Welcome to our comprehensive digital glossary of key environmental terms, a valuable resource designed specifically for students and educators. This glossary provides a carefully researched list of key environmental terms, approved by our project team to ensure accuracy and relevance. Designed with usability in mind, it features an engaging format with interactive elements, including hyperlinks and multimedia resources, accessible across a range of devices. Each term is clearly defined to provide a thorough understanding of key environmental issues.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Categories
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Food
Protected Areas
Sustainable Development & Fashion & Circular Economy
Smart Agriculture & Renewable Energies
Green Building
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Environmental Policies and Institutions
International Protocol
Directive
Policy Implementation
Environmental Legislation
Climate Activism
Green Transition
European Green Deal
The European Climate Law
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Climate Change Mitigation Measures
Climate Refugeeism
Digital Strike
Green Economy
Eco-Governance
Climate Justice
Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Copenhagen Accord
Kyoto Protocol
The Conference of the Parties (COP)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
EU Waste Management Dırectıve
Sustainable Development Goals
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
Paris Agreement Compliance
Environmental Policies and Institutions
The European Environmental Bureau
Fit for 55
Energy Efficiency Directive
EU Renewable Energy Directive
Climate Action Network Europe
Institute for European Environmental Policy
European Environment Agency
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Environmental Policies and Institutions
World Wildlife Fund
GreenPeace
Friends of Earth Europe
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
The Naturefriends Movement
European Climate Foundation
EIT Climate-KIC
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Rainforest Alliance
C40 Cities
Youth and Environment Europe Network
The European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT)
World Resource Institute
OCEANA
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Global Warming
Greenhouse gases
Weather
Climate
UNFCCC
The 5R initiatives
Natural Resources Depletion
Climate Change
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Carbon cycle
Carbon market
Paleoclimate
Carbon Capture
Loss and Damage
Anthropogenic
Sink
Disaster risk management (DRM)
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Co-benefits
Ecosystem-based adaptation
Adaptation
Mitigation
Displacement
Coastal Erosion
Intergenerational equity
Climate governance
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Resilience
IPCC
Nonlinearity
Sea Level Rise
Hazard
Flood
Drought
Afforestation
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Landfill
Aerosols
Holocene
Heat Wave
Carbon neutral/ net zero
Ecoanxiety
Phenology
Ocean Acidification
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
El Niño
Cryosphere
The Montreal Protocol
Industrial revolution
Food
Local
Industrial food
Homemade food
Food
Meat-free
Planted based
Seasonal
Organic
Food
Climate-resilient
Food miles
Carbon footprint
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Biofuels
Fossil Fuel
Agrivoltaic system
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydropower
Renewable energy
Biochar
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Biodiversity
Marine Energy
Geothermal Energy
Bioenergy
Organic farming
Degraded soil, Exhausted soil
Climate-smart agriculture
Regenerative agriculture
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Saving seeds
Agroforestry
Biodynamic agriculture
Compost
Energy poverty
Intercropping
Monoculture
Seed swap
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Deforestation
Decarbonisation
Energy community
Carbon dioxide
Rotational grazing, also called adaptive multi-paddock grazing
Aquaponics
Permaculture
Desertification
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Land grabbing
Food sovereignty
Urban garden
Polyculture
Biorefinery
Green Building
Harvesting Rainwater
Energy-efficient lights
Recycled Materials
Solar Panels
Composting toilets
Natural ventilation
Green Roof
Insulation
Green Building
Green Building Certification
Sustainable Materials
Bike racks
Protected Areas
Biodiversity
Nature Reserve
Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park
Strict nature reserve
Trail
No-Go Zone
Ranger
Protected Areas
Natural monument
Habitat
Wilderness area
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Kindness to Animals
Fair Salaries
Healthy Oceans
Clean Air
Equal Rights
Clean Water
Good quality schools
Helping Others
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Ethical buying
Corporate Governance
Social Responsibility
Protecting forests
Gender equality
Affordable and clean energy
Transparency
Community participation
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Microfinance
Eco-Friendly Products
Impact investing
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Green Infrastructure
Weather preparedness
Digital Inclusion
Food Security
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Circular Economy
Bioeconomy
Blue Economy
Biodiversity
Sustainability
Recycling
Ecosystem
Conservation
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Upcycling
Renewable Energy
Eco-friendly
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Fashion
Fair Trade
Biodegradable
Fast Fashion
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Zero Waste
Eco-Fashion
Organic Cotton
Biodegradable Packaging
Ethical Fashion
Environmental Stewardship
Sustainable Design
Repurpose
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Ozone Layer
LocalSourcing
Greenwashing
Solar Power
Recyclable Materials
Composting
Sustainable Agriculture
Water Conservation
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Green Energy
Eco-Friendly Footprint
Carbon Neutral
Sustainable Practices
Waste Reduction
Fair Labor Practices
Green Building
Emission Reduction
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Reusable
Mindful Consumption
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainable Transportation
Carbon Offset
Sustainable Fashion
Clothing produced in a way that is mindful of the environment and social responsibility.
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GreenPeace
Greenpeace stands out as one of the most globally recognized environmental advocacy groups and, consequently, a significant adversary for many companies. Articulating its current mission, Greenpeace positions itself as an independent campaigning organization employing non-violent, creative confrontation to bring attention to worldwide environmental issues and compel solutions for a green and peaceful future. The organization's overarching objective is to secure the Earth's capacity to support life in all its diversity. Greenpeace pursues this mission through activities such as whistle-blowing, raising awareness, public education, and engaging in political lobbying. Despite its effectiveness, Greenpeace deviates in many aspects from the typical characteristics of environmental groups.
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Healthy Oceans
Oceans full of life and kept clean so that marine life can thrive.
Heat Wave
While there is no universally accepted definition, heat waves are understood to be periods of unusually hot and dry or hot and humid weather that have a subtle onset and cessation, a duration of at least two–three days, usually with a discernible impact on human and natural systems.
Climate
The typical weather conditions of a specific region over a given period of time, with a 1 minimum period of 20–30 years.
Biodegradable Packaging
Packaging that breaks down naturally and doesn't harm the environment.
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Carbon footprint
it refers to the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted during the production, transportation and consumption of a particular kind of food.
Co-benefits
The positive effects that climate action aimed at one objective may have on others.
For example, a mitigation action like enhancing the conservation of an ecosystem as a sink also increases the ecosystem's resilience and adaptive capacity and allows human systems to use the ecosystem services.
Environmental Stewardship
Taking responsibility for protecting and managing the environment.
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Greenwashing
False or misl1eading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or company.
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Green Economy
Green economy refers to a an economy that all components of the economy is respectful of conserving the natural resources and using materials and energy in a efficient way. It is like a big friendly market where all people are careful about the environment and the planet, without waste or maximum efficiency. In green economies, businesses and people buy and sell things that are not harming the Earth. Green economies use less water and energy, they reuse and recycle more, and they ensure that animals and plants are safe. This way, our air and water are clean, and there is enough of everything for everyone in our future.
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Eco-Friendly Products
Things we use that are made in a way that doesn't have an impact on the environment.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are items like recycled cans and bottles that are repurposed to create new items, such as building supplies.
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Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Mitigation and Adaptation are two complementary ways people can respond to climate change. Mitigation is action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the amount of warming our planet will experience. Adaptation is action to help people adjust to the current and future effects of climate change.
Global Initiatives are the global efforts to combat climate change.
Organic farming
Organic farming is a method of farming where, instead of chemical fertilisers, natural waste is used to nourish the soil. Organic foods are produced in more environmentally friendly ways that benefit the environment instead of harming it. These natural methods elevate the quality of soil and reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and pollution.
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Carbon market
A trading system in which reduced emissions or captured concentrations of greenhouse gases are traded,exchanged, bought and/or sold.
Coastal Erosion
Erosion of coastal landforms that results from wave action, exacerbated by storm surge and sea level rise.
Local
Local food is food that is produced and consumed in a local ares.
Meat-free
Is food and meals that does not contain meat.
Sustainable Design
Creating products with consideration for their environmental impact.
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Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Ecosystems provide essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil, which are fundamental for sustainability.
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Climate Refugeeism
Throughout history, people have left their homes for various reasons like money, society, politics, and culture. The most serious reason is environmental issues. Changes in how we use nature, especially since the introduction of new ways of doing things, have led to running out of important resources and seasons not being the same anymore. This has made people move from where they live to other places. Talking about big movements caused by environmental problems globally has been happening since the 1980s. A major issue caused by things people do is climate change. Because climate change can directly mess up how and where people live, it has led to a new kind of issue called "climate refugees." These are different from the usual refugees we hear about.
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Mindful Consumption
Being aware of the environmental and social impact of one's purchases and choices.
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The Conference of the Parties (COP)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is essentially a global summit under the UNFCCC where countries unite to address climate change. Participants include nations' representatives, environmental experts, and sometimes NGOs and private sector entities. They assess progress against climate goals, negotiate agreements to reduce carbon emissions, and collaborate on solutions to limit global warming. Essentially, COP serves as both a forum for discussing climate policy and a mechanism for holding countries accountable to their environmental commitments, playing a crucial role in global efforts to safeguard the environment for future generations.
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Equal Rights
To make sure that everyone is treated fairly, no matter what their race, their gender or where they come from.
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Affordable and clean energy
Finding ways to make sure everyone has enough energy to use without harming the planet.
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
In this section, you will discover the main terms related to sustainable agriculture, alternative practices currently used to protect the environment and the main terms related to renewable energy and alternative sources of energy production.
Permaculture
Permaculture is a method of farming that involves caring for the earth and the earth’s natural systems, providing for people to use the resources they need and returning waste to the earth’s natural systems.
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Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol translates the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change into action by mandating industrialized nations and transitioning economies to limit and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adhering to specified individual targets. In contrast, the Convention primarily urges these countries to adopt mitigation policies and periodically report on their progress.
Aligned with the principles and structure of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol adopts an annex-based framework. Its obligations exclusively apply to developed nations, emphasizing the concept of "common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities." This recognition stems from the acknowledgment that developed nations bear a significant responsibility for the current elevated levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere.
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Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Greenhouse gas regulations refer to laws and procedures designed to decrease and control the greenhouse gas emissions, which are highly contributing to global warming and climate change. These laws and regulations are implemented by governments at local, regional and international levels, aiming to mitigate the harmful effect of greenhouse gas emissions from various fields, such as energy, transportation and agriculture areas. Some of the examples for these regulations are emissions caps, carbon pricing mechanisms, regulatory standards on emissions, land use regulations, reporting requirements and incentives for technology in low carbon emission technologies.
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Climate-resilient
Is foodsystems, that can grown after the have been floated etc. because of climate changes.
No-Go Zone
Areas in protected places where humans are not allowed to go, so nature can be left alone.
Adaptation
The process of adjusting human systems to the actual or expected climate and its effects.
Geothermal Energy
It relies on the heat derived from the subsurface of the earth.
Geothermal energy is heat produced in the earth’s core, including groundwater. Among the main advantages:
geothermal energy does not depend on weather conditions and has very high-capacity factors; it has long-term financial savings; Minimal maintenance; it is ecological and reduces energy dependency;It does not depend on energy prices.
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Seasonal
Refers to food that is available and in season at a particular time of the year.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment. It is a synergy between fish and plants. This method relies on fish waste to be used as an organic nutrient solution to grow vegetables. In a system, water flows from the fish tank into a biofilter where bacteria break down the fish waste into an organic nutrient solution for the growing vegetables.
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Deforestation
Deforestation is the clearing, or cutting down, of forests. The word is normally used to describe the actions of humans in removing forests from the planet, rather than destruction caused by such natural events as hurricanes. Deforestation implies the long-term or permanent loss of forest cover and implies transformation into another land use.
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Carbon Capture
The collection and transport of concentrated CO2 gas from large emission sources, such as power plants.
Climate governance
Voluntary mechanisms and measures aimed at directing social systems towards preventing, mitigating or adapting to the risks of climate change. Climate governance also enables social actors to participate in the different decision-making processes and the implementation of climate actions.
Green Building
Constructing structures with minimal impact on the environment.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Farming methods that protect the environment and promote long-term viability.
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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) represents a global initiative to address the challenges posed by our changing climate. Formulated as a response to the 1threat of global warming, the UNFCCC was adopted during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Its primary goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere at levels that prevent harmful interference with the planet's climate. As of May 2000, 184 countries had officially ratified the UNFCCC. The convention facilitates collaborative efforts among nations to share technology and implement sub-programs targeting various sectors like energy production, transportation, industry, agriculture, forestry, and waste management. These initiatives aim to mitigate climate change impacts stemming from human activities.
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Institute for European Environmental Policy
The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is a non-profit, independent policy studies institute and environmental think tank. It specializes in analyzing and shaping environmental policies in Europe and globally. Headquartered in Brussels, the institute has a branch office in London and collaborates with a network of partners across various countries, particularly within the EU. These partners comprise universities, environmental and professional associations spanning diverse sectors, research institutes, and consultancies. IEEP is actively involved in addressing immediate concerns as well as conducting comprehensive, long-term strategic studies.
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Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Climate adaptation strategies are approaches implemented to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human-made systems against the harmful impact of the climate change. Adaptation strategies aim to minimize the damage and make use of potential opportunities resulting from climate change. Even though these strategies vary by region and the impacts experienced, some adaptation strategies are coastal protection via sea walls, agricultural adaptation via resilient crop varieties and urban planning for adaptation.
