Glossary of Climate & ESG Terms
Understand the terminology driving global climate action, disclosure, and sustainable transformation.
1.5°C target
The climate goal to limit global warming to 1.5 centigrade above pre-industrial levels to reduce the risks of climate change.
Absolute target
A fixed emissions reduction goal that does not vary with business growth or activity levels.
Adaptive capacity
The ability of systems and communities to adjust to climate impacts, reducing harm or leveraging opportunities.
Afforestation
Planting new forests on land that has not previously been forested, enhancing carbon sequestration.
Air pollution
The presence of harmful substances in the air, affecting environmental and human health.
Air quality index (AQI)
A measure used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or is forecast to become.
Anaerobic digestion
A process that breaks down organic matter without oxygen to produce biogas and nutrient-rich digestate.
Avoided emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions that are prevented through changes in processes, products, or behavior.
B Corp
A certified business balancing profit and purpose, meeting high standards of social and environmental impact.
Base year
A reference year against which future greenhouse gas emissions or performance improvements are measured.
Base year emissions recalculation
Adjusting historical emissions to reflect changes in boundaries, methodologies, or business structure.
Beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM)
Climate mitigation actions outside an organization’s direct operations or value chain.
Biodegradable
A substance that can break down naturally by microorganisms into non-toxic components.
Biofuel
Fuels produced from organic materials, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Biomimicry
Design inspired by natural systems and processes to create sustainable solutions.
Blue economy
A sustainable ocean-based economy that balances economic growth, environmental health, and social equity.
Business resilience
An organization’s capacity to absorb disruptions and adapt to a changing operating environment.
Business transformation
Fundamental change in business practices to integrate sustainability and long-term value.
Carbon accounting
The process of measuring and tracking greenhouse gas emissions across operations and value chains.
Carbon accounting/greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting
A method for measuring and tracking GHG emissions across operations and value chains.
Carbon budget
The maximum amount of emissions allowed to stay within a specific temperature limit, like 1.5°C.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Technology that captures CO₂ emissions from sources and stores them underground to prevent atmospheric release.
Carbon credits
Tradable certificates representing one tonne of CO₂ reduced or removed, used to offset emissions.
Carbon cycle
The natural circulation of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e)
A unified metric for comparing emissions of various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential.
Carbon emissions/greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
The release of GHGs like CO₂ and methane into the atmosphere from human and natural activities.
Carbon Footprint
The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an entity or activity.
Carbon footprint verification (CFV)
An independent assessment that confirms the accuracy and completeness of reported carbon emissions data.
Carbon insetting
Emissions reduction activities within a company’s value chain, often involving nature-based solutions.
Carbon intensity
The volume of emissions per unit of economic output, product, or energy consumed.
Carbon labeling
The practice of displaying the carbon footprint of a product to inform consumer choices.
Carbon leakage
The shift of emissions-intensive activities to regions with weaker climate policies, undermining global reduction goals.
Carbon market
A trading system where carbon credits are bought and sold to incentivize emissions reductions.
Carbon negative
An activity or system that removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.
Carbon Neutral
A state where emissions are balanced by equivalent removals or offsets, achieving net zero emissions.
Carbon neutrality/carbon neutral
Achieving a balance between emitted and removed greenhouse gases through reductions and offsets.
Carbon offsetting/compensation
The practice of investing in environmental projects to counterbalance emissions.
Carbon positive/climate positive
Going beyond net zero by actively removing more carbon than is emitted.
Carbon pricing
Attaching a monetary cost to GHG emissions to incentivize reductions and climate-smart decisions.
Carbon removal
Technologies or practices that extract CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it durably.
Carbon sequestration
Capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂ through natural or engineered processes.
Carbon sink
A system such as a forest or ocean that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
Carbon token
A digital representation of a verified carbon credit, often used in blockchain-based carbon markets.
CDP (originally the Carbon Disclosure Project)
A global disclosure system for managing environmental impacts of companies and cities.
Circular business models
Business approaches that keep resources in use through reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling.
Circular economy
An economic model focused on eliminating waste and circulating materials and resources sustainably.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
A UN mechanism enabling developed countries to meet emission targets through projects in developing countries.
Clean tech
Innovative technologies that reduce environmental impact and support sustainable development.
Climate action
Efforts to reduce or adapt to climate change through mitigation and resilience strategies.
Climate adaptation
Adjusting systems and practices to minimize harm from climate impacts.
Climate change
Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activities.
Climate impact
The consequences of climate change on natural systems, human health, and the economy.
Climate mitigation
Actions to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and limit global warming.
Climate positive
An approach that removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.
