Sustainability Terms

Front

Carbon neutral / neutrality

Back

A balance between the amount of carbon emissions an organisation puts into the atmosphere with the amount it takes away often from purchasing carbon offsets outside the organisation. This doesn’t reduce emissions in the organisation.

Front

Net zero

Back

Defined by the Science Based Targets Initiative, a balance between the amount of carbon emissions an organisation puts into the atmosphere with the amount it takes away, including 90% reduction in the organisation’s emissions, near and long-term goals, and externally verified.

Front

Carbon offset

Back

Used by an organisation to compensate for what they are emitting and decrease their net emissions through the purchase of a carbon credit or investment in tree planting, renewable energy, research and development, agricultural and land management, which are completed outside the organisation.

Front

Carbon inset

Back

Used by the organisation to compensate for what they are emitting through a strategy to reduce emissions and sequester carbon through investment within the organisation’s own supply chain such as electrifying infrastructure, efficiency measures, adopting renewable energy.

Front

Carbon footprint

Back

The measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community measured in tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent or CO2e.

Front

Carbon action plan

Back

A strategic framework or roadmap outlining an organisation's commitment to reduce and ultimately eliminate their carbon footprint through specific actions, targets, and timelines in line with broader climate goals like net-zero.

Front

Greenwashing

Back

Describes false or misleading environmental claims that makes an organisation, product or service appear more environmentally beneficial than it really is. This includes statistical information, visuals and design in packaging, advertising and marketing.