Environment & Energy

A B Corporation is a type of business that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These companies aim to benefit not just their shareholders, but also the community and the environment.

It's a business approach that helps companies be socially accountable to themselves, their stakeholders, and the public. CSR involves initiatives that benefit society and the environment while also contributing to the company's success.

This approach promotes a system where products are designed with their entire lifecycle in mind, ensuring that materials can be reused or recycled. It aims to eliminate waste and create a positive environmental impact.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It refers to the three central factors used to measure the sustainability and societal impact of an investment in a company or business.

Ecosystem Services refer to the benefits that humans receive from nature, including clean water, pollination of crops, and climate regulation. These services are essential for our survival and well-being, as they support life and economic activities.

A Green Bond is a type of fixed-income investment specifically used to fund projects that have positive environmental impacts. These bonds help raise money for initiatives like renewable energy, clean water, and sustainable agriculture.

Green Finance refers to financial activities that support environmentally sustainable projects and initiatives. It aims to promote investments that have positive environmental impacts while addressing climate change and resource depletion.

Greenwashing is when a company or organization pretends to be environmentally friendly to attract customers, while actually not making significant efforts to help the environment. It misleads people into thinking that their products or practices are more sustainable than they really are.

This type of investing aims to generate positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. Investors allocate funds to businesses and projects that contribute to sustainability and address social challenges.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. It helps identify opportunities for reducing negative environmental effects and promotes sustainable practices.

A linear economy is an economic model that follows a 'take-make-dispose' pattern. In this system, resources are extracted, used to create products, and then discarded as waste after their use.

Natural Capital refers to the world's stocks of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things. It provides essential services that support life and economic activities, such as clean air, water filtration, and pollination of crops.

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. This helps conserve resources and reduce waste in landfills. It plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability by minimizing the environmental impact of waste.

This type of farming focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity while producing food. It uses techniques that restore the ecosystem rather than deplete it.

Scope 1, 2, and 3 refer to different categories of greenhouse gas emissions that organizations need to track. Scope 1 includes direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased electricity, and Scope 3 encompasses all other indirect emissions in a company's value chain.

Shared Value is a business concept where companies create economic value while also addressing social and environmental issues. It focuses on the idea that businesses can benefit by contributing positively to society and the environment.

A Social Impact Bond is a financial tool that funds social programs through private investment, with returns linked to the success of those programs. It aims to improve social outcomes while reducing government costs by focusing on prevention rather than remediation.

It refers to a way of developing society that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This approach balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations to address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. They aim to create a better future for everyone by promoting prosperity while protecting the planet.

Sustainable fashion refers to clothing and accessories that are produced and consumed in ways that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. It emphasizes the use of sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, and reducing waste in the fashion industry.

The Triple Bottom Line is a framework that encourages businesses to focus on three key areas: social, environmental, and economic impacts. It aims to measure a company's commitment to sustainability and its overall contribution to society beyond just profit.

Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted products into new items of better quality or value. It helps reduce waste and promotes creativity by giving new life to old things.

Aiming for Zero Waste means reducing the amount of waste we produce to as close to zero as possible. It involves rethinking our consumption habits and finding ways to reuse, recycle, and compost materials instead of throwing them away.