Climate resilience
The capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from climate-related disruptions.
Climate risk
Potential negative impacts resulting from climate change, including both physical and transition risks.
Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA)
A process to evaluate exposure and sensitivity to climate-related risks and identify adaptation needs.
Climate scenario analysis
A tool to assess potential climate futures and evaluate strategic resilience under varying climate conditions.
Closed loop
A system where products and materials are reused or recycled, minimizing waste and resource use.
Closed-Loop Supply Chain
A supply chain designed to capture and reuse materials at end of life for circularity.
Combined heat and power (CHP)
A highly efficient system that generates electricity and useful heat from a single energy source.
Conference of the Parties (COP)
The supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, where global climate negotiations occur.
Conservation
The sustainable management and protection of natural resources and biodiversity.
Consolidation/consolidation of logistics
Streamlining shipments or supply routes to reduce emissions, costs, and resource use.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
An international treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use.
Corporate carbon footprint (CCF)
The total GHG emissions from an organization’s operations, including direct and indirect sources.
Corporate controversies
Significant negative events or practices that harm a company’s ESG performance or reputation.
Corporate governance
The systems and processes for directing and controlling a company, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Voluntary business practices that promote ethical, social, and environmental sustainability.
Cradle to cradle
A product design philosophy that promotes infinite resource reuse in safe, circular systems.
Cradle to grave
An assessment of environmental impacts across a product’s entire life cycle, from creation to disposal.
Decarbonization
The process of reducing carbon emissions across operations, energy systems, and value chains.
Decentralized energy (DE)
Energy generated close to where it’s used, reducing transmission losses and enhancing resilience.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests, often for agriculture or development, reducing biodiversity and increasing emissions.
DEI
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — ensuring fair treatment and opportunity in workplaces and communities.
Digital carbon footprint
The emissions associated with digital activities such as cloud computing, streaming, and data storage.
Direct emissions/direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Emissions from sources owned or controlled by the reporting entity (Scope 1).
Disclosure/disclosing
Revealing information about sustainability risks, impacts, or performance to stakeholders.
Diversity and inclusion
Fostering a workplace or society that values varied identities, perspectives, and backgrounds.
Doha Amendment
An update to the Kyoto Protocol extending commitments to reduce GHG emissions beyond 2012.
Double materiality /double materiality assessment
An approach that considers both financial and societal/environmental material impacts.
Doughnut economics
An economic framework balancing ecological ceilings with social foundations for sustainable development.
Drawdown
The point at which GHG concentrations in the atmosphere begin to decline due to sustained emissions reduction.
Due diligence
The process of assessing and managing potential risks, impacts, and compliance in business operations and supply chains.
Eco-conscious
Being aware of and actively reducing one’s environmental impact through choices and behaviors.
Eco-footprint
A measure of human demand on Earth’s ecosystems, often synonymous with ecological footprint.
Ecological footprint
The area of land and water required to sustain a population’s resource use and absorb its waste.
Ecological restoration
The process of assisting the recovery of damaged or degraded ecosystems.
EFRAG
European Financial Reporting Advisory Group — supports the EU’s sustainability and financial reporting initiatives.
Electronic waste/e-waste
Discarded electronic devices and components requiring responsible recycling to avoid pollution.
Embedded carbon/embodied carbon
The total carbon emissions associated with the production and lifecycle of a material or product.
embodied water/shadow water
The hidden water used throughout a product’s life cycle, including production and transport.
Embodied carbon
See embedded carbon — the GHG emissions from all stages of a material’s production and use.
Emission reduction
The process of lowering the quantity of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Emissions trading/cap-and-trade
A market-based system where companies trade emissions allowances to meet reduction targets.
Emissions/emissions to air
Greenhouse gases or pollutants released into the atmosphere from natural or human sources.
Energy attribute certificates
Market instruments verifying the origin of renewable energy, such as RECs or GOs.
Energy efficient/energy efficiency
Using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same outcome.
Environmental impact assessment
A study to evaluate the environmental consequences of a proposed project or decision.
Environmental justice
The fair treatment and involvement of all people in environmental decision-making, regardless of race or income.
Environmental management systems
A structured approach to managing environmental policies and performance (e.g. ISO 14001).
Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
A framework evaluating sustainability risks and impacts across environmental, social, and corporate governance dimensions.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks
Guidelines and standards for structuring and reporting ESG performance.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) fund ratings
Assessments of investment funds based on ESG integration and sustainability performance.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) indices
Benchmarks tracking the performance of companies with strong ESG practices.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration
The incorporation of ESG factors into investment and business decisions.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing
An investment approach that considers ESG performance alongside financial returns.