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Nonlinearity
A process is called nonlinear when there is no simple proportional relation between cause and effect.
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is a leading non-profit focused on the intersection of environmental factors and human health in the European Union and beyond. With over 80 member organizations representing diverse stakeholders across 53 countries, HEAL shapes laws and policies to promote planetary and human health, particularly for those most impacted by pollution. Their advocacy emphasizes the health benefits of environmental action. As an independent alliance, HEAL brings expert evidence from the health community to influence EU and global decision-making, aiming to inspire disease prevention and advocate for a toxic-free, low-carbon, fair, and healthy future. Notably, HEAL remains politically neutral and free from commercial interests, securing funding from the European Union, governments, private foundations, and memberships excluding sources with commercial interests.
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Water Conservation
Efficient use and management of water resources to reduce waste.
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National Park
A large, unique area that protects a wide variety of plants and animals, and other natural elements.
Sustainable Materials
Construction materials derived from easily grown or found materials, such as straw or bamboo.
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Reusable
Products or items that can be used multiple times instead of being thrown away after a single use.
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Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry systems there are both ecological and economical interactions between the different components. Agroforestry can also be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.
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The European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT)
The European Climate Adaptation Platform, Climate-ADAPT, operates as a collaboration between the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA), with maintenance by the EEA and support from the European Topic Centre on Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation (ETC/CCA). With a primary goal of assisting Europe in adapting to climate change, Climate-ADAPT facilitates user access to data and information on anticipated climate change, current and future regional and sectoral vulnerabilities, EU, national, and transnational adaptation strategies, case studies, potential adaptation options, and planning tools. Organizing information under key categories such as EU Policy, Countries, Transnational regions, Cities, Knowledge, European Climate and Health Observatory, and Networks, the platform features a quality-checked database for easy searchability. In essence, Climate-ADAPT serves as a comprehensive resource to aid climate adaptation efforts across various domains in Europe.
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Mitigation
Human actions that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for example eliminating the burning of fossil fuel.
Weather preparedness
Preparing for different types of weather, such as rainstorms or hot days, so we can stay safe and comfortable.
Renewable Energy
A large, unique area that protects a wide variety of plants and animals, and other natural elements.
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Green Roof
A green roof is a roof that is covered in plants to help cool buildings and give insects and birds a place to live.
Renewable energy
Energy is renewable when its source is based on using inexhaustible natural resources, such as the sun, wind, water, or biomass. Renewable energy does not use fossil fuels but natural resources that are constantly replenished and do not produce greenhouse gases, the main drivers of climate change. Like fossil fuels, renewable energy can produce electricity, heat, gas, and biofuels without releasing greenhouse gases.
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Composting
Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich soil conditioner.
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Fit for 55
The European climate law says it's a must to cut EU emissions by at least 55% by 2030, making it a legal duty. EU countries are creating new laws to meet this goal and make the EU climate-friendly by 2050. The Fit for 55 package has ideas to change and add new laws to match the climate goals set by the Council and the European Parliament. This package aims for a fair transition, keeps innovation strong, and makes sure EU industries compete fairly globally. It wants the EU to lead in fighting climate change worldwide. The goal is to have good laws that make sure the EU reaches its climate targets in a fair and balanced way.
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Helping Others
Helping others is an important way to show kindness and make the world a better place. It can be as simple as sharing a toy or as big as volunteering to help people in need.
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Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
In this section, you will discover the main terms related to sustainable agriculture, alternative practices currently used to protect the environment and the main terms related to renewable energy and alternative sources of energy production.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and natural processes. It is a holistic, systems-based approach that seeks to create resilient and regenerative agricultural systems that restore and replenish natural resources. Regenerative farmers use a variety of practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and the integration of livestock to improve soil health, conserve water, and promote biodiversity.
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Protecting forests
Caring for trees and forests so that animals have a home and the air stays clean.
Food
We need food every day, because our body need it as a car need petrol og electicity. We need carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins, which we get through food, for our bodies to feel good.
We feel hunger and want to eat food.
Monoculture
The agricultural practice of cultivating a single crop over a whole farm or area. This is very common in modern agriculture, as it simplifies the farm and allows relatively few people to harvest large amounts. Nevertheless, monocultures have negative impacts as Pests and diseases that attack only one kind of plant can spread more easily when they only find that kind.
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Homemade food
Homemade food is food that we make at home. It is food that is not prefabricated and it is food that we prepare ourselves, for example when we make a homemade pizza or bake buns.
Gender equality
Making sure that everyone is treated the same, regardless of gender, and that everyone has the same opportunities.
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Paleoclimate
The study of previous climates that have existed during Earth’s different geologic ages.
Wildlife Sanctuary
A secure environment where animals may reside comfortably and unconcerned.
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Intergenerational equity
Equity between generations that recognizes that the effects of past and current emissions, vulnerabilities and policies impose costs and benefits on people in the future and across generations.
Sea Level Rise
Increases in the height of the sea with respect to a specific point on land.
Circular Economy
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EU Waste Management Dırectıve
The Waste Framework Directive of the European Union is like a set of rules that tells the countries in the European Union the ways and methods to handle the trash. It aims to reduce the waste we create and incentivizes reusing and recycling. The rules in the directive also say that countries need to be careful with dangerous waste to keep people and environment safe. Also, it has rules on the ways of collecting and treating the batteries and old electronics in a safe and proper way, so that they don’t harm the environment.
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Global Warming
Refers to an increase in global temperature that has been recorded over a period of 30 years or more. It is generally expressed in relation to the levels that existed before the Industrial Revolution.
Food miles
Is the distance that food from the point of production to the point of consumption.
Copenhagen Accord
The Copenhagen Accord is a special agreement among countries about climate change. It's not like a strict law, but more like an agreement where everyone tries to agree. Some countries didn't fully agree with it, but they acknowledged its existence. The Accord continues the work of the Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC, setting a goal to limit how much the world's temperature can increase. It also talks about checking gases that make the Earth warmer. The agreement says rich and developing countries must say what they will do to reduce pollution.
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Biorefinery
A biorefinery is a facility (or network of facilities) that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce transportation biofuels, power, and chemicals from biomass.
Natural ventilation
Bringing in fresh air into buildings without the use of power by opening windows and opening air vents.
Corporate Governance
The rules and practices that ensure companies are run fairly and honestly, with clear rules and decision-making processes.
Land grabbing
Land grabbing occurs when a large portion of land that is considered 'unused' is sold to third parties, companies or governments in other countries without the consent of the communities that live there or that have been using it, often for years, to cultivate and produce their food.
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Energy poverty
Energy poverty is the lack of access to sustainable or modern energy services and products. It is also when a community lacks adequate, affordable, reliable, quality, safe,
and environmentally sound energy services to support development48. This situation results in poor service provision, such as a lack of energy to power healthcare facilities, poor lighting, limited or no quality energy for schools, and a lack of safe water for communities.
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Composting toilets
Specialized toilets that convert waste into compost, which is used for feeding plant life.
Youth and Environment Europe Network
Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) is a pan-European network uniting environmental youth NGOs across 25 countries. It focuses on empowering young people through advocacy for climate justice and promoting inclusive youth participation in environmental decision-making. YEE emphasizes non-formal education, intersectionality, and tackles environmental issues with social inequality and discrimination in mind. It offers resources, organizes events, and supports young people to engage meaningfully in climate and environmental actions, fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing on the climate crisis.
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European Green Deal
Environmental legislation holds significant importance in both domestic and international legal frameworks worldwide. Its roots extend back to the 18th century, notably in European countries like Finland, France, and Germany, where early acts aimed at enhancing natural resource conservation were enacted. The 1870s witnessed the rise of nature conservation ideology, leading to the establishment of national park and forest protection laws in the United States. From the 1960s onward, escalating environmental pollution, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization, prompted developed nations to formulate legislation addressing pollution control in air, water, and land. The concept of sustainable development gained traction in the late 1980s, causing a shift in focus from pollution treatment to prevention and holistic natural resource management. Concurrently, there was a growing emphasis on national legislation to address international environmental issues. Today, environmental legislation has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive framework, acknowledging its limitations in effective application. Developing countries are progressively improving their environmental legislation to address the complex challenges posed by environmental issues.
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Climate Justice
Climate justice is a concept referring to the acknowledgement of climate change not only as an environmental issue, but also a social, economic, and a political issue, emphasizing the impacts of the climate change being not borne fairly or equally, with poorest and most vulnerable groups facing the greatest of risks. Climate justice, thus, calls for solutions that address these disparities, ensuring equal access to the benefits of the climate action and fair share of the climate change burdens. The concept also advocates for rights of indigenous peoples, disadvantaged communities and developing nations, arguing that these groups are the most impacted by climate change in environmental, societal and economic terms.
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Fair Labor Practices
Treating workers fairly and ethically in terms of wages, working conditions, and rights.
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Disaster risk management (DRM)
Processes for designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies,
policies, and measures to improve the understanding of disaster risk,
foster disaster risk reduction and transfer, and promote continuous improvement in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery practices.
Conservation
The practice of protecting and preserving the natural environment, including its resources and biodiversity. In the context of sustainability, conservation efforts aim to sustainably manage natural resources for future generations.
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Green Building Certification
A unique designation indicating a building's positive effects on the environment and public health.
Sink
Is a reservoir where greenhouse gases are stored. They may be natural or the result of human activity in land and marine ecosystems.
Wind energy
It is obtained from the wind/moving air. Wind turbines create energy through movement, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. It can be produced on land and at sea. Wind energy can be used for the production of electrical energy. It is also used to pump water for agricultural needs. Wind energy is renewable. It is carbon free source of energy and approximately 8% of the turbine components can be recycled or reused.It is applicable to urban, rural and off-grid locations. Wind turbines have a long service life and supports job creation.
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Ocean Acidification
Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in seawater causing a measurable increase in acidity.
Natural Resources Depletion
Occurs when resources are taken from the environment quicker than they are replenished.
Climate Activism
Climate activism is diverse; it mobilises people to take indirect actions aimed at putting pressure on economic and political actors, as well as direct efforts to make individual behavioural changes. In other words, it means raising awareness of the problem of climate change, taking actions to recognise and address this problem and waging a climate struggle. Today, climate activism is also carried out effectively in the digital environment with the influence of technology. "Digital strikes" increase the sensitivity on the issue and make the perspective of decision makers more constructive.
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BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
Bird migration stands as one of the awe-inspiring marvels in the natural realm. BirdLife collaborates with local communities along Flyways, adopting an integrated approach to safeguard birds and biodiversity effectively. Their strategic focus revolves around Species, Sites, Society, and Systems, forging connections between birds, habitats, nature, and people. Through this approach, they address the root causes of environmental degradation, promoting changes in behavior and choices to secure a future for our children and grandchildren.
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Climate Change
Climate change is identified by variability in climate properties that persists for a prolonged period and can be identified through statistical tests. Climate change may be caused by natural internal processes or by external forces, such as volcanic eruptions or persistent anthropogenic actions.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Making sure everyone is safe and treated fairly, and that governments and organisations work well to solve problems.
Eco-Friendly Footprint
The impact a person or product has on the environment.
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Organic Cotton
Cotton grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
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The Naturefriends Movement
The Naturefriends movement, established in 1895, ranks among the largest non-governmental organizations globally. With 350,000 members organized in local groups, they are represented through regional, federal, and national associations. Naturefriends International (NFI), serving as the umbrella organization for around 45 national member organizations, is a member of the Green 10, a platform comprising the ten largest European environmental NGOs.
Internationally oriented and guided by ecological and sociopolitical values, Naturefriends operate as a democratically structured movement. Their commitment lies in promoting sustainable development at regional, national, and global levels for both the environment and society. They advocate for environmentally and socially equitable tourism and leisure activities, safeguarding natural and cultural heritages, and fostering internationality and solidarity.
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Biochar
Biochar is a type of charcoal added to soil that acts as plant food, or fertilizer. Biochar is made by heating biomass like wood in an oven to very high temperatures. This removes all of the water and easy to burn material from the biomass leaving only carbon. The final result is fragile and dark black charcoal.
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Weather
Atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation.
Green Energy
Energy produced from renewable sources with minimal environmental impact.
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Microfinance
Providing small amounts of credit to people who don't have much money, to help them start businesses or improve their lives.
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Environmental Policies and Institutions are the rules and organizations set up by governments and groups to handle environmental problems. These rules help manage issues like pollution, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. The institutions, which can be government or non-government groups, are important for creating, enforcing, and making sure these rules work. The goals are to encourage practices that don't harm the environment, save natural resources, and encourage everyone to take care of the environment. These policies and institutions are like a plan that people and groups follow to keep the Earth healthy and sustainable for now and the future.
Recyclable Materials
Materials that can be collected, processed, and used again.
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Paris Agreement Compliance
The Treaty of Paris, officially known as the Paris Agreement, marks a significant achievement in environmental multilateralism. Adopted by 197 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the agreement reflects a notable achievement, addressing earlier skepticism about the international community's dedication to collective action through a legally binding instrument. The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement is contingent upon three interconnected elements: participation, ambition, and compliance. While broad participation is essential to address climate issues, striking a balance between inclusive involvement and substantive commitment is crucial. The agreement achieves this balance by imposing primarily administrative and procedural obligations of a legally binding nature, allowing parties considerable discretion in determining the substantive content of their contributions to the fight against climate change.
