TERM and DEFINITION
A
Acidification
The process of becoming acidic or more acidic, this usually refers to the increase in acidity of soil, water, or atmosphere caused by human activity.
Adaptation (to climate change)
In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects. Adaptation can be incremental (adaptation maintains the essence and integrity of a system or process at a scale) or transformational (adaptation that changes the fundamental attributes of a socio-ecological system in anticipation of climate change and its impact).
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B
Biodiversity
Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (UN, 1992).
Blue-collar workers
Manual labourers who typically work in the industrial, construction, and manufacturing sectors.
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Building Information Modelling (BIM)
A digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure project, used for design, construction, and maintenance.
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Brundtland report
Also known as the "Our Common Future" report, published by the United Nations in 1987. It defined sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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C
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
A policy tool aimed at addressing carbon leakage, where emissions-intensive industries shift their production to countries with less stringent environmental regulations, by imposing a tax or tariff on carbon-intensive goods imported into a jurisdiction.
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Carbon Capture. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS)
a process in which a relatively pure stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial and energy-related sources is separated (captured), conditioned, compressed and transported to a storage location for long- term isolation from the atmosphere. Sometimes referred to as Carbon capture and storage.
Carbon dioxide capture and utilisation (CCU)
A process in which CO2 is captured and then used to produce a new product. If the CO2 is stored
in a product for a climate-relevant time horizon, this is referred to as carbon dioxide capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Only then, and only combined with CO2 recently removed from the atmosphere, can CCUS lead to carbon dioxide removal.
CO2-Carbon dioxide
A naturally occurring gas, CO2 is also a by-product of burning fossil fuels (such as oil, gas and coal), of burning biomass, of land-use changes (LUC) and of industrial processes (e.g., cement production). It is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) that affects the Earth’s radiative balance. It is the reference gas against which other GHGs are measured and therefore has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1. See also Greenhouse gas (GHG)1
Carbon neutral
Achieving a balance between carbon emissions and absorption. Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is referred to as carbon sequestration or immobilisation. To achieve this, the emission of greenhouse gases (Ghg, Greenhouse Gas) will have to be offset by the absorption of carbon emissions.
Climate neutrality
The neutralisation of greenhouse gases and climate-changing substances in general and not just Co2 emissions.
Carbon leakage
The phenomenon of emissions-intensive industries relocating to countries with less stringent environmental regulations to avoid the costs associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Carbon sinks
Natural or artificial systems that absorb and store more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they emit, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Carbon tax
A tax imposed on the carbon content of fuels, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of cleaner energy sources.
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Case study
A case study approach involves the investigation of a real-life phenomenon through detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships.
COP
The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the Supreme Body of UN conventions, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, comprising parties with a right to vote that have ratified or acceded to the Convention.
Climate Change FACTS - Economy and Financing (ONU)
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/key-findings
Climate Change
a set of serious environmental alterations, linked to human activities, responsible for the emission of large quantities of greenhouse gases and the consequent increase in the earth’s temperature. This climate alteration can give rise to other crises of an environmental (damage related to floods, droughts and fires), social (migratory phenomena) and political (different use of public resources) kind.
Climate-induced migration
Climate catastrophes like abnormal heavy rainfall, prolonged droughts or wildfires can result in permanent or temporary displacement of people. This phenomenon, called 'climate-induced migration, which can cumulate in situations where people are displaced across borders, illustrates a complex nexus between labour migration and climate change.
Climate-induced migration is a ‘multi causal’ and ‘multidimensional’ phenomenon . It occurs most often in the Global South, but this doesn't mean that the Global North is spared.
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Climate sensitivity
The measure of the Earth's temperature response to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, used to predict the impacts of climate change.
Circular economy
A model of production and consumption that aims to maintain the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible by returning them to the product cycle at the end of their use while minimising the generation of waste.
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Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)
A plan of action from the European Commission aimed at transitioning to a more sustainable and circular economy, reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources.
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Climate action
Actions taken to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of global warming.
