Glossary
To provide an understanding of some of the terms and phrases included on this site (and other sites we refer to) we include this glossary for your reference:
Term
Definition
Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint is the sum of all CO2 emissions that are directly and indirectly associated with your activities over a given time frame (usually a year).
Carbon Neutral
Carbon neutral is where an individual or company's carbon emissions are effectively reduced to zero through a combination of reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy and offsetting the remainder by (for example) planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon Offset
A carbon offset is a financial donation or other act that aims to remove a certain amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, to compensate for another carbon dioxide emitting activity.
Carbon Tax
Carbon tax is a charge on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) based on their carbon content.
Climate Change
Climate change is a change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability over comparable time periods.
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.(CPRS)
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is an emissions trading scheme which will use a cap and trade mechanism.
Emissions
Emissions are the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
EMS
An 'Environmental Management System' is a tool for managing the impacts of an organisation's activities on the environment. It provides a structured approach to planning and implementing environment protection measures.
ETS
Emissions Trading Scheme
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by naturally occurring heat-retaining atmospheric gases (water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and ozone) that keeps the earth about 30 degrees celsius (60F) warmer than if these gases did not exist.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydro fluorocarbons (Huffs), per fluorocarbons (Pecs) and sculpture hexafluoride (SF6).
GHG Inventory
A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory is a breakdown of emissions by activity for an organisation, expressed in terms of CO2-e.
GHG Protocol
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
ISO 14000
ISO 14000 is currently being developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). It is a collection of voluntary standards that assists organisations to achieve environmental and financial gains through the implementation of effective environmental management. ISO 14001 is the standard for Environment Management Systems (EMS). Many large businesses, particularly overseas, have obtained certification under the standard.
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the UNFCCC. Among other things, the Protocol sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries.
NGA Factors
The National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors has been prepared by the Department of Climate Change. The NGA Factors is designed for use by companies and individuals to estimate greenhouse gas emissions for reporting under various government programs and for their own purposes.
NGER
National Greenhouse & Energy Reporting
OSCAR
Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting (OSCAR).
Target Offsets
Target offsets are any targeted Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions.