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Bike racks
Locations to store bicycles to promote riding rather than driving.
EIT Climate-KIC
EIT Climate-KIC, functioning as a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), endeavors to narrow the gap between climate commitments and the present reality. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, they identify and endorse innovations that aid society in mitigating and adapting to climate change. They assert that a decarbonized, sustainable economy is not only imperative to avert catastrophic climate change but also presents abundant opportunities for both business and society. In the role of convener, they unite partners from business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors, fostering networks of expertise. Through these collaborative networks, innovative products, services, and systems are conceptualized, developed, and scaled-up to make a substantial impact. Leveraging their convening power, EIT Climate-KIC assembles the most effective groups to drive innovation and instigate systemic change.
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Desertification
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines the term desertification as ‘land degradation in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities’. Desertification is a dynamic process that is observed in dry and fragile ecosystems. It affects terrestrial areas (topsoil, earth,groundwater reserves, surface runoff), animal and plant populations, as well as human settlements and their amenities.
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EU Renewable Energy Directive
The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is an important rule from the European Union (EU) that wants countries to use more renewable energy. It tells each EU country to have a certain amount of energy from renewable sources. The rule focuses on things like biofuels for cars and making sure these sources are good for the environment and society. It also creates a system for showing where renewable energy comes from. The RED encourages using renewable energy in heating, cooling, and buildings, making our homes and offices greener. Overall, it's about making sure EU countries use more clean and sustainable energy.
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Energy community
Energy communities allow local communities to join forces and invest in clean energy. Acting as a single entity means energy communities can access all suitable energy markets on a level-playing field with other market actors. . Energy communities can be an effective means of re-structuring our energy systems, by empowering citizens to drive the energy transition locally and directly benefit from better energy efficiency, lower bills, reduced energy poverty and more local green job opportunities.
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Holocene
The geological epoch that covers the last 11,000 years.
Phenology
The timing of natural events, such as flower blooms and animal migration, which is influenced by changes in climate. Phenology is the study of such important seasonal events.
Natural monument
A natural monument is a landmark, either cultural or natural, that has exceptional or unique value due to its cultural significance, essential value, or representative aesthetic attributes.
Carbon Neutral
Balancing the amount of carbon emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere.
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Marine Energy
Tides, waves, salinity gradients, and currents can be used to produce electricity.
This energy can be harnessed through a tidal barrage also known as a tidal dam or offshore turbines which use the power of moving water to generate electricity. > Does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. This energy does not use fuel, provides reliable electricity, maintenance is inexpensive, offshore turbines are not too expensive to build and do not have a large environmental impact.
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Green Transition
Green transition refers to a global shift from using fossil fuels or environmentally harmful materials to sustainable and eco-friendly energy resources and methods in production. It includes renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, increased energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The main aim is to decrease carbon emission, prevent climate change and protect the natural ecosystems. This transition is very important for a sustainable future for our generations, and a balance between the health of our world and human activities.
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Bioeconomy
Involves the sustainable production and use of biological resources, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, to provide products, services, energy, and food.
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Climate-smart agriculture
A means of farming that responds to climate change, by adapting and building resilience in the farming practices reducing and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, while providing the farmer income.
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Ethical buying
Making sure the things we buy are made in a way that is good for people and the planet.
Industrial food
Industrially produced food is food that is made in a factory or in a commercial kitchen. You can buy it in a store as a ready-made dish and just heat it up when you get home. Industrially produced food can contain more fat, sugar and salt than home-made food, and is therefore not always healthy.
Eco-Fashion
Clothing made with environmentally friendly materials and processes.
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The European Climate Law
The European Climate Law enshrines the European Green Deal's objective for Europe to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 into law. Additionally, it establishes an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030, relative to 1990 levels. Climate neutrality by 2050 involves achieving a balance between emitted and removed greenhouse gases through emission cuts, investments in green technologies, and environmental preservation. This law aims to align all EU policies with the climate neutrality goal, ensuring active participation from every sector of the economy and society. Its objectives include providing a clear direction for meeting the 2050 climate neutrality objective, setting a more ambitious EU 2030 target, implementing a monitoring system for progress, offering predictability for investors, and ensuring the irreversible nature of the transition to climate neutrality.
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Drought
A period of abnormally dry weather long enough to cause a serious hydrological imbalance.
Ethical Fashion
Clothing produced with consideration for fair labor practices and worker conditions.
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Food Security
To make sure that everyone has enough healthy food to eat, no matter where they live or how much they can afford to spend.
Nature Reserve
A designated area where nature, plants, and animals are safeguarded because they are valuable and require care.
Clean Water
Water without dirt or harmful chemicals that's safe to drink and swim in.
Sustainable Practices
Actions or behaviors that support long-term environmental health.
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Food sovereignty
Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food. It emphasizes ecologically appropriate production, distribution and consumption, social-economic justice, and local food systems as ways to tackle hunger and poverty and guarantee sustainable food security for all peoples.
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Fast Fashion
Quick and inexpensive trends in clothing production that often result in environmental harm.
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Biodynamic agriculture
Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture very similar to organic farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). Initially developed in 1924, it was the first of the organic agriculture movements. It treats soil fertility, plant growth, and livestock care as ecologically interrelated tasks.
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Carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are a key dominant factor responsible for climate change. Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common GHG, responsible for approximately 76% of emissions.
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OCEANA
Oceana is an international organization working on the conservation of the World’s oceans. Their mission is to advocate for well-informed policy making for protecting our oceans, the biodiversity and combat threats like destruction of sea habitats, excessive fishing and pollution. Oceana works globally, organizing strategic campaigns for biodiversity in our oceans.
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Recycling
The process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling is a key element of the circular economy and helps conserve resources and reduce waste.
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Upcycling
Turning old or discarded items into new, useful products.
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Biofuels
Fuel made from biomass—that is, plant or algae material or animal waste—is known as biofuel. Since biomass can easily be replenished, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
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Degraded soil, Exhausted soil
Soil that is no longer able to support crops or other plant life due to loss of nutrients in the soil. Soil erosion is a part of soil degradation. It's when the topsoil and nutrients are lost either naturally, such as via wind erosion, or due to human actions, such as poor land management.
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European Environment Agency
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is one of the 11 special groups in the European Union (EU), and it's spread out in different countries of the Union. The EEA's goal is to give clear and reliable information for people working on European and national environmental policies, as well as for the public. They use existing data and work with countries and European groups to organize the information in a way that's helpful. The primary roles of the European Environment Agency encompass networking, monitoring, and reporting on the condition and future outlook of the environment. Additionally, the agency plays a key role in enabling public access to environmental information from various contributors such as the EEA, EU, Member States, businesses, NGOs, and other relevant sources.
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Digital Strike
During the pandemic, activists found a new way to fight for the environment through a "digital strike." This meant they could connect with people from all over, even those outside big cities. With everything moving online, it became easier and cheaper for more people to join in. Imagine weekly meetings that started small and grew to over a thousand participants, all because of this digital shift. Greta Thunberg then took it to a global level with the #DigitalStrike. People shared their support on social media, making the movement spread fast. Even without physical protests, the digital strike brought climate action to our screens. It's like a big online gathering for the planet! Activists worldwide joined in, sharing ideas and information about how their countries were dealing with the pandemic. This digital connection became a strong force, uniting people globally for a common cause.
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Bioenergy
The use of bioenergy is divided into two main categories: traditional and modern.
Traditional use refers to the combustion of biomass in forms such as wood, animal waste, and traditional charcoal.
Modern bioenergy technologies include liquid biofuels such as bioethanol produced from wooden pellets and other plants, biorefineries, biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of waste, wood pellet heating systems and other technologies.
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ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
This category introduces concepts related to caring for the environment, being kind to others, and making good choices for the future. It includes terms about protecting nature, treating people fairly and making positive changes in the world. Understanding these terms helps us learn how to be responsible citizens of the planet and make the world a better place for everyone.
Sustainable Development:
Taking care of the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Aerosols
Small particles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere that can absorb or reflect sunlight depending on their composition.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
The EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) is like a big plan that helps many European countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, fight climate change. It's a smart way to reduce greenhouse gases, which are bad for the environment, and it started in 2005. The EU ETS is the world's largest system where countries can trade their emissions. Here's how it works: there's a limit on how much greenhouse gas can be made, and this limit gets smaller over time. Companies can get or buy allowances to emit gases, and they can trade these allowances. This helps companies cut emissions where it's easiest and cheapest. It's like a cool teamwork plan to fight climate change and use cleaner technologies. To be super climate-friendly by 2050, the EU is thinking about making the plan even better.
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Community participation
Talking to and working with the people who live in the places where we do business to make sure everyone's needs are met.
Insulation
Insulation is the special material used in ceilings and walls to keep a structure cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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Anthropogenic
The effect, outcome or process of human activity.
Intercropping
Intercropping is growing two or more crops next to each other at the same time. The main purpose of intercropping is to produce more crops in a given area. It also makes use of resources (nutrients) that would otherwise not be used by a single crop. Crops are selected such that their nutrient requirements are different. This way, the crops can give the same returns but require less space.
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Ozone Layer
A layer of ozone high up in the Earth's atmosphere that protects life on Earth by absorbing the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
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Landfill
Land waste disposal site in which waste is generally spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with a fresh layer of soil each day.
UNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty addressing climate change.
It was signed by 154 states at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 with the aim of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system.
Strict nature reserve
A strict nature reserve or wilderness area is a special kind of protected place that's kept very safe for nature. It's like giving nature its own secret place where plants and animals can live freely without anyone disturbing them. These places are very important for keeping nature safe and healthy.
Afforestation
Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.
Sustainable Development Goals
Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, serve as a universal call to action. These 17 integrated goals address poverty, hunger, AIDS, discrimination against women and girls, and aim for peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Acknowledging the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental factors, the SDGs emphasize progress prioritization for those furthest behind. Achieving these goals requires the collective contribution of creativity, knowhow, technology, and financial resources from all sectors of society, emphasizing the need for comprehensive collaboration in diverse contexts.
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Loss and Damage
The adverse effects of climate variability and climate change that people have not managed to cope with or adapt to.
World Wildlife Fund
WWF, which stands for the World Wildlife Fund, operates as a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of the natural environment and the safeguarding of global wildlife. Engaging in diverse activities like research, education, advocacy, and conservation projects, WWF focuses on various initiatives. These include combating climate change, preserving critical ecosystems like forests, and protecting endangered species such as tigers, elephants, and whales. Additionally, the organization advocates for sustainable fishing practices. Collaborating with governments, businesses, and communities worldwide, WWF strives to encourage more sustainable practices and policies. With a substantial history of partnering with businesses to advance sustainability, WWF has developed tools and frameworks to assist companies in measuring and mitigating their environmental impact.
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Digital Inclusion
Ensuring that no one is left behind by making sure everyone has access to things like computers and the internet.
Harvesting Rainwater
Collecting rainwater from the roof to water plants and gardens.
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Solar energy
Solar energy is produced by the sun's rays. There are two types of solar energy: Solar thermal energy, which relies on the sun to produce heat, and Photovoltaic (PV) energy, which provides light that is converted into electricity through photovoltaic panels. Solar energy can be used for electricity generation, lighting, water heating, and industrial use.
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Carbon neutral/ net zero
Becoming carbon neutral can be achieved by removing or eliminating the same amount of greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere.
Fair Salaries
If people work hard, they should be paid enough money to support themselves and their families. Fair salaries mean that everyone is treated fairly and has enough money to buy the things they need.
Climate Change Mitigation Measures
Climate change mitigation measures refers to policies, strategies, procedures and actions from governments and institutions in order to decrease the harmful effects of climate change, reduce the greenhouse effect, and slow down or prevent the global warming and its effects. These measures include transition actions to renewable energy, carbon tax, reforestation actions, sustainable transportation, and international co-operations for climate change.
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The Montreal Protocol
is an international environmental agreement, signed in 1987, which aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Agrivoltaic system
A system that is based on the simultaneous use of areas of land either for solar energy production via a photovoltaic system or for agriculture or grazing.
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The 5R initiatives
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.
Industrial revolution
Was a significant period in Europe and North America, beginning in the 18th century, which saw a transition from agrarian economies to those characterised by technological advancements and industrial manufacturing.
Ranger
A special person who takes care of conservation areas and helps to protect plants and animals.
Rotational grazing, also called adaptive multi-paddock grazing
A practice where grazing land is divided into segments called paddocks, with the grazing animals (cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys) moved from paddock to paddock every
few days. The forage grasses, both introduced and native grasses and forbs, are allowed to rejuvenate while the paddock is resting between grazing periods resulting in less soil erosion. It also results in a higher quality and a greater output of grasses. The resulting grasslands are much healthier.
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Hydropower
Hydropower uses moving water that goes through turbines to generate electricity.
Dams and reservoirs can be used to store water for short or long periods, which will later be used to meet energy needs. Hydropower is flexible because the flow of water passing through the turbines can be adapted to the electricity needs. Nevertheless, construction cost are high and can have adverse effect on flora, fauna, and nearby communities.
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Sustainable Transportation
Using eco-friendly ways to get from one place to another, like walking, biking, or using public transportation.
