Confused with sustainable terminologies/jargons? Don’t be, as Upcycleluxe has got you covered. This detailed list contains the latest sustainability buzzwords aimed at providing the exact meaning in a simplified manner. Without much adieu let’s start reading the Eco-Friendly Glossary: A to F Sustainability Terminologies Explained
(Click here Part 2)
Active Transport
Active transport involves travelling from point A to B by walking or cycling. It includes other physical activities like scooting and running. For farther distances, the best examples of active transport involve electric vehicles, carpooling, and public transportation.
Air Pollution- AQI
Air pollution measured in terms of AQI can harm biodiversity and ecosystems, including plants, animals, and micro-organisms.
Biodegradable
Products that break down and blend easily with the Earth are aided by the right conditions, micro-organisms, bacteria, fungi, and leaving minimal to no toxins behind.
Bioenergy
It is renewable energy derived from biological sources, such as plant matter (wood, crops like sugarcane and corn, waste accumulated from forests and farms) and animal waste.
Biofuel
Biofuel is derived from animal waste or plant matter. It is generally a liquid or gas and can be widely used for transportation purposes.
Biomimicry
It involves designs that mimic nature with the main goal of creating products/services that are suitable for life on Earth over the long term.
Blue Carbon
It is the carbon harnessed by the coastal ecosystems or oceans.
Blue Economy
The economy is generated from marine activities that contribute positively to both environmental and social well-being.
Carbon Credit
A tradable certificate/permit that allows a company enrolled in an emission trading scheme to emit one ton of CO2 or any other greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
A naturally occurring gas/by-product of burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal), it is also the foremost greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and warms Earth.
Carbon Emissions
The release of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into Earth’s atmosphere and other greenhouse gases.
Carbon Footprint
The total greenhouse gas emissions over a period of time by an organisation or any activity.
Carbon Neutral
Net zero greenhouse gas emissions achieved by balancing greenhouse gas emissions or by carbon offsetting.
Carbon Offsetting
Any activity gauged to reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions by buying verified carbon credits either through carbon trading schemes or emissions reduction projects.
Carbon Positive
It comprises any activity that is considered to reduce/offset more emissions than it generates.
Carbon Zero (Zero Carbon)
Used to describe a product/service that generates no greenhouse gases during production/operation.
Circular Economy
An economic system based on the continuing production/reuse/regeneration of materials or products in an eco-friendly way.
Climate Action
Activities that are undertaken to address climate change and its diverse impacts, generally by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Adaptation
Actions to manage the assured diverse impacts of climate change.
Climate Change
A long-term shift in global average temperatures or weather patterns due to rapid industrialisation and heavy concentration of harmful greenhouse gases.
Climate Mitigation
Actions put forth to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere.
Collective Impact
The cross-sector liaison to promote large-scale change through reduced carbon emissions.
Compostable
They are materials that break down quickly, leaving no toxic residues, and can support plant growth.
Conscious Consumerism
Buying products/services that are produced responsibly or sustainably.
Decarbonisation
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilising low-emission power sources and electrification.
Deforestation
The decrease in forest areas due to human activities like agricultural croplands, mining activities, urbanisation, and industrialisation.
Doughnut Economics
A doughnut-shaped visual framework that combines the primary concept of planetary boundaries with the secondary concept of social boundaries and vouches for human prosperity through sustainability.
Downcycling
A process of recycling a matter in a manner that decreases its quality and value.
Ecological Restoration or Nature Restoration
Supporting an ecosystem to restore it back to its previous and more biodiverse condition.
EVs or Electric Vehicle
It is a vehicle that solely runs on electricity powered by a rechargeable battery.
Embodied Carbon
Emissions associated during manufacturing and transporting of materials needed for construction or products.
Environmental pollution
It is the addition of unwanted and harmful chemicals/gases to the ecosystem that leads to drastic changes in the environment.
Ethical Investment
Investments made in ethical and sustainable activities that are considered less harmful, health-giving, environmentally and socially positive.
Fair Trade
An alternative approach that forges a partnership between manufacturers and customers to ensure a fair share of benefits to the farmers.
This is not it! Check out our Eco-Friendly Glossary: G to Z Sustainability Terminologies Part 2 for the other latest sustainability buzzwords that will make you understand the jargons and relate it with eco-friendly products hosted at Upcycleluxe (www.upcycleluxe.com) which is an online sustainable marketplace.
