Green Transition Terminology

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carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Technologies or processes that capture carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and store them underground to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.
carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS)
The process of capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and either reusing it or storing it so it will not enter the atmosphere.
carbon credits
Permits that allow the holder to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One credit permits the emission of a mass equal to one ton of carbon dioxide.
carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalent.
carbon offsetting
Compensating for emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
carbon pricing
Using market mechanisms to charge emitters a price per ton of carbon dioxide emissions.
carbon sink
Natural or artificial reservoirs that accumulate and store some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period.
carbon tax
A tax imposed on carbon emissions to incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
carbon trading
A market-based system where countries or organizations can buy or sell allowances or credits for greenhouse gas emissions.
circular economy
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources by closing the loop of product life cycles through recycling and reuse.
climate change mitigation
Actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases with the goal of limiting global warming and its related impacts.
climate finance
Local, national, or transnational financing, which may be drawn from public, private, and alternative sources of financing, that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change.
climate justice
A term and movement that acknowledges climate change can have differing social, economic, public health, and other adverse impacts on underprivileged populations.
climate neutrality
Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing emissions with removal or offsetting.
composting
The process of decomposing organic waste to create nutrient-rich soil.
conservation easements
Legal agreements that permanently limit uses of land to protect its conservation values.
corporate social responsibility (CSR)
A business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public.

The definitions provided are derived from commonly accepted explanations within the fields of environmental science, climate policy, and sustainable development. While they are not directly from a specific standard, they align well with the terminology and concepts found in various international standards and frameworks. Here are some key standards and frameworks that support the definitions provided:


Relevant Standards and Frameworks


ISO Standards (International Organization for Standardization)


ISO 14000 Series: A family of standards related to environmental management that helps organizations minimize their environmental impact.

ISO 50001: Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use.


UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


SDGs: A set of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030, addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.


Greenhouse Gas Protocol


GHG Protocol: Provides standards, guidance, tools, and training for business and government to measure and manage climate-warming emissions.


IPCC Guidelines (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)


IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Provides methodologies for estimating national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions.


EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities


EU Taxonomy: A classification system establishing a list of environmentally sustainable economic activities, aiming to provide companies, investors, and policymakers with appropriate definitions.


GHG Emissions Standards


Various national and international standards: Such as those set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union, and other governmental bodies regulating emissions and air quality.


ANSI Standards (American National Standards Institute)


ANSI/ASQ Z1.4: Sampling procedures and tables for inspection by attributes.

ANSI E1.11: Entertainment Technology – USITT DMX512-A – Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories.