Glossary of Climate Terms

Scenarios and emissions pathways modeled to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Refers to whether emissions reductions or removals would have occurred in the absence of a specific carbon credit project. If the reductions would have happened anyway, the project is not considered additional. High additionality is essential to ensure that carbon credits represent real and measurable impact.

The planting of trees in an area that was not historically covered by forests.

The removal of CO₂from the atmosphere through human-driven activities or technologies. This includes nature-based solutions like afforestation and soil carbon sequestration, as well as engineered approaches such as direct air capture.

Climate mitigation activities, actions, or investments that occur outside a company’s direct operations and value chain. These activities can include purchasing carbon credits, supporting reforestation or conservation efforts, or funding climate tech R&D.

A stable, carbon-rich material produced by heating biomass in a low-oxygen environment, storing carbon for hundreds of years.

Carbon captured and stored by marine ecosystems like seagrass, salt marshes, and mangroves.

A leading sustainability assessment method for buildings, infrastructure, and master planning projects.

A market mechanism that sets emissions limits and allows trading of emission allowances.

The maximum amount of CO₂ that can be emitted globally to stay within a specific global warming limit, such as 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Capturing CO₂ from industrial processes and storing it underground.

Tradable units representing one metric tonne of CO₂e that has been reduced, avoided, or removed from the atmosphere.

A metric comparing GHGs based on their global warming potential relative to CO₂.

The total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by a person, group or activity, expressed in CO₂e

Achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by balancing GHG emissions with equivalent reductions and offsetting over a defined time period.

Balancing emitted CO₂ with removal or offsetting to achieve net-zero emissions.

Compensating for emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove GHGs elsewhere, such as reforestation or renewable energy.

The process of permanently lowering GHG emissions through sustainable practices, technologies or supply chain changes.

Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it long-term (e.g. in forests, soil, or underground)

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon, often in plants, soils, or geological formations.

A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs more carbon than it emits, like forests or oceans.

Any activity that emits CO₂ into the atmosphere, notably the burning of fossil fuels.

A tax on GHG emissions to encourage reduction and fund climate initiatives.

Ecologi’s monthly subscription service that funds reforestation and carbon reduction projects globally.

Climate change adaptation is the process of adjusting to current or expected climate conditions and their effects.

Long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, now largely driven by human activity.

Actions taken to reduce GHG emissions or enhance carbon sinks.

Carbon dioxide equivalent – a unit expressing the impact of different GHGs in terms of CO₂ warming potential.

Cooperative efforts by individuals or organizations to achieve a shared goal, especially in addressing climate change.

Annual UN climate summit where nations negotiate agreements on climate action.

A business approach that integrates social, environmental, and ethical considerations into operations and stakeholder interactions.

Managing business operations to minimize environmental and social impacts.

Life cycle assessment from raw material extraction to disposal.

Life cycle assessment from raw material extraction to delivery to retailer.

Reducing or eliminating fossil fuel emissions, by shifting toward low-carbon and renewable energy sources and adopting sustainable practices

Capturing CO₂ directly from ambient air and storing it underground to prevent release into the atmosphere.

A coefficient indicating how much GHG is emitted per unit of activity.

Using less energy to perform the same task.

Systems to monitor, control, and reduce energy use in operations.

Ensuring fair treatment of all people regardless of race, income, or geography in environmental policies and practices.

Processes in the climate system that amplify or reduce climate change effects.

The long-term rise in Earth’s average temperature due to increased GHGs from human activity.

A high-integrity carbon offset certification founded by WWF and others, aligned with the UN SDGs.

The process where GHGs trap heat in the atmosphere, keeping Earth warm but intensified by human emissions.

Emissions of gases like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Misleading claims that exaggerate an organisation’s environmental responsibility or sustainability.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — a UN body for climate science.

An international standard for environmental management systems.

When a carbon reduction in one area leads to an unintended increase in emissions elsewhere.

Green building certification for sustainability in energy, water, and materials.

Evaluates environmental impacts throughout a product’s life.

Phases in a product’s life — from raw materials to disposal or recycling.

Actions that reduce the causes or impacts of climate change, especially cutting GHGs.

The removal of GHGs from the atmosphere to compensate for ongoing emissions, resulting in a net reduction of atmospheric GHG levels

Balancing the amount of emitted and removed GHGs so that no net increase occurs.

Environmental thresholds that must not be crossed to maintain Earth’s stability. Includes climate change, ocean acidification, and more.

Planting trees in areas that have lost forest cover due to natural or human causes.

Energy from sources that replenish naturally, like solar, wind, and hydro.

Restoring land to its natural, uncultivated state to boost biodiversity and ecosystem function.

Helps companies set GHG targets aligned with climate science and the Paris Agreement.

Direct emissions from sources controlled by an organisation.

Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam.

Indirect emissions from an organisation’s supply chain and customer use.

UK regulations requiring large companies to report energy use and emissions.

The process of involving affected parties in company decision-making to ensures their perspectives are considered.

Overseeing production and delivery in a way that supports sustainability and risk management.

The disclosure of a company's environmental, social, and economic performance, impacts, and goals.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

17 UN goals for global sustainable development by 2030.

Investing in companies with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

Selecting products and suppliers based on environmental, social and ethical impacts.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures aims to help companies and investors understand and communicate the financial impacts of climate change.

UN scientific body evaluating and reporting on climate change research.

A 2015 international climate treaty under the UNFCCC, in which nearly all countries committed to limit global warming to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C.

A framework measuring business success by people, planet, and profit.

A UN initiative for businesses committed to responsible and sustainable practices.

A leading voluntary carbon offset program developed by Verra. It certifies carbon reduction and removal projects to ensure they meet high standards of environmental integrity and additionality.

Strategies to reduce the amount of waste generated by an organisation, project or individual.

A philosophy and goal to send no waste to landfill or incineration.

A process, product, or system that does not emit any carbon emissions during its operation or lifecycle