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Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)
The European Union's agricultural policy, aimed at ensuring a stable food supply and fair prices for farmers, while promoting environmental and rural development.
Collective Competence
The collective competence is one the five metacompetences of the ETUI’s Green Competence Framework Approach. It represents the ability to build solidarity within ( between sectors) and beyond the union movement. It encompasses building alliances with civil society and other environmental NGOs.
Crowdsourcing
The practice of obtaining information, ideas, or services from a large and undefined group of people, typically through the internet, to solve a problem or complete a task.
Carbon sources
Any human or natural activity that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. Examples include the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Climate neutrality
A state in which the net emissions of greenhouse gases are equal to zero, achieved by balancing emissions with removal through activities such as reforestation and carbon capture and storage.
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D
Decent work
Means productive work in
which rights are protected, which generates
an adequate income, with adequate social protection. It also means sufficient work, in the sense that all should have full access to income- earning opportunities. It marks the high road to economic and social development, a road in which employment, income and social protection can be achieved without compromising workers’ rights and social standards.
Direct consequences of climate change
The physical and environmental impacts of global warming, including sea level rise, more frequent heatwaves, extreme weather events, and changes in the distribution of species and ecosystems.
E
The earth submit
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which marked a turning point in international efforts to address environmental and development issues, including climate change.
Ecosystem
A community of living and non-living things interacting with each other in a specific environment, such as a forest, a lake, or the ocean.
Eco-driving
Is the adoption of a driving behavior (or a driving style) that aims at saving fuel and reducing harmful emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In general, it refers to the adjustment of the vehicle’s moving speed (in relation to traffic conditions) and the choice of routes that minimize fuel consumption.
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European Green Deal
A plan of action from the European Commission aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, through measures such as transitioning to clean energy, promoting circular economy, and preserving biodiversity.
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Electromobility
Or e-mobility refers to clean and efficient transport, using electric vehicles, powered either by batteries or by hydrogen fuel cells.
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Emission Trading system ETS
The EU emissions trading system (ETS) puts a cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and divides them into emissions allowances that permit the emission of one tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) or CO2- equivalent. Most of these allowances are auctioned. However, industries at risk of carbon leakage (i.e. relocation of production because of differences in carbon prices) receive free
ETS allowances. In July 2021, the Commission presented the ‘fit for 55’ package to deliver on the EU 55 % net GHG emissions reduction target by 2030. As part of this package, the CBAM will gradually be introduced for certain third-country imports.
Environmental bonuses
Environmental Bonuses (called “Eco-Bonus” in Italy) are policy measures adopted by the Italian Government in 2020 and 2021. They consist of tax breaks that can be applied for by private citizens and condominiums that decide to carry out building renovations, energy efficiency and building safety.
Environmental Impact
Qualitative and/or quantitative, direct and indirect, short and long- term, permanent and temporary, single and cumulative, positive and negative alteration
of the environment, produced by causes attributable to human activities.
Eco-tourism
Tourism that focuses on experiencing natural areas, with the aim of supporting conservation and sustainability efforts, while respecting local cultures and communities.
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Energy poverty
Energy poverty is a pressing issue the European Union (EU) that can have serious implications on the quality of life of those living within it. It is defined as the inability to access and afford adequate energy services and is typically experienced by lower income households, who are unable to meet their basic energy needs. In the EU, it is estimated that over 50 million people are affected by energy poverty, with approximately 25 million households at risk of suffering from its effects.
Energy Transition
The energy transition is a pathway toward transformation of the global energy sector from fossil-based to zero-carbon by the second half of this century. At its heart is the need to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions to limit climate change.
EU Zero Pollution Ambition for 2050
A target set by the European Union to achieve a pollution-free environment by 2050, through measures such as reducing emissions from industry, agriculture, and transport, and promoting circular economy and sustainability.
European Climate Law
A legislative proposal to protect the European Union's climate objectives into law, including the target of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
European Mobility Package
A set of proposals from the European Commission aimed at transforming the way people and goods move across Europe, through measures such as reducing emissions from transport, promoting sustainable and safe mobility, and improving road safety.