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Polyculture
Polyculture refers to the cultivation of two or more crop species in such a way that they interact biologically (Vandermeer, 1989). Traditional polyculture has been practised throughout almost all of farming history, providing food for humans, for a variety of animals, continuous ground cover and deep root systems to prevent erosion, legumes to provide natural fertilizers, and natural disease and pest control measures.
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Organic
Is food that is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Solar Panels
Unique solar panels that collect light from the sun and convert it into electrical power for buildings.
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Climate Action Network Europe
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is the foremost NGO coalition in Europe dedicated to combatting climate change. In this unique network, environmental and development organizations collaborate for joint lobby campaigns, maximizing impact. With over 200 member organizations in 40 European countries, representing 1,700 NGOs and 40 million citizens, CAN Europe advocates for sustainable climate, energy, and development policies. Members coordinate strategies on international, regional, and national climate issues, prioritizing both a healthy environment and future-focused development. CAN Europe envisions protecting the atmosphere while fostering sustainable and equitable global development.
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Green Building
The term "green building" describes the planning, development, and care of buildings in a way that is resource- and environmentally-conscious. These buildings are designed to maximize sustainability and the resident comfort at the expense of their environmental effect.
LocalSourcing
Obtaining materials or products from nearby sources to reduce transportation impact.
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Wilderness area
A protected area is like a giant nature playground! It's a large area of land or sea where everything stays wild and natural. Ιt is protected so that the plants, animals and all the special parts of nature can stay as they are.
Zero Waste
Minimizing the generation of waste during production and consumption.
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Trail
A path or track through a protected area where people can walk or hike to see plants and animals.
C40 Cities
C40 Cities is a network of cities, coming together from around the globe to take action in climate change, acting as example cities for a healthier and more sustainable urban life for our future. It promotes the important role of cities and their governments in the our efforts against climate change, and it organizes projects and activities for collaboration and cooperation among cities. Members of this network include many megacities in the World, that are committed to implement meaningful actions in their locals, creating a global impact together on climate change.
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Urban garden
Urban agriculture refers to various practices of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in urban areas. The term also applies to the area activities of animal husbandry, aquaculture, beekeeping, and horticulture in an urban context. Urban agriculture is distinguished from peri-urban agriculture, which takes place in rural areas at the edge of suburbs.
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Sustainable Development and fashion and Circular Economy
"Sustainable Development and Fashion in a Circular Economy," means making and using clothes in a smart way that doesn't hurt the planet. We make clothes that last longer, we recycle old clothes into new ones, and we make sure the way we create them is fair and safe for the people making them.
Blue Economy
The blue economy is the "sustainable use of ocean resourcesfor economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem."
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Hazard
The potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event or trend or physical impact that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, ecosystems and environmental resources.
Policy Implementation
Policy implementation refers to putting plans into action on governmental level. Policies might cover a range of topics, from environment to regulation of workers rights, and policy implementation means bringing these plans into the real life. As for environmental policy implementation, this means considering the climate change and environmental strategies into policy documents, thus making a plan, and making them a reality. For instance, if a government decides that they want to decrease the carbon emissions, the implementation of this policy would mean to create mechanisms, plans and programs to reduce carbon emissions, such as incentivizing the use of public transportation instead of individual cars. It is mainly about taking ideas and promises in fighting climate change and deciding on steps to make them happen, via rules, funding and educations.
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Fair Trade
Ensuring that producers in developing countries receive fair payment for their goods.
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Saving seeds
How seeds traditionally were handled by farmers and gardeners whereby some of the seeds from the current year were saved for planting in the next year. This cannot be done successfully with hybrid seeds and seeds from GMO crops.
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Transparency
To be open and honest about the activities of the business and its impact on people and the environment.
Kindness to Animals
Treating animals with care and respect, such as making sure they have enough food and a safe place to live.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is global partnership of various countries across the World, including international institutions, NGOs, companies and other key stakeholders working together in environmental issues. GEF organizes projects on biodiversity, climate change, sea pollution, land use on a global scale. They provided more than $20 billion in funds for more than 5000 projects in 170 countries.
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Energy-efficient lights
Lamps that produce light and warmth in a room while using less electricity.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Energy Efficiency Directive
Making sure we use energy wisely is super important for the EU's plan to fight climate change. Energy efficiency is like using energy in smart ways to help the environment, keep energy prices fair, and make sure we have enough for the future. The EU set a big goal to cut how much greenhouse gas we make, and to reach this, they updated the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). It's like a set of rules to make sure everyone uses energy in the best way possible. The new rules say that using energy wisely should always be the first thing we think about when making big decisions about energy. This is a big step in making sure the EU reaches its goals and doesn't depend too much on energy from certain places.
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Carbon Offset
Supporting projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide to balance out the carbon emissions from certain activities.
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Food
Food consumption/ethics and waste management
Seed swap
Seed exchange is an activity mainly run by organisations, research centres and private entities that aims to conserve and reproduce seeds, outside the commercial scheme. Indeed, farmers' seed systems make food systems more resistant to climate change, pests and pathogens.
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Biodiversity
Refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. It is a key component in sustainability as it helps maintain the balance of ecosystems.
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Directive
A directive is a rule given by a leader to the others telling them a goal to be achieved, but allows them to choose their own way to reach to the goal. It is like a teacher in the class asking students to clean up, and each student choosing their own way to clean their desk. For countries, a directive is a big rule that all countries agree to follow, but each country has their own way of following this rule at home.
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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a global body that provides a platform for governments to work together to share experiences and work on solutions to common problems, such as climate change. It plays a crucial role in climate policy by analyzing and disseminating data on emissions, evaluating the effectiveness of climate strategies, and recommending relevant policies for sustainable development for key stakeholders. The OECD's insights help us to create global and national approaches to achieve a low-carbon economy, making it a key player in international area to address climate change and promote sustainable development.
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Planted based
Is food made from fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.
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Biodegradable
Materials that can break down and return to the environment.
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Green Infrastructure
Building things like parks and bike routes to help the environment and make cities better places to live.
Good quality schools
A quality school provides a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and develop new skills. Teachers play an important role in helping pupils to succeed and reach their full potential.
Carbon cycle
The term used to describe the flow of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) through the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and lithosphere.
Friends of Earth Europe
Friends of the Earth Europe constitutes the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, bringing together over 30 national organizations alongside numerous local groups. Their Brussels office assumes the role of coordinating joint campaigns within the network and advocating for EU action to safeguard both people and the planet.
Functioning as the European counterpart of Friends of the Earth International, they align with a global federation that unites more than 70 national member organizations, over 5,000 local activist groups, and garners support from over two million advocates worldwide.
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Recyclable Materials
Materials that can be collected, processed, and used again.
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Emission Reduction
Decreasing the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Evaluating the potential effects of a project or activity on the environment.
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International Protocol
International protocols are promises that countries make to each other for doing important things in an agreed way. These protocols are like a group of friends agreeing to share their toys in an equal way and play fairly. Each friend pledges to follow the rules so that everyone can have fun and play safely. International protocols work in the same way, only focusing on urgent things such as the climate change. Countries sign these protocols to promise that they work together and make the world a better place.
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Eco-friendly
Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment.
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Impact investing
Putting money into projects or businesses that make a positive difference to people and the planet, not just to make money.
Compost
Organic material, such as leaves, stalks and roots, that has decomposed and is being added to soil as a fertilizer and to rejuvenate soil.
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Repurpose
Giving new life to an item by using it in a different way than originally intended.
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IPCC
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
It was created to provide politicians with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks and to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.
Clean Air
Air that's safe and healthy to breathe, without pollution or harmful gases.
Breathing clean air is important for our health and the health of the planet. Pollution from cars and factories can make the air dirty and hard to breathe, so it's important to find ways to keep it clean.
Social Responsibility
The obligation of persons and organisations to act in ways that benefit society, including the promotion of well-being, fairness and justice.
World Resource Institute
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a research organization working on critical environmental issues across the globe. The mission of the institute is to move the lifestyle and economic activities of the humans in a way that is respectful for the environment for current and future generations. They work on projects and policies that act against climate change, conserve natural resources, decrease the environmental pollution and contribute to the environmental practices. Through data collection, research and collaboration with many actors, such as governments, businesses and other organizations, WRI develops practical solutions for environmental challenges of the World.
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Habitat
A place where plants, animals, and other creatures live and find everything they need to survive.
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The European Environmental Bureau
As the largest network of environmental citizens' organizations in Europe, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) unites over 180 member organizations across 40 countries. Our core principles revolve around championing sustainable development, environmental justice, and participatory democracy. The activities of the EEB encompass evaluating the European community's impact on the quality of life and the environment, engaging with member organizations, addressing developmental matters linked to program emphasis, and organizing general assemblies for its member organizations.
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European Climate Foundation
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) functions as a significant philanthropic initiative dedicated to advancing the net-zero transition and ensuring a sustainable planet for current and future generations. They provide support to approximately 700 partner organizations in over 100 countries, driving progress towards the Paris Agreement goals, advocating for practical policymaking in response to the climate crisis, and enhancing political and public backing for climate action. Their aim is a positive, people-centric, and socially responsible climate transition on both European and global scales. Serving as a primary European "field catalyst" in the climate action ecosystem, ECF operates at national, European, and global levels, with personnel in over 20 countries. Across 10+ European country teams, they develop localized strategies aligned with overarching priorities, contributing to fair and effective climate policies at the EU level and facilitating international collaboration for global climate progress.
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Greenhouse gases
The gaseous component of the atmosphere, which may be natural or anthropogenic. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit radiation, which causes the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases are:
Water vapour (H2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Methane (CH4)
Ozone (O3)
Decarbonisation
Decarbonisation tends to refer to the process of reducing ‘carbon intensity’, lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Generally, this involves decreasing CO2 output per unit of energy and waste generated. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide occurring due to transport, power generation and waste is essential to meet global temperature standards.
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Eco-Governance
Eco-governance refers to systems and methods used for managing environmental resources, and overcoming ecological challenges through collaborative efforts among governments, communities, NGOs and companies. It underlines the importance of sustainable development, emphasizing that the economic growth does not mean unhealthy environment. Eco-governance encompasses policies, regulations and practices that conserves the environment, promoting the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing the pollution and waste. This type of governance requires participation, accountability, inclusivity and engagement of stakeholders from various backgrounds in decision-making processes. By integrating environmental considerations into governance structures, eco-governance aims to achieve a balance between human needs and the planet's well-being, ensuring a healthier environment for current and future generations.
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Fossil Fuel
Fossil fuels are underground deposits composed of combustible organic materials formed by decomposed plants and animals, which were converted into crude oil, coal, and natural gas after being exposed for hundreds of millions of years to the heat and pressure of the earth's crust.
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El Niño
Is a climate pattern in which the surface water of the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean warms to significantly above average.
Environmental Legislation
Environmental legislation holds significant importance in both domestic and international legal frameworks worldwide. Its roots extend back to the 18th century, notably in European countries like Finland, France, and Germany, where early acts aimed at enhancing natural resource conservation were enacted. The 1870s witnessed the rise of nature conservation ideology, leading to the establishment of national park and forest protection laws in the United States. From the 1960s onward, escalating environmental pollution, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization, prompted developed nations to formulate legislation addressing pollution control in air, water, and land. The concept of sustainable development gained traction in the late 1980s, causing a shift in focus from pollution treatment to prevention and holistic natural resource management. Concurrently, there was a growing emphasis on national legislation to address international environmental issues. Today, environmental legislation has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive framework, acknowledging its limitations in effective application. Developing countries are progressively improving their environmental legislation to address the complex challenges posed by environmental issues.
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Biodiversity
All the various kinds of life that inhabit a certain area, such as a park or reserve, including plants and animals.
Resilience
The ability of human and natural systems to face a dangerous phenomenon or disturbance and to respond or reorganize so that they maintain their functionality, identity and structure, as well as conserving their capacity for adaptation, learning and transformation.
Cryosphere
The term cryosphere refers to the areas of the planet where most of the water is in a frozen form:the polar regions and high mountains.
Displacement
Forced removal of people or people obliged to flee from their places of habitual residence.
Ecoanxiety
Is anxiety caused by a dread of environmental perils, especially climate change, and a feeling of helplessness over the potential consequences for those living now and even more so for later generations.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international NGO aiming to make the responsible business models respectful of the environment the new normal for everyone. The NGO strives to protect the biodiversity, empower sustainable living and agriculture, contribute to sustainable business practices and protect the consumers. The organization works in various areas of the world, including rainforests, to conserve wildlife, promote good working conditions for workers in the agriculture and help communities manage natural resources in a sustainable way. They also certify farms, forests and tourism enterprises that meet their environmental standards.
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Flood
The overflowing of the normal confines of a stream or other body of water, or the accumulation of water over areas not normally submerged.
Ecosystem-based adaptation
An approach that seeks to protect human systems from the effects of climate change, using ecosystem services. Ecosystem-based adaptation seeks to maintain and increase resilience, and to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems.
Solar Power
Energy derived from the sun's rays.
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Transcript
Welcome to our comprehensive digital glossary of key environmental terms, a valuable resource designed specifically for students and educators. This glossary provides a carefully researched list of key environmental terms, approved by our project team to ensure accuracy and relevance. Designed with usability in mind, it features an engaging format with interactive elements, including hyperlinks and multimedia resources, accessible across a range of devices. Each term is clearly defined to provide a thorough understanding of key environmental issues.