Ethical Fashion
Fashion designed and produced with consideration for workers, animals, and the environment.
Ethical investing
Allocating capital to companies and funds aligned with ethical values and responsible practices.
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
EU legislation aiming to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the EU market.
EU Green Claims Directive
A proposed directive requiring companies to substantiate environmental claims and prevent greenwashing.
EU Omnibus
A package of regulatory updates from the EU, often related to sustainability and reporting.
EU Taxonomy
A classification system defining which economic activities are environmentally sustainable under EU law.
European Green Deal
The EU’s strategy to become climate neutral by 2050 while promoting a fair and inclusive transition.
European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
Reporting standards developed by EFRAG for CSRD compliance, covering ESG topics.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
A policy requiring producers to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products, especially at end-of-life.
Feed-in tariff
A policy mechanism offering payments for renewable energy fed into the grid by producers.
Food miles
The distance food travels from production to consumer, used as an indicator of carbon footprint.
Forced labour
Work that is performed involuntarily under threat or coercion — a major human rights concern in supply chains.
Forest degradation
The decline in forest quality, biodiversity, or function due to unsustainable practices.
Forest risk commodity
Products linked to deforestation or degradation, such as palm oil, soy, beef, and timber.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
An international certification for responsibly managed forests and forest products.
Fossil fuels
Carbon-rich energy sources like coal, oil, and gas — major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Gender pay gap
The average difference in earnings between women and men, reflecting broader gender inequality.
Geothermal energy
Heat energy sourced from the Earth’s interior, used for electricity generation and direct heating.
GHG protocol
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides global standards for measuring and managing GHG emissions.
Global surface temperature (GST)
The average temperature of the Earth’s surface, used to track climate change.
Global warming
The long-term rise in Earth’s average temperature caused largely by greenhouse gas emissions.
Global warming potential (GWP)
A metric that compares the climate impact of different greenhouse gases over a set time period.
Green bonds
Fixed-income investments used to fund environmentally sustainable projects.
Green buildings
Structures designed for resource efficiency, environmental performance, and occupant wellbeing.
Green computing
The practice of using computing resources in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Green hushing
The act of under-communicating sustainability efforts for fear of scrutiny or accusations of greenwashing.
Green infrastructure
Natural and semi-natural systems that deliver ecosystem services such as flood mitigation and cooling.
Green IT
Information technology designed and operated to minimize its environmental footprint.
Green marketing
Promoting products or services based on their environmental benefits.
Greenhouse effect
The natural process by which atmospheric gases trap heat, contributing to Earth’s habitable climate.
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)
The most widely used standard for corporate GHG emissions accounting.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, such as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O.
Greenhushing
See green hushing — the tendency to stay silent about climate action to avoid criticism.
Greenwashing
Misleading claims about sustainability performance to appear more environmentally responsible than reality.
Greenwashing/green sheen
Alternative term for greenwashing; a superficial appearance of environmental responsibility.
GRI standards
Global Reporting Initiative standards for sustainability reporting on economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Ground source heat pump/ground-to-water heat pump
A low-carbon technology that extracts heat from the ground to warm buildings.
High emitters
Organizations or sectors responsible for disproportionately high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Human capital management (HCM)
Strategies and systems for developing and retaining a skilled, engaged, and inclusive workforce.
Human rights
Basic freedoms and protections inherent to all people, central to sustainable and ethical business conduct.
Human rights due diligence
Processes that identify, prevent, and address human rights risks across business operations and supply chains.
IASB
International Accounting Standards Board — sets global accounting standards and supports sustainability disclosures.
Ifrs standards
Standards developed by the IASB for financial reporting, increasingly integrated with sustainability frameworks.
IIRC
International Integrated Reporting Council — helped pioneer integrated reporting, now part of IFRS Foundation.
socially responsible investing
Investing that considers ethical and ESG factors in portfolio construction.
impact investing
Investing intended to generate positive, measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial return.
Impact measurement
The process of assessing the real-world effects of an organization’s activities or investments.
Impact sourcing
Hiring and outsourcing that intentionally creates employment opportunities for marginalized communities.
Indirect emissions
GHG emissions that occur as a consequence of an organization’s activities but from sources it doesn’t own (Scope 2 or 3).
Integrated reporting
A reporting approach combining financial and sustainability data to provide holistic organizational insights.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The UN body responsible for advancing knowledge on climate science and impacts.
Internal carbon pricing
Setting a monetary value on carbon emissions to inform business strategy and investment decisions.
International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (ISAE 3000)
A standard for assurance of non-financial disclosures, including ESG and sustainability data.
