The climate lexicon

Normally used to describe the interrelated climate and biodiversity crisis.  

At Eden, we expand this to include the pollution of air and water and the deteriorating health of people and planet.

The damaging impacts of human-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the planet.

GHG emissions have risen at an unprecedented rate since pre-industrial times, causing global temperatures to rise by over 1˚C, with impacts on life and the environment.

The increasing loss of global biodiversity driven by human activity.

Global wildlife populations have declined by a staggering 69% since 1970, leading some scientists to label this period as the sixth mass extinction.

A gas that warms up the planet by absorbing heat in the atmosphere. Examples include, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour and synthetic gases like hydrofluorocarbons.

The result of bringing human produced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions down to zero: at least 90% needs to be done by stopping GHGs from being emitted. The remainder can be accounted for by absorbing GHGs from the atmosphere.

Refers to when no greenhouse gas emissions are being produced by a particular product or service.

Eden has signed up to Race to Zero via our official UN partner, Planet Mark. The campaign is designed to turn climate pledges into action. Members (which include businesses, cities, regions, investors and universities) pledge to achieve net zero by 2050 and deliver a decarbonisation plan aligned with limiting climate change to a 1.5˚C rise.

The main process through which net zero will be achieved – through stopping greenhouse gas emissions from direct sources (e.g energy production), indirect sources (e.g. purchased energy) and external sources (e.g supply and value chains).

The term we like to use at Eden. This refers to taking more greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere than we add, having a positive impact on climate change.  This can be achieved through natural carbon sinks and carbon removal technology. At Eden, we favour natural carbon sinks and are working to be climate positive by 2030 through projects that protect and restore nature.

CO2eq measures all kinds of greenhouse gases (such as methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour etc) in the terms of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is used because CO2 is the largest contributor to global warming, so it can make emissions easier to understand in this way.

Describes processes that works in a cyclical rather than linear fashion – just like nature. This means no waste or pollution accumulates, and products and materials are reused and recycled.

Generating a benefit environmentally, socially and economically rather than just minimising harm. Actively doing good for the health of the planet.

An action intended to compensate for the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a result of human activity. Includes:  

• Carbon removal credits, considered the strongest form of offset, which physically remove existing emissions 
• Carbon avoidance (or compensation) credits, which aim to prevent future emissions  

Offsetting emissions through a carbon offset project within your own value chain – e.g. growing your own woodland or avoiding, reducing or absorbing emissions within your organisation’s own value chain.