How to tell your emissions from your elbow
The issue of carbon emissions and sustainability are gaining momentum every day. But for those new to the subject, there can be a steep learning curve. With this in mind, we have created a quick reference guide to the key terms you need to know. Bookmark this page on your laptop and you will never be confounded by terminology again.
Audit
An independent examination of how something works, for example, how a company produces CO2
Benchmark
To compare your company’s carbon emissions against similar other organisations to see how much work needs to be done.
Carbon footprint
The total volume of carbon emissions produced by a company, organisation or individual.
Carbon neutral
For a company, to have zero net carbon emissions (e.g. by using only renewable energy or through offsetting its emissions through the purchase of approved carbon credits).
Carbon Trust
Body created by the government to help businesses and organisations reduce their carbon emissions. It also funds the development of low carbon technology.
Carbon Trust Standard
Initiative that provides a robust and clear definition of good practice that can be used to judge a company’s commitment to carbon reduction.
Cause related marketing
To partner with a good cause as part of a marketing strategy, for example, donating a percentage of profits from products sold to a selected charity.
Climate change
A commonly used phrase to describe the theory that pollution caused by humans, including carbon emissions, is damaging the earth’s ecology.
Climate change levy (CCL)
A tax on energy usage introduced in 2001. It aims to provide an incentive to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
CO2
Carbon dioxide is one of the so-called ‘greenhouse gases’. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2 into the atmosphere, which is believed to be a major cause of climate change.
Copenhagen
Heads of state and environmental interest groups will gather at the UN Climate Conference, which will be held in the Danish capital from December 8-12.
CSR
Corporate Social Responsibility is a form of self-regulation used by companies to take responsibility for their impact on people and the environment. This often feeds into marketing strategy.
Deforestation
Chopping down trees to clear land for human use releases carbon dioxide. This is another key contributor to climate change.
Emissions
The release of energy into the atmosphere
ETS
Emission Trading System. Introduced by the EU in 2005 as a multi-country initiative to reduce emissions.
Fossil fuels
We use non-renewable energy sources such as coal and oil to heat our homes and power our vehicles. Burning such fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Global warming
The average temperature on Earth is increasing, due to fossil fuel burning and deforestation.
Greenhouse gases
Trace gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide and ozone help to regulate climate and support life on Earth. If we produce too much greenhouse gas, it will absorb more heat and warm the earth too much.
Greenwash
Any activity undertaken by brands which makes them appear greener than they actually; worse still are brands that are exposed as using the topic as a marketing tool without backing it up.
Jargon
In itself, corporate jargon is the biggest barrier to carbon reduction, as it complicates the key issues and acts as a barrier to effective communication.
Off-setting
Phrase used to describe how companies or individuals compensate for their carbon emissions, for example, donating money to a fund that plants trees.
Renewable energy
Sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Reputation
Takes a long time for a company to earn; takes seconds to lose with an ill-advised greenwash campaign.
By Richard Abbott