Let's Start
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Categories
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Food
Protected Areas
Sustainable Development & Fashion & Circular Economy
Smart Agriculture & Renewable Energies
Green Building
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Environmental Policies and Institutions
International Protocol
Directive
Policy Implementation
Environmental Legislation
Climate Activism
Green Transition
European Green Deal
The European Climate Law
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Climate Change Mitigation Measures
Climate Refugeeism
Digital Strike
Green Economy
Eco-Governance
Climate Justice
Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Copenhagen Accord
Kyoto Protocol
The Conference of the Parties (COP)
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
EU Waste Management Dırectıve
Sustainable Development Goals
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
Paris Agreement Compliance
Environmental Policies and Institutions
The European Environmental Bureau
Fit for 55
Energy Efficiency Directive
EU Renewable Energy Directive
Climate Action Network Europe
Institute for European Environmental Policy
European Environment Agency
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Environmental Policies and Institutions
World Wildlife Fund
GreenPeace
Friends of Earth Europe
BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
The Naturefriends Movement
European Climate Foundation
EIT Climate-KIC
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Rainforest Alliance
C40 Cities
Youth and Environment Europe Network
The European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT)
World Resource Institute
OCEANA
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Global Warming
Greenhouse gases
Weather
Climate
UNFCCC
The 5R initiatives
Natural Resources Depletion
Climate Change
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Carbon cycle
Carbon market
Paleoclimate
Carbon Capture
Loss and Damage
Anthropogenic
Sink
Disaster risk management (DRM)
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Co-benefits
Ecosystem-based adaptation
Adaptation
Mitigation
Displacement
Coastal Erosion
Intergenerational equity
Climate governance
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Resilience
IPCC
Nonlinearity
Sea Level Rise
Hazard
Flood
Drought
Afforestation
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Landfill
Aerosols
Holocene
Heat Wave
Carbon neutral/ net zero
Ecoanxiety
Phenology
Ocean Acidification
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation & Global Initiatives
El Niño
Cryosphere
The Montreal Protocol
Industrial revolution
Food
Local
Industrial food
Homemade food
Food
Meat-free
Planted based
Seasonal
Organic
Food
Climate-resilient
Food miles
Carbon footprint
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Biofuels
Fossil Fuel
Agrivoltaic system
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydropower
Renewable energy
Biochar
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Biodiversity
Marine Energy
Geothermal Energy
Bioenergy
Organic farming
Degraded soil, Exhausted soil
Climate-smart agriculture
Regenerative agriculture
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Saving seeds
Agroforestry
Biodynamic agriculture
Compost
Energy poverty
Intercropping
Monoculture
Seed swap
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Deforestation
Decarbonisation
Energy community
Carbon dioxide
Rotational grazing, also called adaptive multi-paddock grazing
Aquaponics
Permaculture
Desertification
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
Land grabbing
Food sovereignty
Urban garden
Polyculture
Biorefinery
Green Building
Harvesting Rainwater
Energy-efficient lights
Recycled Materials
Solar Panels
Composting toilets
Natural ventilation
Green Roof
Insulation
Green Building
Green Building Certification
Sustainable Materials
Bike racks
Protected Areas
Biodiversity
Nature Reserve
Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park
Strict nature reserve
Trail
No-Go Zone
Ranger
Protected Areas
Natural monument
Habitat
Wilderness area
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Kindness to Animals
Fair Salaries
Healthy Oceans
Clean Air
Equal Rights
Clean Water
Good quality schools
Helping Others
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Ethical buying
Corporate Governance
Social Responsibility
Protecting forests
Gender equality
Affordable and clean energy
Transparency
Community participation
ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
Microfinance
Eco-Friendly Products
Impact investing
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Green Infrastructure
Weather preparedness
Digital Inclusion
Food Security
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Circular Economy
Bioeconomy
Blue Economy
Biodiversity
Sustainability
Recycling
Ecosystem
Conservation
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Upcycling
Renewable Energy
Eco-friendly
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Fashion
Fair Trade
Biodegradable
Fast Fashion
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Zero Waste
Eco-Fashion
Organic Cotton
Biodegradable Packaging
Ethical Fashion
Environmental Stewardship
Sustainable Design
Repurpose
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Ozone Layer
LocalSourcing
Greenwashing
Solar Power
Recyclable Materials
Composting
Sustainable Agriculture
Water Conservation
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Green Energy
Eco-Friendly Footprint
Carbon Neutral
Sustainable Practices
Waste Reduction
Fair Labor Practices
Green Building
Emission Reduction
Sustainable Development & fashion & Circular Economy
Reusable
Mindful Consumption
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainable Transportation
Carbon Offset
Sustainable Fashion
Clothing produced in a way that is mindful of the environment and social responsibility.
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GreenPeace
Greenpeace stands out as one of the most globally recognized environmental advocacy groups and, consequently, a significant adversary for many companies. Articulating its current mission, Greenpeace positions itself as an independent campaigning organization employing non-violent, creative confrontation to bring attention to worldwide environmental issues and compel solutions for a green and peaceful future. The organization's overarching objective is to secure the Earth's capacity to support life in all its diversity. Greenpeace pursues this mission through activities such as whistle-blowing, raising awareness, public education, and engaging in political lobbying. Despite its effectiveness, Greenpeace deviates in many aspects from the typical characteristics of environmental groups.
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Healthy Oceans
Oceans full of life and kept clean so that marine life can thrive.
Heat Wave
While there is no universally accepted definition, heat waves are understood to be periods of unusually hot and dry or hot and humid weather that have a subtle onset and cessation, a duration of at least two–three days, usually with a discernible impact on human and natural systems.
Climate
The typical weather conditions of a specific region over a given period of time, with a 1 minimum period of 20–30 years.
Biodegradable Packaging
Packaging that breaks down naturally and doesn't harm the environment.
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Carbon footprint
it refers to the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted during the production, transportation and consumption of a particular kind of food.
Co-benefits
The positive effects that climate action aimed at one objective may have on others. For example, a mitigation action like enhancing the conservation of an ecosystem as a sink also increases the ecosystem's resilience and adaptive capacity and allows human systems to use the ecosystem services.
Environmental Stewardship
Taking responsibility for protecting and managing the environment.
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Greenwashing
False or misl1eading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or company.
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Green Economy
Green economy refers to a an economy that all components of the economy is respectful of conserving the natural resources and using materials and energy in a efficient way. It is like a big friendly market where all people are careful about the environment and the planet, without waste or maximum efficiency. In green economies, businesses and people buy and sell things that are not harming the Earth. Green economies use less water and energy, they reuse and recycle more, and they ensure that animals and plants are safe. This way, our air and water are clean, and there is enough of everything for everyone in our future.
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Eco-Friendly Products
Things we use that are made in a way that doesn't have an impact on the environment.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are items like recycled cans and bottles that are repurposed to create new items, such as building supplies.
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Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation & Global Initiatives
Mitigation and Adaptation are two complementary ways people can respond to climate change. Mitigation is action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the amount of warming our planet will experience. Adaptation is action to help people adjust to the current and future effects of climate change. Global Initiatives are the global efforts to combat climate change.
Organic farming
Organic farming is a method of farming where, instead of chemical fertilisers, natural waste is used to nourish the soil. Organic foods are produced in more environmentally friendly ways that benefit the environment instead of harming it. These natural methods elevate the quality of soil and reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and pollution.
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Carbon market
A trading system in which reduced emissions or captured concentrations of greenhouse gases are traded,exchanged, bought and/or sold.
Coastal Erosion
Erosion of coastal landforms that results from wave action, exacerbated by storm surge and sea level rise.
Local
Local food is food that is produced and consumed in a local ares.
Meat-free
Is food and meals that does not contain meat.
Sustainable Design
Creating products with consideration for their environmental impact.
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Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Ecosystems provide essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soil, which are fundamental for sustainability.
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Climate Refugeeism
Throughout history, people have left their homes for various reasons like money, society, politics, and culture. The most serious reason is environmental issues. Changes in how we use nature, especially since the introduction of new ways of doing things, have led to running out of important resources and seasons not being the same anymore. This has made people move from where they live to other places. Talking about big movements caused by environmental problems globally has been happening since the 1980s. A major issue caused by things people do is climate change. Because climate change can directly mess up how and where people live, it has led to a new kind of issue called "climate refugees." These are different from the usual refugees we hear about.
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Mindful Consumption
Being aware of the environmental and social impact of one's purchases and choices.
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The Conference of the Parties (COP)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is essentially a global summit under the UNFCCC where countries unite to address climate change. Participants include nations' representatives, environmental experts, and sometimes NGOs and private sector entities. They assess progress against climate goals, negotiate agreements to reduce carbon emissions, and collaborate on solutions to limit global warming. Essentially, COP serves as both a forum for discussing climate policy and a mechanism for holding countries accountable to their environmental commitments, playing a crucial role in global efforts to safeguard the environment for future generations.
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Equal Rights
To make sure that everyone is treated fairly, no matter what their race, their gender or where they come from.
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Affordable and clean energy
Finding ways to make sure everyone has enough energy to use without harming the planet.
Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
In this section, you will discover the main terms related to sustainable agriculture, alternative practices currently used to protect the environment and the main terms related to renewable energy and alternative sources of energy production.
Permaculture
Permaculture is a method of farming that involves caring for the earth and the earth’s natural systems, providing for people to use the resources they need and returning waste to the earth’s natural systems.
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Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol translates the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change into action by mandating industrialized nations and transitioning economies to limit and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, adhering to specified individual targets. In contrast, the Convention primarily urges these countries to adopt mitigation policies and periodically report on their progress. Aligned with the principles and structure of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol adopts an annex-based framework. Its obligations exclusively apply to developed nations, emphasizing the concept of "common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities." This recognition stems from the acknowledgment that developed nations bear a significant responsibility for the current elevated levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere.
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Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Greenhouse gas regulations refer to laws and procedures designed to decrease and control the greenhouse gas emissions, which are highly contributing to global warming and climate change. These laws and regulations are implemented by governments at local, regional and international levels, aiming to mitigate the harmful effect of greenhouse gas emissions from various fields, such as energy, transportation and agriculture areas. Some of the examples for these regulations are emissions caps, carbon pricing mechanisms, regulatory standards on emissions, land use regulations, reporting requirements and incentives for technology in low carbon emission technologies.
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Climate-resilient
Is foodsystems, that can grown after the have been floated etc. because of climate changes.
No-Go Zone
Areas in protected places where humans are not allowed to go, so nature can be left alone.
Adaptation
The process of adjusting human systems to the actual or expected climate and its effects.
Geothermal Energy
It relies on the heat derived from the subsurface of the earth. Geothermal energy is heat produced in the earth’s core, including groundwater. Among the main advantages: geothermal energy does not depend on weather conditions and has very high-capacity factors; it has long-term financial savings; Minimal maintenance; it is ecological and reduces energy dependency;It does not depend on energy prices.
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Seasonal
Refers to food that is available and in season at a particular time of the year.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a recirculating environment. It is a synergy between fish and plants. This method relies on fish waste to be used as an organic nutrient solution to grow vegetables. In a system, water flows from the fish tank into a biofilter where bacteria break down the fish waste into an organic nutrient solution for the growing vegetables.
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Deforestation
Deforestation is the clearing, or cutting down, of forests. The word is normally used to describe the actions of humans in removing forests from the planet, rather than destruction caused by such natural events as hurricanes. Deforestation implies the long-term or permanent loss of forest cover and implies transformation into another land use.
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Carbon Capture
The collection and transport of concentrated CO2 gas from large emission sources, such as power plants.
Climate governance
Voluntary mechanisms and measures aimed at directing social systems towards preventing, mitigating or adapting to the risks of climate change. Climate governance also enables social actors to participate in the different decision-making processes and the implementation of climate actions.
Green Building
Constructing structures with minimal impact on the environment.
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Sustainable Agriculture
Farming methods that protect the environment and promote long-term viability.
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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) represents a global initiative to address the challenges posed by our changing climate. Formulated as a response to the 1threat of global warming, the UNFCCC was adopted during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Its primary goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere at levels that prevent harmful interference with the planet's climate. As of May 2000, 184 countries had officially ratified the UNFCCC. The convention facilitates collaborative efforts among nations to share technology and implement sub-programs targeting various sectors like energy production, transportation, industry, agriculture, forestry, and waste management. These initiatives aim to mitigate climate change impacts stemming from human activities.
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Institute for European Environmental Policy
The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is a non-profit, independent policy studies institute and environmental think tank. It specializes in analyzing and shaping environmental policies in Europe and globally. Headquartered in Brussels, the institute has a branch office in London and collaborates with a network of partners across various countries, particularly within the EU. These partners comprise universities, environmental and professional associations spanning diverse sectors, research institutes, and consultancies. IEEP is actively involved in addressing immediate concerns as well as conducting comprehensive, long-term strategic studies.
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Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Climate adaptation strategies are approaches implemented to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human-made systems against the harmful impact of the climate change. Adaptation strategies aim to minimize the damage and make use of potential opportunities resulting from climate change. Even though these strategies vary by region and the impacts experienced, some adaptation strategies are coastal protection via sea walls, agricultural adaptation via resilient crop varieties and urban planning for adaptation.