ISO 14001 – environmental management systems
An international standard that specifies requirements for effective environmental management systems.
ISO 14019 series – validate and verify sustainability information
Standards guiding the verification of sustainability disclosures to ensure accuracy and reliability.
ISO 14064-1 – quantify and report GHG emissions and removals
Standard for organizational-level GHG accounting and reporting.
ISO 14068-1 – climate change management, transition to net zero – part 1: carbon neutrality
Guidance for achieving and validating carbon neutrality.
ISSB
International Sustainability Standards Board — sets global baseline standards for sustainability disclosure.
Just transition
Ensuring fair and inclusive shifts to a low-carbon economy, protecting workers and vulnerable communities.
Kyoto Protocol
An international treaty committing industrialized countries to reduce GHG emissions under the UNFCCC.
Landfill
A site for the disposal of waste material by burial, often a last resort in waste hierarchy.
Landscape and jurisdictional approaches
See ‘Jurisdictional and landscape approaches’.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
A methodology for assessing environmental impacts across a product’s entire life cycle.
Long-term science-based targets
GHG reduction targets aligned with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
Low-carbon economy
An economy based on minimal carbon emissions, achieved through clean energy and efficiency.
Materiality
The relevance of a sustainability issue to stakeholders and its impact on an organization’s performance.
Materiality /materiality assessment
The process of determining which sustainability issues are most significant to report.
Microgeneration/micro-energy
Small-scale energy generation technologies like rooftop solar panels for local use.
Microplastics
Tiny plastic particles that pollute the environment and pose risks to ecosystems and human health.
Mitigation hierarchy
A framework to avoid, minimize, restore, and offset environmental impacts.
Modern slavery
Severe forms of exploitation, including forced labor and trafficking, found in some global supply chains.
Monocropping
An agricultural practice of growing the same crop year after year, often linked to soil degradation and biodiversity loss.
Naked packaging
Products sold without packaging to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
Each country’s climate action plan under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions.
Natural capital
The world’s stocks of natural resources, such as soil, air, water, and biodiversity, providing ecosystem services.
Natural resources
Materials and components found in nature, essential for life and economic activity.
Nature positive
A commitment to enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health while reducing environmental harm.
Nature-based solutions
Sustainable actions that protect, manage, or restore natural ecosystems to address societal challenges.
Near-term science-based targets
GHG reduction targets set for 5–10 years ahead, aligned with climate science.
Negative screening
An investment strategy excluding companies or sectors based on ethical or sustainability criteria.
Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM)
An initiative of asset managers committed to aligning investments with net-zero goals by 2050.
Net Zero
Balancing emissions produced and removed from the atmosphere to achieve climate neutrality.
Net-zero water
Using water in a way that returns as much as is consumed, through efficiency and replenishment.
Neutralization/carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal (CDR)
Permanent removal of carbon from the atmosphere to balance residual emissions.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
A powerful greenhouse gas, often released through agriculture and industrial processes.
Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD)
An EU directive requiring large companies to report on ESG issues; precursor to CSRD.
Nudging
A behavioral science approach to influence decision-making through subtle interventions.
Offsetting
Compensating for emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases elsewhere.
Ozone (O₃)
A gas that exists in the upper atmosphere protecting life from UV rays, but harmful at ground level.
Packaging waste recovery notes (PRN)
Certificates showing packaging producers have met recycling obligations under UK law.
ppwr / ppwd
EU packaging and packaging waste regulations aimed at reducing packaging’s environmental impact.
packaging waste export recovery notes (PERN)
Certificates for exported packaging waste confirming it was recycled abroad under UK schemes.
Paris Agreement/Paris Climate Agreement
A global treaty committing countries to limit global warming well below 2°C.
Physical risk
Climate risks resulting from physical impacts such as extreme weather, sea-level rise, or drought.
Positive screening
An investment strategy favoring companies with strong sustainability performance or ESG leadership.
Post-consumer
Materials or products used and discarded by consumers, then collected for recycling or reuse.
Product stewardship
An approach where manufacturers take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products throughout the lifecycle.
Rainwater harvesting
The collection and storage of rainwater for reuse, reducing pressure on freshwater systems.
Reforestation
The replanting of trees in deforested areas to restore ecosystems and sequester carbon.
Regeneration
Restoring natural ecosystems to improve their health, resilience, and capacity to support life.
Regenerative agriculture
Farming practices that restore soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function.
Remanufacture/remanufacturing
Rebuilding products to their original specifications using reused or repaired parts.
Remineralize/remineralization
Replenishing minerals in ecosystems, often in soil or oceans, to enhance ecological productivity.