European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
The largest federation of trade unions in Europe, representing over 45 million workers from affiliated organisations in 38 countries, promoting social and economic progress, democracy, and human rights.
ETUI’s Green Competence Framework Approach
The ETUI’s green competence approach is built around five “high-level” competences or metacompetences which are:
Collective competence– solidarity within and beyond the union movement, building alliances with civil society
Prospective competence– planning how to respond to the consequences of environmental policies.
Ethics and responsibility competence – taking care of present and future generations of workers in a carbon-neutral economy.
Systemic competence – ensuring that decisions taken in favour of some workers do not interact adversely with decisions taken for others.
Competence in terms of change– analysing strong and weak signals of change and their impacts.
F
‘Farm to Fork’ strategy of the European Commission
A strategy adopted by the European Commission in 2021, aimed at transforming the way food is produced, processed, and consumed in Europe, to ensure a sustainable, healthy, and fair food system.
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Fit for 55 package
A set of proposals from the European Commission aimed at enabling the European Union to achieve its 55% emissions reduction target by 2030, through measures such as increasing the share of renewables, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions from sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
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Fossil fuel
Is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, coal products, natural gas, derived gas, crude oil, petroleum products and non-renewable wastes. These fuels originate from plants and animals that existed in the geological past (for example, millions of years ago). Fossil fuels can be also made by industrial processes from other fossil fuels (for example in the oil refinery, crude oil is transformed into motor gasoline). Fossil fuels are carbon-based and their combustion results in the release of carbon into the Earth’s atmosphere (carbon that was stored hundreds of millions years ago). It is estimated that roughly 80% of all manmade CO2 and green-house gas emissions originate from fossil fuel combustion.
G
Global warming
Changes in the surface-air temperature, referred to as the global temperature, brought about by the greenhouse effect which is induced by emission of greenhouse gases into the air.
Green Deal
The European Green Deal is a set of climate and environmental initiatives proposed by the European Commission in 2019 to make the EU’s economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
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‘Green’ Collective Bargaining
i.e. bargaining on issues related to environmental protection, with a view to including in collective agreements; ‘green’ clauses, which include (Agreenment: Comparative Report):
clauses that establish objectives, whether generic or specific, to be met by companies as economic actors;
establishment of obligations for companies as employers (e.g. staff training);
clauses linking green content to the regulation of workers’ health;
creation of specific bodies for the company’s environmental management;
clauses monitoring the application of the commitments made by the company.
IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Green competences
Green competences” or sustainability competences are competences that empower someone to embody sustainability values, and embrace complex systems, in order to take or request action that restores and maintains ecosystem health and enhances justice, generating visions for sustainable futures.
Green Jobs
Green jobs can be understood as those jobs that in some way contribute to the protection or restoration of the environment. These may include jobs that protect ecosystems and biodiversity or reduce energy and raw material consumption or reduce waste and pollution. These are jobs in the wind energy sector, organic farms, eco-tourism, production of wind turbine equipment, construction activities related to energy efficiency and others.
Green Skills
There is no universally agreed definition of green skills. Green skills design generic and technical skills.
Generic skills aims at adapting current job practices, improving resource efficiency, raising awareness of eco-activities and transition, educating to sustainable citizenship.
Technical skills aims at implementing standards, processes to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy, materials and water consumption. Other are highly-specialised skills to develop and implement sustainable technologies (e.g. adaptation of existing energies, renewable energies, sewage treatment and recycling).
Green transition
A process of transitioning to a sustainable and low-carbon economy, through measures such as increasing the use of renewables, improving energy efficiency, and reducing emissions from sectors such as transportation, buildings, and industry.
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Greenhouse effect
The process by which greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat and warm the planet, causing global temperatures to rise.
Greenhouse gases
Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, produced by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture.
