What does sustainability mean to you? It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but it can have different meanings and implications depending on the context. Contrary to the growing use of the term, Sustainability is not just about the environment, but also about social, economic and ethical aspects of human activity.
When I talk about sustainability, what I mean is “Maintaining financial resources at a certain rate or level, without the depletion of natural resources, or infringing on human rights” (so that there is enough for everyone, forever).
In this resources, I will explore some of the key terms and concepts related to sustainability.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the sustainability terms out there, but rather a starting point for learning and discussion. I hope you find it useful and interesting. Let’s dive in!
Click on the letters groups below to help you find the term you’re looking for.
Accessibility
The term “accessibility” is often used in the context of the physical built environment, referring to how easy it is for people with disabilities to move around and use the space.
However, the concept of accessibility can be applied more broadly to anything that is accessible to all, such as information or services. For sustainability, this means designing and delivering programmes, products, and services that are inclusive and meet the needs of everyone.
This concept is called Universal Design.
Active Transportation
Active transportation includes walking, cycling, skating, and wheelchair use – any human-powered travel.
Not only does this support human health & wellbeing, but it also forms part of a personal carbon reduction plan – as active transportation does not emit any harmful or excessive greenhouse gases (GHG).
Adaptation (to the effects of climate change)
Adapting to a changing climate means being proactive about the risks from those changes and taking steps now, regardless of whether or not we have actually experienced them yet. Adaptation is one of the key strategies governments can use to address sustainability issues such as sea-level rise, droughts, heatwaves, and other impacts from global warming.
It also helps build resilience against extreme weather that can be especially hazardous for coastal communities and fragile infrastructure.
Affordable Housing
“Affordable housing” is a term used to describe housing that is accessible to those who earn an income below the median in their area. In the sustainability context, it is important to have affordable housing because it enables people to live close to their workplaces, reducing the amount of fossil fuels and resources needed for transportation. It also allows people to live in communities that have access to essential services and amenities that meet their basic human rights.
Agency
The term “agency” can have different meanings, but for sustainability, it usually refers to the ability of people or organisations to take action. Agency is about having the power to make decisions and then taking responsibility for them. It’s also about being able to act on our convictions and principles, which is essential for creating meaningful change.
Anthropocene
The Anthropocene is a term used to describe a new geological epoch in which human activities have a significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. The word comes from the Greek words for “human” and “new”.
Asset-Based Community Development
Asset-based community development (or ABCD) is a community development strategy that focuses on the assets – or strengths – of a community rather than its deficiencies. It starts by identifying what a community has already going for it, such as its people, institutions, and natural resources, and then building from there.
Building strong, resilient communities is essential to the economic wellbeing of people, businesses, local authorities and even government spending.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety of life on Earth, including the different plants, animals, and microorganisms that make up ecosystems. It includes both the genetic diversity of different species and the variety of ecosystems around the world.
Biomimicry
Biomimicry is a design approach that looks to nature for inspiration in order to create more sustainable technologies, products, and processes. It can involve copying the shapes, structures, or behaviours of natural organisms or mimicking the way natural systems work.
Biosphere
The biosphere is the place on Earth where life exists. It is made up of all the regions on Earth where organisms can live, including land surfaces, surface water bodies, and the atmosphere above them.
Carbon
Carbon has been getting a bad rap lately, as the word is often co-opted to represent Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which is a GHG.
A carbon atom is the basic building block of all life on Earth. It is part of structures called organic molecules which are found in most living things, from animals to plants to microbes. Carbon exists in different forms, including charcoal, gas and diamond.
The carbon cycle describes how carbon atoms make their way around various parts of the planet – through rocks and water, air and organisms.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) describes technologies that can prevent large quantities of CO2 emissions produced by stationary sources such as power stations or industrial facilities from entering the atmosphere, by capturing the gas and storing it in a geological formation underground.
Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases (including CO2) emitted as a result of an individual’s or organisation’s activities. It can be expressed in terms of the tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted (tCO2e) or in terms of the number of flights taken, energy consumed, or goods produced.
Carbon Footprint Services
Carbon Credits
A carbon credit is a tradable certificate that represents the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) or the equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas.
They are (mis)used by companies and governments to compensate for their CO2e emissions.
The misuse is when organisations use them to compensate for their emissions, without actively reducing their GHG output.
Further Reading
Circular Economy
Circular Economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (take, make, use, waste) in which materials are recycled or reused to as great an extent as possible.” The circular economy model seeks to maintain materials at their highest utility and value, eliminate waste and pollution, and regenerate natural systems.
