandates companies to identify and address human rights and environmental impacts in their operations and supply chains.

A coefficient that quantifies the emissions or removals of a GHG per unit of activity, such as per tonne of product produced or per unit of energy consumed.

A legally binding target set by governments or organisations to reduce GHG emissions by a certain percentage over a specified timeframe.

A software tool or platform that automates the calculation and reporting of a company’s greenhouse gas emissions across various scopes and activities.

The emission rate of a given pollutant relative to the intensity of a specific activity, or an industrial production process.

The goal of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

UK regulations governing how companies can advertise their green credentials, ensuring that environmental claims are accurate and substantiated.

Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

The leading international tool for understanding, quantifying, and managing greenhouse gas emissions. It offers guidance for measuring and managing emissions across operations, value chains, products, and policies.

A deceptive practice where a company exaggerates or falsifies its environmental achievements or commitment to sustainability.

A comprehensive method to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, service, or process from cradle to grave, helping you understand and reduce your footprint.

Actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, thereby mitigating climate change. Mitigation strategies include transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, afforestation, and implementing policies to limit emissions.

A state where your organisation’s total greenhouse gas emissions are fully balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere, leaving no net impact on the climate.

When the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is no greater than the amount taken out. This is a state of balance between emissions and removals.

A global treaty adopted in 2015 under the UNFCCC, aiming to limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C. It sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promotes international cooperation on climate change.

The total greenhouse gas emissions generated during a product’s lifecycle—from raw material extraction through to disposal. PCF gives you a clear view of a product’s environmental impact.

Energy derived from naturally replenished resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to climate change, renewable energy sources are sustainable and have lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that prove 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource.

A global collaboration helping companies set emission reduction targets in line with keeping global warming well below 2°C, as per the Paris Agreement. Partners include CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI, and WWF.

Emission reduction targets that are in line with the level of decarbonisation required to keep global temperature increase below 2°C compared to pre-industrial temperatures.

Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources that your organisation owns or controls, such as emissions from company vehicles or onsite fuel combustion.

Indirect GHG emissions from the energy you purchase and use, like electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. Although not produced onsite, they’re part of your carbon footprint.

All other indirect emissions that occur in your value chain, including both upstream and downstream activities like product transportation, waste disposal, and employee travel.

The process of disclosing a company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance to stakeholders, highlighting sustainability efforts.