Renewable energy
Energy from naturally replenished sources like solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal.
Renewable energy ceritficates
Market-based instruments that verify electricity was generated from renewable sources.
Responsible innovation
Developing technologies and solutions that consider ethical, environmental, and social impacts.
Responsible invesetment
Investing that integrates ESG factors to generate long-term value and positive impact.
Restoration
Repairing damaged ecosystems to their original structure and function.
Sasb
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board — provides industry-specific standards for ESG reporting.
Sb 253
California Senate Bill 253 — mandates large companies disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions.
Sb 261
California Senate Bill 261 — requires disclosure of climate-related financial risks under TCFD.
Science based targets
Emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science to limit warming to 1.5°C or well below 2°C.
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
A global body enabling companies to set science-aligned emissions reduction targets.
Scope 1 emissions
Direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources controlled by the organization.
Scope 1 2 3 emissions
All direct (Scope 1), indirect energy (Scope 2), and value chain (Scope 3) emissions of an organization.
Scope 2 emissions
Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam consumed by the organization.
Scope 3 emissions
All other indirect emissions occurring in the value chain, such as travel, waste, and supply chain.
Scope 4 emissions
Avoided emissions — reductions that occur outside a product or organization’s value chain.
Sdr
Sustainability Disclosure Requirements — UK regulatory framework for corporate sustainability reporting.
Sec
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — increasingly involved in mandating climate risk disclosures.
Secondary recovered fuel
Fuel derived from waste materials, used to replace conventional fossil fuels.
Sfdr
Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation — requires financial market participants to disclose ESG risks and impacts.
Shared value
Creating economic value in a way that also creates benefits for society and the environment.
Social bonds
Fixed-income instruments that raise capital for projects with positive social outcomes.
Social capital
The value derived from social networks, trust, and cooperation within or between communities.
Social enterprise
A business that aims to generate profit while achieving social or environmental goals.
Social impact assessment
Evaluating the social effects of projects or policies on communities and stakeholders.
Social return on investment
A method to quantify and value the broader social and environmental benefits of an activity.
Solar energy/solar panels
Technology that converts sunlight into electricity or thermal energy.
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)
A UK framework for mandatory reporting of energy use and emissions.
Supply chain sustainability
Managing social, environmental, and economic impacts across a supply chain.
Supply chain traceability
Tracking materials, products, and practices through every stage of the supply chain.
Sustainability report assurance (SRA)
Independent verification of the accuracy and credibility of sustainability reports.
Sustainable design
Creating products or systems that minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency.
Sustainable development goals
17 global goals set by the UN to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.
Sustainable finance
Financial services that integrate environmental, social, and governance criteria into investment decisions.
Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)
EU regulation requiring financial institutions to disclose how sustainability risks are considered.
Sustainable procurement
Purchasing goods and services with minimal environmental and social impact across the lifecycle.
Systems thinking
A holistic approach to problem-solving that considers interconnections within complex systems.
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
Framework for companies to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities.
Tipping point/climate tipping point
A critical threshold where small changes can lead to irreversible climate shifts.
Tnfd
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures — developing a framework for reporting nature-related risks.
Traceability
The ability to track the history, location, or application of products through the supply chain.
Transition plan
A strategy outlining how an organization will move toward net-zero and a low-carbon economy.
Transition planning
The process of setting goals, actions, and timelines for decarbonization and climate alignment.
Transition risk
Business risks arising from the shift to a low-carbon economy, such as policy or market changes.
Triple bottom line
A framework assessing business performance across people, planet, and profit.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The UN treaty that provides the foundation for global climate agreements.
UN Global Compact
A UN initiative encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.
Un guiding principles on business and human rights
Global standards for preventing and addressing business-related human rights abuses.
UN Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI)
A UN-supported network of investors promoting sustainable investment practices.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
See Sustainable development goals.
Value chain emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions across an organization’s entire value chain, including suppliers and customers.
Value proposition
The unique value a business offers to customers, increasingly aligned with sustainability.
Voluntary emission reductions (VER)
Carbon offsets generated outside regulated markets, used for voluntary climate action.
VSME
Very Small and Micro Enterprises — small businesses often needing tailored sustainability support.
Waste stream
The complete flow of waste from generation to final disposal or recovery.
Water footprint
The total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed.
Water security
Ensuring the sustainable availability and quality of water for people, ecosystems, and economies.
Whitewashing
Concealing or downplaying negative practices or impacts, including on human rights or environment.
Zero carbon
Producing no carbon emissions from energy use or activities, often through renewable sources.
Zero waste
A philosophy and goal to eliminate waste through redesign, reuse, and closed-loop systems.