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Nonlinearity
A process is called nonlinear when there is no simple proportional relation between cause and effect.
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is a leading non-profit focused on the intersection of environmental factors and human health in the European Union and beyond. With over 80 member organizations representing diverse stakeholders across 53 countries, HEAL shapes laws and policies to promote planetary and human health, particularly for those most impacted by pollution. Their advocacy emphasizes the health benefits of environmental action. As an independent alliance, HEAL brings expert evidence from the health community to influence EU and global decision-making, aiming to inspire disease prevention and advocate for a toxic-free, low-carbon, fair, and healthy future. Notably, HEAL remains politically neutral and free from commercial interests, securing funding from the European Union, governments, private foundations, and memberships excluding sources with commercial interests.
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Water Conservation
Efficient use and management of water resources to reduce waste.
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National Park
A large, unique area that protects a wide variety of plants and animals, and other natural elements.
Sustainable Materials
Construction materials derived from easily grown or found materials, such as straw or bamboo.
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Reusable
Products or items that can be used multiple times instead of being thrown away after a single use.
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Agroforestry
Agroforestry is a collective name for land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) are deliberately used on the same land-management units as agricultural crops and/or animals, in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. In agroforestry systems there are both ecological and economical interactions between the different components. Agroforestry can also be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.
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The European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT)
The European Climate Adaptation Platform, Climate-ADAPT, operates as a collaboration between the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA), with maintenance by the EEA and support from the European Topic Centre on Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability, and Adaptation (ETC/CCA). With a primary goal of assisting Europe in adapting to climate change, Climate-ADAPT facilitates user access to data and information on anticipated climate change, current and future regional and sectoral vulnerabilities, EU, national, and transnational adaptation strategies, case studies, potential adaptation options, and planning tools. Organizing information under key categories such as EU Policy, Countries, Transnational regions, Cities, Knowledge, European Climate and Health Observatory, and Networks, the platform features a quality-checked database for easy searchability. In essence, Climate-ADAPT serves as a comprehensive resource to aid climate adaptation efforts across various domains in Europe.
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Mitigation
Human actions that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for example eliminating the burning of fossil fuel.
Weather preparedness
Preparing for different types of weather, such as rainstorms or hot days, so we can stay safe and comfortable.
Renewable Energy
A large, unique area that protects a wide variety of plants and animals, and other natural elements.
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Green Roof
A green roof is a roof that is covered in plants to help cool buildings and give insects and birds a place to live.
Renewable energy
Energy is renewable when its source is based on using inexhaustible natural resources, such as the sun, wind, water, or biomass. Renewable energy does not use fossil fuels but natural resources that are constantly replenished and do not produce greenhouse gases, the main drivers of climate change. Like fossil fuels, renewable energy can produce electricity, heat, gas, and biofuels without releasing greenhouse gases.
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Composting
Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich soil conditioner.
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Fit for 55
The European climate law says it's a must to cut EU emissions by at least 55% by 2030, making it a legal duty. EU countries are creating new laws to meet this goal and make the EU climate-friendly by 2050. The Fit for 55 package has ideas to change and add new laws to match the climate goals set by the Council and the European Parliament. This package aims for a fair transition, keeps innovation strong, and makes sure EU industries compete fairly globally. It wants the EU to lead in fighting climate change worldwide. The goal is to have good laws that make sure the EU reaches its climate targets in a fair and balanced way.
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Helping Others
Helping others is an important way to show kindness and make the world a better place. It can be as simple as sharing a toy or as big as volunteering to help people in need.
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Smart Agriculture and Renewable Energies
In this section, you will discover the main terms related to sustainable agriculture, alternative practices currently used to protect the environment and the main terms related to renewable energy and alternative sources of energy production.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and natural processes. It is a holistic, systems-based approach that seeks to create resilient and regenerative agricultural systems that restore and replenish natural resources. Regenerative farmers use a variety of practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and the integration of livestock to improve soil health, conserve water, and promote biodiversity.
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Protecting forests
Caring for trees and forests so that animals have a home and the air stays clean.
Food
We need food every day, because our body need it as a car need petrol og electicity. We need carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins, which we get through food, for our bodies to feel good. We feel hunger and want to eat food.
Monoculture
The agricultural practice of cultivating a single crop over a whole farm or area. This is very common in modern agriculture, as it simplifies the farm and allows relatively few people to harvest large amounts. Nevertheless, monocultures have negative impacts as Pests and diseases that attack only one kind of plant can spread more easily when they only find that kind.
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Homemade food
Homemade food is food that we make at home. It is food that is not prefabricated and it is food that we prepare ourselves, for example when we make a homemade pizza or bake buns.
Gender equality
Making sure that everyone is treated the same, regardless of gender, and that everyone has the same opportunities.
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Paleoclimate
The study of previous climates that have existed during Earth’s different geologic ages.
Wildlife Sanctuary
A secure environment where animals may reside comfortably and unconcerned.
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Intergenerational equity
Equity between generations that recognizes that the effects of past and current emissions, vulnerabilities and policies impose costs and benefits on people in the future and across generations.
Sea Level Rise
Increases in the height of the sea with respect to a specific point on land.
Circular Economy
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EU Waste Management Dırectıve
The Waste Framework Directive of the European Union is like a set of rules that tells the countries in the European Union the ways and methods to handle the trash. It aims to reduce the waste we create and incentivizes reusing and recycling. The rules in the directive also say that countries need to be careful with dangerous waste to keep people and environment safe. Also, it has rules on the ways of collecting and treating the batteries and old electronics in a safe and proper way, so that they don’t harm the environment.
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Global Warming
Refers to an increase in global temperature that has been recorded over a period of 30 years or more. It is generally expressed in relation to the levels that existed before the Industrial Revolution.
Food miles
Is the distance that food from the point of production to the point of consumption.
Copenhagen Accord
The Copenhagen Accord is a special agreement among countries about climate change. It's not like a strict law, but more like an agreement where everyone tries to agree. Some countries didn't fully agree with it, but they acknowledged its existence. The Accord continues the work of the Kyoto Protocol and UNFCCC, setting a goal to limit how much the world's temperature can increase. It also talks about checking gases that make the Earth warmer. The agreement says rich and developing countries must say what they will do to reduce pollution.
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Biorefinery
A biorefinery is a facility (or network of facilities) that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce transportation biofuels, power, and chemicals from biomass.
Natural ventilation
Bringing in fresh air into buildings without the use of power by opening windows and opening air vents.
Corporate Governance
The rules and practices that ensure companies are run fairly and honestly, with clear rules and decision-making processes.
Land grabbing
Land grabbing occurs when a large portion of land that is considered 'unused' is sold to third parties, companies or governments in other countries without the consent of the communities that live there or that have been using it, often for years, to cultivate and produce their food.
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Energy poverty
Energy poverty is the lack of access to sustainable or modern energy services and products. It is also when a community lacks adequate, affordable, reliable, quality, safe, and environmentally sound energy services to support development48. This situation results in poor service provision, such as a lack of energy to power healthcare facilities, poor lighting, limited or no quality energy for schools, and a lack of safe water for communities.
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Composting toilets
Specialized toilets that convert waste into compost, which is used for feeding plant life.
Youth and Environment Europe Network
Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) is a pan-European network uniting environmental youth NGOs across 25 countries. It focuses on empowering young people through advocacy for climate justice and promoting inclusive youth participation in environmental decision-making. YEE emphasizes non-formal education, intersectionality, and tackles environmental issues with social inequality and discrimination in mind. It offers resources, organizes events, and supports young people to engage meaningfully in climate and environmental actions, fostering international cooperation and knowledge sharing on the climate crisis.
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European Green Deal
Environmental legislation holds significant importance in both domestic and international legal frameworks worldwide. Its roots extend back to the 18th century, notably in European countries like Finland, France, and Germany, where early acts aimed at enhancing natural resource conservation were enacted. The 1870s witnessed the rise of nature conservation ideology, leading to the establishment of national park and forest protection laws in the United States. From the 1960s onward, escalating environmental pollution, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization, prompted developed nations to formulate legislation addressing pollution control in air, water, and land. The concept of sustainable development gained traction in the late 1980s, causing a shift in focus from pollution treatment to prevention and holistic natural resource management. Concurrently, there was a growing emphasis on national legislation to address international environmental issues. Today, environmental legislation has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive framework, acknowledging its limitations in effective application. Developing countries are progressively improving their environmental legislation to address the complex challenges posed by environmental issues.
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Climate Justice
Climate justice is a concept referring to the acknowledgement of climate change not only as an environmental issue, but also a social, economic, and a political issue, emphasizing the impacts of the climate change being not borne fairly or equally, with poorest and most vulnerable groups facing the greatest of risks. Climate justice, thus, calls for solutions that address these disparities, ensuring equal access to the benefits of the climate action and fair share of the climate change burdens. The concept also advocates for rights of indigenous peoples, disadvantaged communities and developing nations, arguing that these groups are the most impacted by climate change in environmental, societal and economic terms.
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Fair Labor Practices
Treating workers fairly and ethically in terms of wages, working conditions, and rights.
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Disaster risk management (DRM)
Processes for designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies, policies, and measures to improve the understanding of disaster risk, foster disaster risk reduction and transfer, and promote continuous improvement in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery practices.
Conservation
The practice of protecting and preserving the natural environment, including its resources and biodiversity. In the context of sustainability, conservation efforts aim to sustainably manage natural resources for future generations.
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Green Building Certification
A unique designation indicating a building's positive effects on the environment and public health.
Sink
Is a reservoir where greenhouse gases are stored. They may be natural or the result of human activity in land and marine ecosystems.
Wind energy
It is obtained from the wind/moving air. Wind turbines create energy through movement, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. It can be produced on land and at sea. Wind energy can be used for the production of electrical energy. It is also used to pump water for agricultural needs. Wind energy is renewable. It is carbon free source of energy and approximately 8% of the turbine components can be recycled or reused.It is applicable to urban, rural and off-grid locations. Wind turbines have a long service life and supports job creation.
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Ocean Acidification
Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in seawater causing a measurable increase in acidity.
Natural Resources Depletion
Occurs when resources are taken from the environment quicker than they are replenished.
Climate Activism
Climate activism is diverse; it mobilises people to take indirect actions aimed at putting pressure on economic and political actors, as well as direct efforts to make individual behavioural changes. In other words, it means raising awareness of the problem of climate change, taking actions to recognise and address this problem and waging a climate struggle. Today, climate activism is also carried out effectively in the digital environment with the influence of technology. "Digital strikes" increase the sensitivity on the issue and make the perspective of decision makers more constructive.
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BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
Bird migration stands as one of the awe-inspiring marvels in the natural realm. BirdLife collaborates with local communities along Flyways, adopting an integrated approach to safeguard birds and biodiversity effectively. Their strategic focus revolves around Species, Sites, Society, and Systems, forging connections between birds, habitats, nature, and people. Through this approach, they address the root causes of environmental degradation, promoting changes in behavior and choices to secure a future for our children and grandchildren.
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Climate Change
Climate change is identified by variability in climate properties that persists for a prolonged period and can be identified through statistical tests. Climate change may be caused by natural internal processes or by external forces, such as volcanic eruptions or persistent anthropogenic actions.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Making sure everyone is safe and treated fairly, and that governments and organisations work well to solve problems.
Eco-Friendly Footprint
The impact a person or product has on the environment.
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Organic Cotton
Cotton grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
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The Naturefriends Movement
The Naturefriends movement, established in 1895, ranks among the largest non-governmental organizations globally. With 350,000 members organized in local groups, they are represented through regional, federal, and national associations. Naturefriends International (NFI), serving as the umbrella organization for around 45 national member organizations, is a member of the Green 10, a platform comprising the ten largest European environmental NGOs. Internationally oriented and guided by ecological and sociopolitical values, Naturefriends operate as a democratically structured movement. Their commitment lies in promoting sustainable development at regional, national, and global levels for both the environment and society. They advocate for environmentally and socially equitable tourism and leisure activities, safeguarding natural and cultural heritages, and fostering internationality and solidarity.
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Biochar
Biochar is a type of charcoal added to soil that acts as plant food, or fertilizer. Biochar is made by heating biomass like wood in an oven to very high temperatures. This removes all of the water and easy to burn material from the biomass leaving only carbon. The final result is fragile and dark black charcoal.
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Weather
Atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation.
Green Energy
Energy produced from renewable sources with minimal environmental impact.
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Microfinance
Providing small amounts of credit to people who don't have much money, to help them start businesses or improve their lives.
Environmental Policies and Institutions
Environmental Policies and Institutions are the rules and organizations set up by governments and groups to handle environmental problems. These rules help manage issues like pollution, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. The institutions, which can be government or non-government groups, are important for creating, enforcing, and making sure these rules work. The goals are to encourage practices that don't harm the environment, save natural resources, and encourage everyone to take care of the environment. These policies and institutions are like a plan that people and groups follow to keep the Earth healthy and sustainable for now and the future.
Recyclable Materials
Materials that can be collected, processed, and used again.