Delve Deeper
Climate Change
Climate change refers to a broad array of environmental breakdown that is predicted to result from increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 and other pervasive Green House Gases (GHG), including global warming, changes in the water cycle and precipitation, sea-level rise, melting glaciers and more extreme weather events.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
CSR is a term that refers to corporate social responsibility, which is the promise of a business to contribute to long-term economic growth by working with employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and other stakeholders to improve their quality of life. This can involve donations to not-for-profits and charity organisations that fall under the company’s corporate values.
Bigger organisations often have entire departments dedicated to their CSR. While it has a place in a corporate sustainability agenda, on its own, does not meet the requirements of sustainable development.
Cradle to Cradle
Cradle to Cradle is a design philosophy “that suggests materials and products should be biodegradable and recyclable at the end of their useful life.”
Dematerialisation
Dematerialisation – in the context of sustainability – is the process of reducing the physical quantity of a product or service while maintaining or even increasing, its utility or value.
Design for Disassembly
Design for Disassembly is a product design philosophy that “seeks to optimise the ease of recycling through all stages of a product’s life.”
Also known as Design for Recycling.
Drought Tolerant Crops
Crops that have been specifically bred or genetically modified to survive periods of drought.
While the genetic modification of crops is frowned upon by some circles (due to the commodification of the seeds by corporations such as Monsanto), they need to be considered as part of a broader strategy to feed communities in drought-prone countries, by making the crops more resilient to drought. Something that will become increasingly common with the impacts of global heating and changing climates.
Affordable Housing
“Affordable housing” is a term used to describe housing that is accessible to those who earn an income below the median in their area. In the sustainability context, it is important to have affordable housing because it enables people to live close to their workplaces, reducing the amount of fossil fuels and resources needed for transportation. It also allows people to live in communities that have access to essential services and amenities that meet their basic human rights.
Economic Sustainability
Economic sustainability refers to the ability of an economy or the finances of a person or organisation to remain constant.
Ecosystem
An Ecosystem is ‘a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.’
Definition from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem Services are the direct and indirect benefits that humans derive from ecosystems that contribute to our quality of life, wellbeing and ultimately, our survival. These natural services are often grossly undervalued, so there is little emphasis on caring for them. However, without them, it would cost governments billions each year.
The four types of ecosystem services are:
Provisioning – Obtaining ‘products’ such as food, water, medicine, wood, oil and other genetic goods that we rely on.
Regulating – Benefits of natural processes and functions such as flood and climate regulation, water purification, pollination, etc.
Cultural – The non-material that contribute to our mental and physical wellbeing, spirituality, recreational activities and natural beauty.
Supporting – These include natural functions such as the water, nutrient and carbon cycles, and photosynthesis which support the ecosystems and habitats we rely on.
Further Reading
Energy Efficient
A product, building, or process that reduces the amount of energy required to provide a service.
ESG
ESG is an acronym that stands for environmental, social, and governance. It is a framework that helps stakeholders understand how an organisation is managing risks and opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance criteria. ESG can be used to evaluate a company’s impact on society and the environment, as well as its transparency and accountability.
Fairtrade
The fair trade concept is an effort to establish sustainable and equitable trading relations among nations. The fair trade movement unites the payment of higher prices to exporters with improved social and environmental standards. The movement focuses on commodities such as handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, wine, sugar, fruit, flowers, and gold, or items that are typically traded from developing countries to developed countries, but it’s also employed in national markets (e.g.,Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh).
You can expect to see Fairtrade certifications for beauty, food, jewellery and homeware products.
Fairtrade certification is an independent, non-profit organisation that sets standards for fair trading practices between companies and producers in over 70 countries around the world.
Learn more about Fairtrade Certification
Food Miles
Food Miles are “the distance food travels from the farm to our plates.” Buying local, seasonal food helps to reduce your food miles.
Online organic food delivery services such as Riverford* and Able & Cole consider the distance food has to travel and the modes of transport required to reduce their CO2e and food mile footprints.
*Disclosure: This is an affiliate link – we both receive £15, and a tree is planted on organic farmland for each sign up through this link.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes the responsible management of forests.
You will often see the FSC seal on certified card and paper.
Green Building
A Green Building is “a building or structure that employs strategies to reduce energy consumption and water usage, conserve and recycle materials, and improve indoor environmental quality.”
Green Chemistry
Green chemistry is the practice of designing and carrying out chemical processes in a way that minimises or eliminates the use and generation of hazardous substances. It is also known as green engineering or sustainable chemistry.
Green House Gases (GHG)
GHG emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) are “gases released directly or indirectly from human activity that contribute to the Earth’s greenhouse effect.” They trap heat in the atmosphere and cause the Earth’s average temperature to rise. They include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.
