Adaptation
Adjustments in natural or human systems to moderate or avoid harm from climate change.
Biodiversity
The variety of life on Earth at all levels, including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity.
Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)
A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from burning fossil fuels and stores it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Techniques or technologies designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, typically expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Carbon Intensity
The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of economic activity or product.
Carbon Neutral
Achieving a net zero carbon footprint by balancing the amount of emitted carbon dioxide with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset.
Carbon Offsetting
The process of compensating for carbon dioxide emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove emissions elsewhere.
Carbon Pricing
A policy approach that puts a price on carbon emissions to encourage reductions and incentivise cleaner technologies.
Carbon Sequestration
The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate or defer global warming and climate change.
Circular Economy
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources by designing products that can be reused, repaired, or recycled.
Climate
The general long-term weather over a long period of time, typically averaged over 30 years.
Climate Action
Concrete steps and measures taken to address climate change, such as policy changes, technological innovations, and lifestyle adjustments.
Climate Action Plan
A strategic plan outlining steps and goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change impacts at local, regional, or national levels.
Climate Change
Long-term alteration in Earth’s climate and weather patterns.
Climate Emergency
A declaration by governments or organisations acknowledging the urgency and severity of climate change and committing to rapid and bold actions to address it.
Climate Justice
The fair treatment and involvement of all people, especially marginalised communities, in addressing climate change and its impacts.
Climate Mitigation Finance
Financial mechanisms and investments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting climate-resilient development.
Climate Resiliance
The ability of communities and systems to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related hazards.
COP (Conference of the Parties)
An annual gathering of countries to discuss and negotiate global efforts to address climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
COP 26
The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow in 2021, where countries aimed to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Co-benefits of Climate Action
Health, Jobs and economy, Equity and Community, Green spaces, Resilience.
Cradle to Cradle
A design concept that aims to create products with materials that can be fully recycled or biodegraded, promoting sustainability.
Decarbonisation
The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, particularly from burning fossil fuels, to achieve a lower-carbon economy.
Ecological Footprint
The measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, calculated by the amount of natural resources used and waste generated.
Ecosystem Services
Benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including clean water, air, pollination, and climate regulation.
Electric Vehicle (EV)
A vehicle that is powered by electricity stored in batteries and/or fuel cells, rather than relying solely on internal combustion engines.
Emissions Trading System (ETS)
A market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by setting a cap on total emissions and allowing trading of emission allowances.
Fossil Fuels
Non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of ancient organisms, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Food Miles
The distance food travels from its place of production to the consumer, impacting its environmental footprint.
Global Warming
The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
How much heat a particular Greenhouse Gas (GHG) traps in the atmosphere over a specific period of time, usually 100 years and relative to CO2.
Green Building
Construction and operation of buildings using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.
Greenhouse Effect
The process by which radiation from the sun is trapped in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases, warming the planet.
Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Greenwashing
Misleading or deceptive practices by companies or organisations that claim to be more environmentally friendly than they actually are.
Hydroelectric Power
Electricity generated by harnessing the energy of flowing water.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The panel which provides governments with scientific information to create climate policies.
Microplastics
Small plastic particles less than 5mm in size that are found in the environment, posing a threat to ecosystems and wildlife.
Mitigation
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to lessen the severity of climate change.
Net Zero
The balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net increase in emissions.
Ocean Acidification
The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which can have detrimental effects on marine life.
Paris Agreement
A global agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
Peak Oil
The hypothetical point in time when global oil production reaches its maximum rate, after which production gradually declines.
Renewable Energy
Energy obtained from sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat.
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
A regulation that requires a certain percentage of a region's electricity to come from renewable sources.
Sea Level Rising
GHG in the atmosphere are trapping heat which means ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting, plus thermal expansion as the ocean warms and expands.
Smart Grid
An advanced electrical grid that uses digital technology to monitor and manage the distribution of electricity more efficiently.
Sustainability
The practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming practices that aim to produce food while minimising environmental impact, conserving resources, and supporting local communities.
Sustainable Consumption
The use of goods and services that minimise environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote equity.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly to address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, and more.
Sustainable Development Indicators
Measures used to track progress toward sustainable development goals and objectives.
Sustainable Development Reporting
The process of communicating an organisation's environmental and social impacts, often including efforts toward sustainability and climate action.
Sustainable Transportation
Modes of transportation that minimise environmental impact, such as public transport, cycling, walking, and electric vehicles.
Urban Heat Island Effect
The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities and infrastructure.
Weather
The state of the atmosphere at a particular time, including temperature, wind, humidity, rain, and cloud cover.
Weatherisation
The process of making buildings more energy-efficient and resistant to the effects of weather.