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Paris Agreement Compliance
The Treaty of Paris, officially known as the Paris Agreement, marks a significant achievement in environmental multilateralism. Adopted by 197 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the agreement reflects a notable achievement, addressing earlier skepticism about the international community's dedication to collective action through a legally binding instrument. The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement is contingent upon three interconnected elements: participation, ambition, and compliance. While broad participation is essential to address climate issues, striking a balance between inclusive involvement and substantive commitment is crucial. The agreement achieves this balance by imposing primarily administrative and procedural obligations of a legally binding nature, allowing parties considerable discretion in determining the substantive content of their contributions to the fight against climate change.
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Bike racks
Locations to store bicycles to promote riding rather than driving.
EIT Climate-KIC
EIT Climate-KIC, functioning as a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), endeavors to narrow the gap between climate commitments and the present reality. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, they identify and endorse innovations that aid society in mitigating and adapting to climate change. They assert that a decarbonized, sustainable economy is not only imperative to avert catastrophic climate change but also presents abundant opportunities for both business and society. In the role of convener, they unite partners from business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors, fostering networks of expertise. Through these collaborative networks, innovative products, services, and systems are conceptualized, developed, and scaled-up to make a substantial impact. Leveraging their convening power, EIT Climate-KIC assembles the most effective groups to drive innovation and instigate systemic change.
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Desertification
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines the term desertification as ‘land degradation in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities’. Desertification is a dynamic process that is observed in dry and fragile ecosystems. It affects terrestrial areas (topsoil, earth,groundwater reserves, surface runoff), animal and plant populations, as well as human settlements and their amenities.
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EU Renewable Energy Directive
The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is an important rule from the European Union (EU) that wants countries to use more renewable energy. It tells each EU country to have a certain amount of energy from renewable sources. The rule focuses on things like biofuels for cars and making sure these sources are good for the environment and society. It also creates a system for showing where renewable energy comes from. The RED encourages using renewable energy in heating, cooling, and buildings, making our homes and offices greener. Overall, it's about making sure EU countries use more clean and sustainable energy.
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Energy community
Energy communities allow local communities to join forces and invest in clean energy. Acting as a single entity means energy communities can access all suitable energy markets on a level-playing field with other market actors. . Energy communities can be an effective means of re-structuring our energy systems, by empowering citizens to drive the energy transition locally and directly benefit from better energy efficiency, lower bills, reduced energy poverty and more local green job opportunities.
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Holocene
The geological epoch that covers the last 11,000 years.
Phenology
The timing of natural events, such as flower blooms and animal migration, which is influenced by changes in climate. Phenology is the study of such important seasonal events.
Natural monument
A natural monument is a landmark, either cultural or natural, that has exceptional or unique value due to its cultural significance, essential value, or representative aesthetic attributes.
Carbon Neutral
Balancing the amount of carbon emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere.
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Marine Energy
Tides, waves, salinity gradients, and currents can be used to produce electricity. This energy can be harnessed through a tidal barrage also known as a tidal dam or offshore turbines which use the power of moving water to generate electricity. > Does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. This energy does not use fuel, provides reliable electricity, maintenance is inexpensive, offshore turbines are not too expensive to build and do not have a large environmental impact.
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Green Transition
Green transition refers to a global shift from using fossil fuels or environmentally harmful materials to sustainable and eco-friendly energy resources and methods in production. It includes renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, increased energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The main aim is to decrease carbon emission, prevent climate change and protect the natural ecosystems. This transition is very important for a sustainable future for our generations, and a balance between the health of our world and human activities.
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Bioeconomy
Involves the sustainable production and use of biological resources, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, to provide products, services, energy, and food.
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Climate-smart agriculture
A means of farming that responds to climate change, by adapting and building resilience in the farming practices reducing and removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, while providing the farmer income.
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Ethical buying
Making sure the things we buy are made in a way that is good for people and the planet.
Industrial food
Industrially produced food is food that is made in a factory or in a commercial kitchen. You can buy it in a store as a ready-made dish and just heat it up when you get home. Industrially produced food can contain more fat, sugar and salt than home-made food, and is therefore not always healthy.
Eco-Fashion
Clothing made with environmentally friendly materials and processes.
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The European Climate Law
The European Climate Law enshrines the European Green Deal's objective for Europe to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 into law. Additionally, it establishes an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030, relative to 1990 levels. Climate neutrality by 2050 involves achieving a balance between emitted and removed greenhouse gases through emission cuts, investments in green technologies, and environmental preservation. This law aims to align all EU policies with the climate neutrality goal, ensuring active participation from every sector of the economy and society. Its objectives include providing a clear direction for meeting the 2050 climate neutrality objective, setting a more ambitious EU 2030 target, implementing a monitoring system for progress, offering predictability for investors, and ensuring the irreversible nature of the transition to climate neutrality.
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Drought
A period of abnormally dry weather long enough to cause a serious hydrological imbalance.
Ethical Fashion
Clothing produced with consideration for fair labor practices and worker conditions.
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Food Security
To make sure that everyone has enough healthy food to eat, no matter where they live or how much they can afford to spend.
Nature Reserve
A designated area where nature, plants, and animals are safeguarded because they are valuable and require care.
Clean Water
Water without dirt or harmful chemicals that's safe to drink and swim in.
Sustainable Practices
Actions or behaviors that support long-term environmental health.
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Food sovereignty
Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food. It emphasizes ecologically appropriate production, distribution and consumption, social-economic justice, and local food systems as ways to tackle hunger and poverty and guarantee sustainable food security for all peoples.
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Fast Fashion
Quick and inexpensive trends in clothing production that often result in environmental harm.
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Biodynamic agriculture
Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture very similar to organic farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). Initially developed in 1924, it was the first of the organic agriculture movements. It treats soil fertility, plant growth, and livestock care as ecologically interrelated tasks.
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Carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are a key dominant factor responsible for climate change. Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common GHG, responsible for approximately 76% of emissions.
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OCEANA
Oceana is an international organization working on the conservation of the World’s oceans. Their mission is to advocate for well-informed policy making for protecting our oceans, the biodiversity and combat threats like destruction of sea habitats, excessive fishing and pollution. Oceana works globally, organizing strategic campaigns for biodiversity in our oceans.
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Recycling
The process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling is a key element of the circular economy and helps conserve resources and reduce waste.
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Upcycling
Turning old or discarded items into new, useful products.
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Biofuels
Fuel made from biomass—that is, plant or algae material or animal waste—is known as biofuel. Since biomass can easily be replenished, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.
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Degraded soil, Exhausted soil
Soil that is no longer able to support crops or other plant life due to loss of nutrients in the soil. Soil erosion is a part of soil degradation. It's when the topsoil and nutrients are lost either naturally, such as via wind erosion, or due to human actions, such as poor land management.
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European Environment Agency
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is one of the 11 special groups in the European Union (EU), and it's spread out in different countries of the Union. The EEA's goal is to give clear and reliable information for people working on European and national environmental policies, as well as for the public. They use existing data and work with countries and European groups to organize the information in a way that's helpful. The primary roles of the European Environment Agency encompass networking, monitoring, and reporting on the condition and future outlook of the environment. Additionally, the agency plays a key role in enabling public access to environmental information from various contributors such as the EEA, EU, Member States, businesses, NGOs, and other relevant sources.
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Digital Strike
During the pandemic, activists found a new way to fight for the environment through a "digital strike." This meant they could connect with people from all over, even those outside big cities. With everything moving online, it became easier and cheaper for more people to join in. Imagine weekly meetings that started small and grew to over a thousand participants, all because of this digital shift. Greta Thunberg then took it to a global level with the #DigitalStrike. People shared their support on social media, making the movement spread fast. Even without physical protests, the digital strike brought climate action to our screens. It's like a big online gathering for the planet! Activists worldwide joined in, sharing ideas and information about how their countries were dealing with the pandemic. This digital connection became a strong force, uniting people globally for a common cause.
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Bioenergy
The use of bioenergy is divided into two main categories: traditional and modern. Traditional use refers to the combustion of biomass in forms such as wood, animal waste, and traditional charcoal. Modern bioenergy technologies include liquid biofuels such as bioethanol produced from wooden pellets and other plants, biorefineries, biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of waste, wood pellet heating systems and other technologies.
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ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) & SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)
This category introduces concepts related to caring for the environment, being kind to others, and making good choices for the future. It includes terms about protecting nature, treating people fairly and making positive changes in the world. Understanding these terms helps us learn how to be responsible citizens of the planet and make the world a better place for everyone.
Sustainable Development:
Taking care of the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Aerosols
Small particles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere that can absorb or reflect sunlight depending on their composition.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
The EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) is like a big plan that helps many European countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, fight climate change. It's a smart way to reduce greenhouse gases, which are bad for the environment, and it started in 2005. The EU ETS is the world's largest system where countries can trade their emissions. Here's how it works: there's a limit on how much greenhouse gas can be made, and this limit gets smaller over time. Companies can get or buy allowances to emit gases, and they can trade these allowances. This helps companies cut emissions where it's easiest and cheapest. It's like a cool teamwork plan to fight climate change and use cleaner technologies. To be super climate-friendly by 2050, the EU is thinking about making the plan even better.
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Community participation
Talking to and working with the people who live in the places where we do business to make sure everyone's needs are met.
Insulation
Insulation is the special material used in ceilings and walls to keep a structure cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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Anthropogenic
The effect, outcome or process of human activity.
Intercropping
Intercropping is growing two or more crops next to each other at the same time. The main purpose of intercropping is to produce more crops in a given area. It also makes use of resources (nutrients) that would otherwise not be used by a single crop. Crops are selected such that their nutrient requirements are different. This way, the crops can give the same returns but require less space.
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Ozone Layer
A layer of ozone high up in the Earth's atmosphere that protects life on Earth by absorbing the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
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Landfill
Land waste disposal site in which waste is generally spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with a fresh layer of soil each day.
UNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty addressing climate change. It was signed by 154 states at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 with the aim of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system.
Strict nature reserve
A strict nature reserve or wilderness area is a special kind of protected place that's kept very safe for nature. It's like giving nature its own secret place where plants and animals can live freely without anyone disturbing them. These places are very important for keeping nature safe and healthy.
Afforestation
Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.
Sustainable Development Goals
Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, serve as a universal call to action. These 17 integrated goals address poverty, hunger, AIDS, discrimination against women and girls, and aim for peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Acknowledging the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental factors, the SDGs emphasize progress prioritization for those furthest behind. Achieving these goals requires the collective contribution of creativity, knowhow, technology, and financial resources from all sectors of society, emphasizing the need for comprehensive collaboration in diverse contexts.
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Loss and Damage
The adverse effects of climate variability and climate change that people have not managed to cope with or adapt to.
World Wildlife Fund
WWF, which stands for the World Wildlife Fund, operates as a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of the natural environment and the safeguarding of global wildlife. Engaging in diverse activities like research, education, advocacy, and conservation projects, WWF focuses on various initiatives. These include combating climate change, preserving critical ecosystems like forests, and protecting endangered species such as tigers, elephants, and whales. Additionally, the organization advocates for sustainable fishing practices. Collaborating with governments, businesses, and communities worldwide, WWF strives to encourage more sustainable practices and policies. With a substantial history of partnering with businesses to advance sustainability, WWF has developed tools and frameworks to assist companies in measuring and mitigating their environmental impact.
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Digital Inclusion
Ensuring that no one is left behind by making sure everyone has access to things like computers and the internet.
Harvesting Rainwater
Collecting rainwater from the roof to water plants and gardens.
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Solar energy
Solar energy is produced by the sun's rays. There are two types of solar energy: Solar thermal energy, which relies on the sun to produce heat, and Photovoltaic (PV) energy, which provides light that is converted into electricity through photovoltaic panels. Solar energy can be used for electricity generation, lighting, water heating, and industrial use.
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Carbon neutral/ net zero
Becoming carbon neutral can be achieved by removing or eliminating the same amount of greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere.
Fair Salaries
If people work hard, they should be paid enough money to support themselves and their families. Fair salaries mean that everyone is treated fairly and has enough money to buy the things they need.
Climate Change Mitigation Measures
Climate change mitigation measures refers to policies, strategies, procedures and actions from governments and institutions in order to decrease the harmful effects of climate change, reduce the greenhouse effect, and slow down or prevent the global warming and its effects. These measures include transition actions to renewable energy, carbon tax, reforestation actions, sustainable transportation, and international co-operations for climate change.
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The Montreal Protocol
is an international environmental agreement, signed in 1987, which aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Agrivoltaic system
A system that is based on the simultaneous use of areas of land either for solar energy production via a photovoltaic system or for agriculture or grazing.
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The 5R initiatives
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.
Industrial revolution
Was a significant period in Europe and North America, beginning in the 18th century, which saw a transition from agrarian economies to those characterised by technological advancements and industrial manufacturing.
Ranger
A special person who takes care of conservation areas and helps to protect plants and animals.
Rotational grazing, also called adaptive multi-paddock grazing
A practice where grazing land is divided into segments called paddocks, with the grazing animals (cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys) moved from paddock to paddock every few days. The forage grasses, both introduced and native grasses and forbs, are allowed to rejuvenate while the paddock is resting between grazing periods resulting in less soil erosion. It also results in a higher quality and a greater output of grasses. The resulting grasslands are much healthier.
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Hydropower
Hydropower uses moving water that goes through turbines to generate electricity. Dams and reservoirs can be used to store water for short or long periods, which will later be used to meet energy needs. Hydropower is flexible because the flow of water passing through the turbines can be adapted to the electricity needs. Nevertheless, construction cost are high and can have adverse effect on flora, fauna, and nearby communities.
