Environment GP definitions

Climate Change

significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions. Climate change is attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.

Global Warming

a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants

Greenhouse Effect

the trapping of the sun’s heat in a planet’s lower atmosphere, due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to radiation from the sun. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane.

Deforestation

the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to non-forest use.

Desertification

when the tree and plant cover that binds the soil is removed for fuelwood and timber, or to clear land for cultivation. Animals eat away grasses and erode topsoil with their hooves. Intensive farming depletes the nutrients in the soil. Wind and water erosion aggravate the damage, carrying away topsoil and leaving behind a highly infertile mix of dust and sand. It is the combination of these factors that transforms degraded land into desert.

Ozone layer depletion

the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the earth’s stratosphere. The ozone layer is an invisible layer of protection around the planet that protects us from the sun’s harmful rays which can cause skin cancer. Ozone depletion has been pinned down mainly to CFCs, which are used in insulating foams, solvents, soaps, and coolants. However, the Montreal Protocol has been effective at gradually phasing out CFC use since it was implemented in 1989, and to date, is considered the most successful international environmental agreement as ozone levels recovered in the 2000s.

International Panel on Climate Change:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body leading international and scientific authority on climate change. It provides the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts. In the latest IPCC climate report in 2022, the group concludes that humans are the main drivers behind issues such as more intense heat waves, glaciers melting, and our oceans getting warmer. The report warned that if not enough is done, the world is close to reaching irreversible tipping points on climate change.

Sustainable Development

a mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.

Developed Countries, or First World Countries,

countries with a high standard of living. These countries are industrialised and have a high GDP per capita. Examples include the US, Japan, and Denmark.

Developing countries

countries with a less developed industrial base and a lower Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. Examples of developing countries include Afghanistan, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Bhutan.

Third World

 developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Emerging economies

countries that have some characteristics of a developed market, but do not satisfy standards to be termed a developed market. The four largest emerging economies are the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

corporate self-regulation whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the law, ethical standards, and international norms. The company takes the initiative to assess and take responsibility for its effects on environmental and social wellbeing. The efforts undertaken typically go beyond what may be required by regulators or environmental protection groups.

Green Technology

technology that is considered environmentally-friendly based on its production process or supply chain. It is also referred to as environmental technology and clean technology. By relying on alternative sources of energy, the purpose of this technology is to reduce global warming as well as the greenhouse effect. Its main objective is to find ways to consume energy in such a way that it does not damage or deplete the planet’s natural resources. It also expresses less harm to human, animal, and plant health, as well as less damage to the world, in general.

Greenwashing

the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice. Greenwashing can make a company appear to be more environmentally friendly than it really is.

Carbon neutrality or net zero carbon emissions

achieved when carbon emissions are balanced globally by carbon removals over a specified period.

Decarbonisation

the reduction of carbon emissions through the use of low carbon power sources, achieving a lower output of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. To date, 197 countries have pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. However, out of the top ten greenhouse gas emitters, only Japan, Canada and the EU have legally binding net zero commitments.