Jargon buster

Often used as shorthand for carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

A naturally occurring gas, which is also produced when fossil fuels are burned. It is one of the greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. 'Carbon' is often used a shorthand.

Included in the Climate Change Act, these place legally binding ceilings on the level of allowed UK emissions over five-year periods. They give businesses and individuals the direction they need to help reduce their emissions and help the transition to a low-carbon economy.

A method of measuring a personal carbon footprint. Many of these can be found online, but reliability and transparency of methodology differ greatly.

CO2e allows different greenhouse gases to be compared on a like-for-like basis relative to one unit of CO2. CO2e is calculated by multiplying the emissions of each of the six greenhouse gases by its 100-year global warming potential.

A measure of the amount of CO2 emitted by an individual, organisation or process – for example, for a given product, process or time period. It is generally expressed in tonnes of CO2.

Often called ‘carbon efficiency’, this provides an indication of the efficiency of the economy with respect to carbon emissions. It’s measured in terms of the amount of energy produced (across the whole economy) per unit of carbon emitted.

A consumer-facing label detailing the carbon dioxide emissions embodied in a product or released during its lifetime. The world’s first was introduced in the UK in 2006 by the Carbon Trust, which is now featured on brands such as Walkers crisps, Kingsmill bread, British Sugar, Cemex cement, Marshalls paving and Quaker Oats.

An increase in carbon dioxide emissions from one country as a result of an emissions reduction by a second country that has a stricter climate policy.

A bit like English literacy (reading, spelling, communicating etc), carbon literacy is an individual’s ability to identify, measure, manage, apply and communicate issues to do with a developing low-carbon economy.

Also known as ‘emissions trading’ or ‘carbon trading’, carbon markets are a way of controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for companies that achieve reductions in their emissions.

A central authority first sets a cap on the amount of carbon that can be emitted, then sells allocations to firms, giving them the right to emit a specific amount of carbon. Companies that need to increase their emission permits must buy permits from those who have managed to emit less than their allocation.

Examples include the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment and the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

When an organisation or person – through energy efficiency, carbon offsetting and other techniques – contributes no net CO2. It’s also known as ‘zero carbon’, and can be achieved for products and processes as well.

Measuring an organisation’s or individual's carbon emissions and purchasing the equivalent amount of ‘carbon credits’ from projects which are engaged in reducing emissions. These can include projects to install low-carbon technologies, plant carbon-absorbing trees or introduce energy efficiency.

The UK-wide carbon trading scheme which affects large public and private sector organisations that use more than 6,000MWh of electricity and gas.

Under the Climate Change Act, carbon emissions reporting is likely to be made mandatory for UK companies in 2012.

To sequester means to isolate or hide away. Companies and countries use many different ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, to slow its accumulation and therefore its contribution to climate change. These include planting trees (they ‘breathe in’ carbon dioxide) as well as more technical solutions, which are currently being investigated, such as capturing the greenhouse gas and pumping it down coalmines.

Nationally or internationally recognised and accredited methodologies for measuring the carbon footprint of organisations, products, projects and investments (eg PAS2050).

A change in global weather patterns, including temperature and storms. Climate change is partly influenced by greenhouse gases. It is often misleading referred to as ‘global warming’.

An Act passed in 2008 to encourage the transition to a low-carbon economy in the UK through legally binding emissions reduction targets. This means a reduction of at least 34% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels) and at least 80% by 2050. The UK is the only country around the world that has introduced a long-term legally binding framework to mitigate climate change.

The chemical name for carbon dioxide.

Also known as ‘carbon trading’ or ‘carbon markets’, emissions trading is a way of controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for companies that achieve reductions in their emissions.

A central authority first sets a cap on the amount of carbon that can be emitted, then sells allocations to firms, giving them the right to emit a specific amount of carbon. Companies that need to increase their emission permits must buy permits from those who have managed to emit less than their allocation.

Examples include the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment and the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme is the largest multinational emissions trading scheme in the world. It’s a good example of a ‘carbon market’. Under the scheme, large emitters of carbon dioxide within the EU must monitor and annually report their CO2 emissions.

Fuels such as coal, oil and gas, which are formed from the decomposed remains of plants and animals. Carbon dioxide is produced when fossil fuels are burned.

A shorthand term for climate change, but which misleadingly gives the impression that global weather will simply get warmer.

A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere, and therefore contributes to climate change. Global warming potential is calculated over a specific time interval, commonly 20, 100 or 500 years.

Produced when fossil fuels are burnt, these trap heat radiated from the earth, and contribute to climate change. They include carbon dioxide and methane.

An economy that is 80% less carbon-intensive than the present one. The UK government often refers to building a ‘low-carbon economy’ and has set a target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

Sources of energy that produce less greenhouse gas than traditional means of fossil fuel power generation, including wind, solar and geothermal.

Taking carbon into consideration in sourcing products and services, from the stage of pre-qualification questionnaires through to the end of contract.

The concentration of pollution within the atmosphere. Scientists and governments measure and monitor carbon dioxide in these terms and have anticipated certain global environmental effects from particular increases in this level.

Sources of power (such as wind, solar and wave) which harness natural energy and don't rely on a limited supply of fuel.

When an organisation or person – through energy efficiency, carbon offsetting and other techniques – contributes no net CO2. It’s also known as ‘carbon neutral’, and can be achieved for products and processes as well.