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Sustainable Transportation
Using eco-friendly ways to get from one place to another, like walking, biking, or using public transportation.
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Polyculture
Polyculture refers to the cultivation of two or more crop species in such a way that they interact biologically (Vandermeer, 1989). Traditional polyculture has been practised throughout almost all of farming history, providing food for humans, for a variety of animals, continuous ground cover and deep root systems to prevent erosion, legumes to provide natural fertilizers, and natural disease and pest control measures.
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Organic
Is food that is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Solar Panels
Unique solar panels that collect light from the sun and convert it into electrical power for buildings.
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Climate Action Network Europe
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is the foremost NGO coalition in Europe dedicated to combatting climate change. In this unique network, environmental and development organizations collaborate for joint lobby campaigns, maximizing impact. With over 200 member organizations in 40 European countries, representing 1,700 NGOs and 40 million citizens, CAN Europe advocates for sustainable climate, energy, and development policies. Members coordinate strategies on international, regional, and national climate issues, prioritizing both a healthy environment and future-focused development. CAN Europe envisions protecting the atmosphere while fostering sustainable and equitable global development.
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Green Building
The term "green building" describes the planning, development, and care of buildings in a way that is resource- and environmentally-conscious. These buildings are designed to maximize sustainability and the resident comfort at the expense of their environmental effect.
LocalSourcing
Obtaining materials or products from nearby sources to reduce transportation impact.
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Wilderness area
A protected area is like a giant nature playground! It's a large area of land or sea where everything stays wild and natural. Ιt is protected so that the plants, animals and all the special parts of nature can stay as they are.
Zero Waste
Minimizing the generation of waste during production and consumption.
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Trail
A path or track through a protected area where people can walk or hike to see plants and animals.
C40 Cities
C40 Cities is a network of cities, coming together from around the globe to take action in climate change, acting as example cities for a healthier and more sustainable urban life for our future. It promotes the important role of cities and their governments in the our efforts against climate change, and it organizes projects and activities for collaboration and cooperation among cities. Members of this network include many megacities in the World, that are committed to implement meaningful actions in their locals, creating a global impact together on climate change.
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Urban garden
Urban agriculture refers to various practices of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in urban areas. The term also applies to the area activities of animal husbandry, aquaculture, beekeeping, and horticulture in an urban context. Urban agriculture is distinguished from peri-urban agriculture, which takes place in rural areas at the edge of suburbs.
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Sustainable Development and fashion and Circular Economy
"Sustainable Development and Fashion in a Circular Economy," means making and using clothes in a smart way that doesn't hurt the planet. We make clothes that last longer, we recycle old clothes into new ones, and we make sure the way we create them is fair and safe for the people making them.
Blue Economy
The blue economy is the "sustainable use of ocean resourcesfor economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem."
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Hazard
The potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event or trend or physical impact that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, ecosystems and environmental resources.
Policy Implementation
Policy implementation refers to putting plans into action on governmental level. Policies might cover a range of topics, from environment to regulation of workers rights, and policy implementation means bringing these plans into the real life. As for environmental policy implementation, this means considering the climate change and environmental strategies into policy documents, thus making a plan, and making them a reality. For instance, if a government decides that they want to decrease the carbon emissions, the implementation of this policy would mean to create mechanisms, plans and programs to reduce carbon emissions, such as incentivizing the use of public transportation instead of individual cars. It is mainly about taking ideas and promises in fighting climate change and deciding on steps to make them happen, via rules, funding and educations.
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Fair Trade
Ensuring that producers in developing countries receive fair payment for their goods.
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Saving seeds
How seeds traditionally were handled by farmers and gardeners whereby some of the seeds from the current year were saved for planting in the next year. This cannot be done successfully with hybrid seeds and seeds from GMO crops.
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Transparency
To be open and honest about the activities of the business and its impact on people and the environment.
Kindness to Animals
Treating animals with care and respect, such as making sure they have enough food and a safe place to live.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is global partnership of various countries across the World, including international institutions, NGOs, companies and other key stakeholders working together in environmental issues. GEF organizes projects on biodiversity, climate change, sea pollution, land use on a global scale. They provided more than $20 billion in funds for more than 5000 projects in 170 countries.
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Energy-efficient lights
Lamps that produce light and warmth in a room while using less electricity.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Energy Efficiency Directive
Making sure we use energy wisely is super important for the EU's plan to fight climate change. Energy efficiency is like using energy in smart ways to help the environment, keep energy prices fair, and make sure we have enough for the future. The EU set a big goal to cut how much greenhouse gas we make, and to reach this, they updated the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). It's like a set of rules to make sure everyone uses energy in the best way possible. The new rules say that using energy wisely should always be the first thing we think about when making big decisions about energy. This is a big step in making sure the EU reaches its goals and doesn't depend too much on energy from certain places.
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Carbon Offset
Supporting projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide to balance out the carbon emissions from certain activities.
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Food
Food consumption/ethics and waste management
Seed swap
Seed exchange is an activity mainly run by organisations, research centres and private entities that aims to conserve and reproduce seeds, outside the commercial scheme. Indeed, farmers' seed systems make food systems more resistant to climate change, pests and pathogens.
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Biodiversity
Refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. It is a key component in sustainability as it helps maintain the balance of ecosystems.
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Directive
A directive is a rule given by a leader to the others telling them a goal to be achieved, but allows them to choose their own way to reach to the goal. It is like a teacher in the class asking students to clean up, and each student choosing their own way to clean their desk. For countries, a directive is a big rule that all countries agree to follow, but each country has their own way of following this rule at home.
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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a global body that provides a platform for governments to work together to share experiences and work on solutions to common problems, such as climate change. It plays a crucial role in climate policy by analyzing and disseminating data on emissions, evaluating the effectiveness of climate strategies, and recommending relevant policies for sustainable development for key stakeholders. The OECD's insights help us to create global and national approaches to achieve a low-carbon economy, making it a key player in international area to address climate change and promote sustainable development.
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Planted based
Is food made from fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.
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Biodegradable
Materials that can break down and return to the environment.
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Green Infrastructure
Building things like parks and bike routes to help the environment and make cities better places to live.
Good quality schools
A quality school provides a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and develop new skills. Teachers play an important role in helping pupils to succeed and reach their full potential.
Carbon cycle
The term used to describe the flow of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) through the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and lithosphere.
Friends of Earth Europe
Friends of the Earth Europe constitutes the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, bringing together over 30 national organizations alongside numerous local groups. Their Brussels office assumes the role of coordinating joint campaigns within the network and advocating for EU action to safeguard both people and the planet. Functioning as the European counterpart of Friends of the Earth International, they align with a global federation that unites more than 70 national member organizations, over 5,000 local activist groups, and garners support from over two million advocates worldwide.
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Recyclable Materials
Materials that can be collected, processed, and used again.
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Emission Reduction
Decreasing the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Evaluating the potential effects of a project or activity on the environment.
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International Protocol
International protocols are promises that countries make to each other for doing important things in an agreed way. These protocols are like a group of friends agreeing to share their toys in an equal way and play fairly. Each friend pledges to follow the rules so that everyone can have fun and play safely. International protocols work in the same way, only focusing on urgent things such as the climate change. Countries sign these protocols to promise that they work together and make the world a better place.
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Eco-friendly
Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment.
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Impact investing
Putting money into projects or businesses that make a positive difference to people and the planet, not just to make money.
Compost
Organic material, such as leaves, stalks and roots, that has decomposed and is being added to soil as a fertilizer and to rejuvenate soil.
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Repurpose
Giving new life to an item by using it in a different way than originally intended.
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IPCC
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It was created to provide politicians with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks and to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.
Clean Air
Air that's safe and healthy to breathe, without pollution or harmful gases. Breathing clean air is important for our health and the health of the planet. Pollution from cars and factories can make the air dirty and hard to breathe, so it's important to find ways to keep it clean.
Social Responsibility
The obligation of persons and organisations to act in ways that benefit society, including the promotion of well-being, fairness and justice.
World Resource Institute
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a research organization working on critical environmental issues across the globe. The mission of the institute is to move the lifestyle and economic activities of the humans in a way that is respectful for the environment for current and future generations. They work on projects and policies that act against climate change, conserve natural resources, decrease the environmental pollution and contribute to the environmental practices. Through data collection, research and collaboration with many actors, such as governments, businesses and other organizations, WRI develops practical solutions for environmental challenges of the World.
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Habitat
A place where plants, animals, and other creatures live and find everything they need to survive.
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The European Environmental Bureau
As the largest network of environmental citizens' organizations in Europe, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) unites over 180 member organizations across 40 countries. Our core principles revolve around championing sustainable development, environmental justice, and participatory democracy. The activities of the EEB encompass evaluating the European community's impact on the quality of life and the environment, engaging with member organizations, addressing developmental matters linked to program emphasis, and organizing general assemblies for its member organizations.
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European Climate Foundation
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) functions as a significant philanthropic initiative dedicated to advancing the net-zero transition and ensuring a sustainable planet for current and future generations. They provide support to approximately 700 partner organizations in over 100 countries, driving progress towards the Paris Agreement goals, advocating for practical policymaking in response to the climate crisis, and enhancing political and public backing for climate action. Their aim is a positive, people-centric, and socially responsible climate transition on both European and global scales. Serving as a primary European "field catalyst" in the climate action ecosystem, ECF operates at national, European, and global levels, with personnel in over 20 countries. Across 10+ European country teams, they develop localized strategies aligned with overarching priorities, contributing to fair and effective climate policies at the EU level and facilitating international collaboration for global climate progress.
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Greenhouse gases
The gaseous component of the atmosphere, which may be natural or anthropogenic. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit radiation, which causes the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases are: Water vapour (H2O) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Nitrous oxide (N2O) Methane (CH4) Ozone (O3)
Decarbonisation
Decarbonisation tends to refer to the process of reducing ‘carbon intensity’, lowering the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Generally, this involves decreasing CO2 output per unit of energy and waste generated. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide occurring due to transport, power generation and waste is essential to meet global temperature standards.
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Eco-Governance
Eco-governance refers to systems and methods used for managing environmental resources, and overcoming ecological challenges through collaborative efforts among governments, communities, NGOs and companies. It underlines the importance of sustainable development, emphasizing that the economic growth does not mean unhealthy environment. Eco-governance encompasses policies, regulations and practices that conserves the environment, promoting the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing the pollution and waste. This type of governance requires participation, accountability, inclusivity and engagement of stakeholders from various backgrounds in decision-making processes. By integrating environmental considerations into governance structures, eco-governance aims to achieve a balance between human needs and the planet's well-being, ensuring a healthier environment for current and future generations.
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Fossil Fuel
Fossil fuels are underground deposits composed of combustible organic materials formed by decomposed plants and animals, which were converted into crude oil, coal, and natural gas after being exposed for hundreds of millions of years to the heat and pressure of the earth's crust.
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El Niño
Is a climate pattern in which the surface water of the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean warms to significantly above average.
Environmental Legislation
Environmental legislation holds significant importance in both domestic and international legal frameworks worldwide. Its roots extend back to the 18th century, notably in European countries like Finland, France, and Germany, where early acts aimed at enhancing natural resource conservation were enacted. The 1870s witnessed the rise of nature conservation ideology, leading to the establishment of national park and forest protection laws in the United States. From the 1960s onward, escalating environmental pollution, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization, prompted developed nations to formulate legislation addressing pollution control in air, water, and land. The concept of sustainable development gained traction in the late 1980s, causing a shift in focus from pollution treatment to prevention and holistic natural resource management. Concurrently, there was a growing emphasis on national legislation to address international environmental issues. Today, environmental legislation has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive framework, acknowledging its limitations in effective application. Developing countries are progressively improving their environmental legislation to address the complex challenges posed by environmental issues.
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Biodiversity
All the various kinds of life that inhabit a certain area, such as a park or reserve, including plants and animals.
Resilience
The ability of human and natural systems to face a dangerous phenomenon or disturbance and to respond or reorganize so that they maintain their functionality, identity and structure, as well as conserving their capacity for adaptation, learning and transformation.
Cryosphere
The term cryosphere refers to the areas of the planet where most of the water is in a frozen form:the polar regions and high mountains.
Displacement
Forced removal of people or people obliged to flee from their places of habitual residence.
Ecoanxiety
Is anxiety caused by a dread of environmental perils, especially climate change, and a feeling of helplessness over the potential consequences for those living now and even more so for later generations.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international NGO aiming to make the responsible business models respectful of the environment the new normal for everyone. The NGO strives to protect the biodiversity, empower sustainable living and agriculture, contribute to sustainable business practices and protect the consumers. The organization works in various areas of the world, including rainforests, to conserve wildlife, promote good working conditions for workers in the agriculture and help communities manage natural resources in a sustainable way. They also certify farms, forests and tourism enterprises that meet their environmental standards.
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Flood
The overflowing of the normal confines of a stream or other body of water, or the accumulation of water over areas not normally submerged.
Ecosystem-based adaptation
An approach that seeks to protect human systems from the effects of climate change, using ecosystem services. Ecosystem-based adaptation seeks to maintain and increase resilience, and to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems.
Solar Power
Energy derived from the sun's rays.