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I
Indirect consequences of climate change
The social, economic, and political impacts of global warming, including displacement of people, increased poverty, food and water scarcity, and conflict.
Invasive species
Non-native species that establish themselves in new ecosystems and cause harm to native species, through competition, predation, or disease, disrupting the balance of ecosystems and affecting biodiversity.
InvestEU fund
A proposed investment fund from the European Commission, aimed at boosting investment in Europe, by leveraging private investment and providing finance for key priorities such as innovation, research, and environmental transition.
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IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options. The IPCC prepares comprehensive Assessment Reports about the state of scientific, technical and socio-economic knowledge on climate change, its impact and future risks, and options for reducing the rate at which climate change is taking place. It also produces Special Reports on topics agreed by its member governments, as well as Methodology Reports that provide guidelines for the preparation of greenhouse gas inventories.
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J
Just Transition
A concept that aims to ensure that the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy is fair and inclusive, by protecting workers and communities affected by changes in the energy system, and supporting the development of new green jobs and skills.
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Just Transition Fund (EU)
A proposed fund from the European Commission, aimed at supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy in Europe, by providing financing for regions and sectors affected by the energy transition, and promoting the development of new green jobs and skills.
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K
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty adopted in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, at the Third Session of the Conference Of the Parties (COP 3) to the UNFCCC. It contains legally binding commitments, in addition to those included in the UNFCCC. Countries included in Annex B of the Protocol (mostly OECD countries and countries with economies in transition) agreed to reduce their anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride, by at least 5% below 1990 levels in the first commitment period (2008/2012). The Kyoto Protocol came into effect on 16 February 2005 and as of May 2018 had 192 Parties (191 States and the European Union). A second commitment period was agreed in December 2012 at Cop 18, known as the Doha Amendment to Kyoto Protocol, in which a new set of Parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18% below 1990 levels in the period from 2013 and 2020. However, as of May 2018, the Doha Amendment had not received sufficient ratifications to come into effect.
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M
Mitigation (of climate change)
A human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance greenhouse gas sinks.
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Mitigation measures
In climate policy, mitigation measures are technologies, processes or practices that contribute to mitigation, for example, renewable energy technologies, waste minimisation processes and public transport commuting practices.
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Multimodal
Relating to or involving multiple modes or forms of communication, transportation, or representation, often referring to multimodal transportation systems, education, or media.
Multimodal transport
Multimodal transport is the use of different modes of transportation for a single shipment, generally involving two or more of land, sea and air.
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N
No jobs on a death planet
https://www.etuc.org/en/no-jobs-dead-planet
National Recovery and Resilience Plan
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National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)
The national energy and climate plans (NECPs) were introduced by the ➛ Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU)2018/1999, agreed as part of the ➛ Clean energy for all Europeans package, which was adopted in 2019. The national plans outline how the EU countries intend to address: energy efficiency, renewables, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, interconnections, research and innovation. This approach requires a coordination of purpose across all government departments and it provides a level of planning that will ease public and private investment.
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Nature-based solutions (NBSs)
An approaches to solving environmental problems that use natural systems and processes, such as restoring ecosystems, rather than artificial and technical solutions.
Net gas emissions: amount of greenhouse gases that are completely absorbed or neutralised, leaving no harmful residues in the atmosphere as a result.
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P
Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in December 2015 in Paris, France, at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC.
The agreement, adopted by 196 parties to the UNFCCC, came into effect on 4 November 2016 and as of May 2018 had 195 Signatories and was ratified by 177 Parties.
One of the goals of the Paris Agreement is “Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5° above pre-industrial levels”, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impact of climate change.
Additionally, the Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of Climate Change. The Paris Agreement was intended to become fully effective in 2020.
Policies for climate mitigation and adaptation
Policies are taken and / or mandated by a government – often in conjunction with business and industry within a single country, or collectively with other countries – to accelerate mitigation and adaptation measures. Examples of policies are support mechanisms for renewable energy supplies, carbon or energy taxes, fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.