GHGs are measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). This makes it easier to compare the emissions from different GHGs, as they all have different warming potentials. For example, methane is around 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.
They can come from both natural and human sources. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas releases GHGs into the atmosphere, as does farming, forestry and other land use.
Reducing GHGs – not just carbon dioxide – is essential to mitigating climate change and its impacts. There are a number of ways to do this, including switching to renewable energy, planting trees and improving agricultural practices.
Carbon Footprint Support
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a form of spin in which green PR or green marketing is used to promote the perception that an organisation’s products, services, policies or practices are environmentally friendly.
In 2021, the UK Government – under the Competition & Markets Authority – introduced the Green Claims Code, in an effort to ensure consumers are getting what they believe they have paid for in terms of any “eco-claims.”
Greenwashing Audits
Habitat
A habitat is a place where an animal or plant lives and finds the food, water and shelter it needs to survive.
Impacts
The effects of something, such as a project, on people or the environment.
Materiality
In sustainability, materiality refers to the significance of certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues to a company’s operations and its stakeholders. It helps businesses identify and prioritize key sustainability areas, ensuring that efforts are focused on the most impactful issues. This concept is crucial for targeted sustainability reporting and strategic planning.
Find out more about my Materiality Assessment Sessions
Mitigation
Actions taken to reduce negative impacts, particularly regarding climate change.
Natural Capital
The stock of renewable and non-renewable resources that provide benefits to people, such as food, water, timber and air quality.
Natural capital is closely related to natural resources.
Natural Resources
Materials and components that occur naturally on Earth and are essential for the survival and well-being of people and animals, such as air, water, land, minerals and forests.
Organic
‘Organic’ is a term that refers to the way some food products and cosmetic ingredients are grown or processed without using artificial chemicals, such as fertilisers, pesticides, antibiotics or hormones. Organic products is often considered to be healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly than conventional products.
You can expect to see certification logo’s on food, cosmetics and fabrics.
Photovoltaic (PV) Cells
PV cells convert sunlight into electricity, essential in solar energy systems and sustainable energy transition to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
However, it’s important to recognise that their production raises ethical and environmental issues. The mining of rare earth minerals, necessary for PV cell manufacturing, occurs in regions like China’s Inner Mongolia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This leads to environmental degradation, water pollution, and health risks for locals. Human rights concerns also arise from poor working conditions in mines.
Additionally, the disposal of PV cells, containing hazardous materials, poses environmental challenges if not correctly recycled. Addressing these issues is vital for a responsible adoption of solar energy.
Pollution
Contamination of air, water, or soil by harmful substances from human activities.
Recyclable
Materials that can be processed and reused, and retain their original value.
Regenerative Business
This refers to a holistic approach to business that goes beyond sustainability. The aim of regenerative business practices is to actively rejuvenate and restore the ecosystems, communities, and economies they operate in. Unlike traditional business models that often focus on minimising harm or being ‘less bad’, regenerative businesses seek to create positive impacts and improve the systems they are a part of. This includes implementing practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, improve water cycles, and contribute positively to the welfare of local communities.
Renewable Energy
Energy sourced from natural processes that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. Renewable energy is key to reducing pollution.
Reusable
Products designed for multiple uses to reduce waste.
Scope 1, 2 & 3
Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are a way of grouping greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into three categories based on their source and control. These categories were created by the GHG Protocol.
Here is a brief description of each category:
– Scope 1 emissions: Direct emissions that result from activities within your organisation’s control. This might include onsite fuel combustion, manufacturing and process emissions, refrigerant losses or company vehicles.
– Scope 2 emissions: Indirect emissions from electricity, heat or steam that you purchase and use. Although not directly in control of the emissions, by using the energy you are indirectly responsible for the release of CO2.
– Scope 3 emissions: Any other indirect emissions from sources outside of your direct control. This category covers all the emissions associated, not with the company itself, but those for which the organisation is indirectly responsible up and down the value chain. This includes purchased goods and services, use of sold goods, business travel, commuting, waste disposal and water consumption.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agricultural practices that maintain the health of ecosystems and communities. These practices focus on environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.
Yield Gap
The difference between potential and actual crop yields in agriculture. Understanding and reducing yield gaps is important for improving agricultural efficiency and availability.
Zero Waste
This concept focuses on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. The goal is to completely eliminate waste, not just manage it. Zero waste practices include reusing, repairing, recycling, and composting, with an emphasis on reducing the overall amount of waste produced. This approach contributes significantly to sustainability by minimising the environmental impact of human activities.
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