PESTLE analysis
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Paris rulebook
A set of guidelines adopted by the Paris Agreement to facilitate the implementation of the treaty and promote consistency and transparency in reporting on the Parties’ actions and support.
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R
Recovery and Resilience Facility
An European Union fund set up to support member states in their economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and their transition towards a green and digital economy.
Recycling
A resource recovery method involving the collection and treatment of a waste product for use as raw material in the manufacture of the same or a similar product.
Renewable Energy
Or ‘energy from renewable sources’ means energy from renewable non- fossil sources, namely wind, solar (solar thermal and solar photovoltaic) and geothermal energy, ambient energy, tide, wave and other ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas, and biogas.
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Reskilling/Upskilling
Upskilling: investing in improving existing skills. Reskilling: training in new skills
S
Social dumping
There is no universally accepted definition of ‘social dumping’, despite this being a much-debated issue. Across definitions, two key aspects emerge: downward pressure on social conditions and unfair competition on the basis of lowered costs. Thus, it may occur domestically from cost pressures due to competition from countries with lower social conditions. Within public discourse, the term primarily refers to international, cross-border situations. Regarding the posting of workers, the European Commission describes the practice as a situation ‘where foreign service providers can undercut local service providers because their labour standards are lower.
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Social dialogue
Social dialogue is the process of negotiation by which different actors in society (or ‘social partners') reach agreement to work together on policies and activities. Social dialogue takes place at national and sectoral as well as European level. ‘Bipartite' social dialogue brings together workers and employers, whereas ‘tripartite' social dialogue also involves government or EU representatives.
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Sustainability
A dynamic process that guarantees the persistence of natural and human systems in an equitable manner.
Sustainable development
Has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. [...] For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to harmonize three core elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.
Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 global goals for development for all countries established by the United Nations through a participatory process and elaborated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including ending poverty and hunger, ensuring health and wellbeing, education, gender equality, clean water and energy, and decent work: building and ensuring resilient and sustainable infrastructure, cities and consumption; reducing inequalities; protecting land and water ecosystems; promoting peace, justice and partnerships; and taking urgent action on climate change.
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Sustainable mobility
Aims to ensure that transport systems meet society’s economic, social and environmental needs whilst minimising their undesirable impacts on the economy, society and the environment.
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SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate an organisation's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
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Systemic competence
Systemic competence is the ability to develop a systemic thinking approach. It represents on the five metacompetences of the ETUI’s Green Competence Framework Approach.
Systemic thinking approach
A systemic thinking approach allows us to understand reality in relation to other contexts (local, nation, global) and fields (environment, social, economic, cultural). It is critical for advancing sustainability. Thinking in systems enables us to identify feedback mechanisms, intervention points and interactive trajectories. Contrary to this, fragmentary thinking, i.e. analysing parts in isolation, instead of the whole interconnected system, increases short-termism and could led to an oversimplification of sustainability problems which may not correspond to reality.
T
Transition (ecological)
Transition is a period of change or break between two states. The ecological transition (in the broad sense) aims to put in place a resilient and sustainable development model that rethinks our ways of consuming, producing, working and living together.
The territorial Just Transition Plans (EU)
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Twin Transition
The integration of the European Union’s objectives of a green and digital transition into a single, coherent, and integrated strategy.
U
UNFCCC
The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) was adopted in May 1992 and opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It came into effect in March 1994 and as of May 2018 had 197 Parties (196 Countries and the European Union). The Convention’s ultimate objective is the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. The provisions of the Convention are pursued and implemented by two treaties: the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
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Visual toolbox for system innovation
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Zero pollution
Zero pollution is a term that refers to an environment in which all forms of pollution, including air, water, and soil contamination, are absent. Zero pollution is a goal that environmentalists, governments, and communities strive for in order to create an environment that is healthy and safe for all living creatures. Zero pollution means that man-made pollutants, such as industrial waste, chemicals, and exhaust from vehicles, have no presence in the environment. Instead, natural resources like clean water, fresh air, and uncontaminated soil are made available for all to enjoy.
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