TERM and DEFINITION
A
Adaptation to climate change
Climate change adaptation refers to the process of adjusting and modifying human and natural systems in response to actual or expected changes in the Earth's climate.
B
Backcasting
Backcasting is a strategic planning technique that involves starting with a vision of a desired future and working backwards to identify the steps required to achieve that vision. It is a goal-oriented approach that helps organizations identify the necessary actions and milestones to achieve a particular vision of the future.
Bioenergy plants
Bioenergy plants are facilities that generate energy from biomass, which refers to organic materials such as wood, crops, or agricultural residues. These plants typically use combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion processes to convert biomass into energy in the form of heat, electricity, or liquid biofuels.
C
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.
Causal diagram approach
A causal diagram approach is a statistical method used to understand how different variables are related to each other. It involves creating a visual representation of the causal relationships between variables to identify and test hypotheses. It is used in fields such as epidemiology, economics, and social science to investigate the causes of health outcomes, economic trends, and social phenomena.
Circular economy
An economic model based on the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling resources, with the aim of reducing waste and preserving the environment.
Clean energy
Clean energy refers to energy sources that produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants, and have minimal impact on the environment.
Climate Change
Climate change refers to the long-term changes in global weather patterns, such as temperature and precipitation, that are largely caused by human activities that emit greenhouse gases. These changes have significant impacts on natural systems and human societies.
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 ‘multicausal’ 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 Law
The European Climate Law writes into law the goal set out in the European Green Deal for Europe’s economy and society to become climate-neutral by 2050. The law also sets the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Climate neutrality
Climate neutrality means balancing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere with the amount of emissions removed. This is typically achieved by reducing emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions through carbon removal projects.
Collective competence
Collective competence refers to the ability of a group or team to effectively and efficiently accomplish a task or goal through the combined skills, knowledge, and expertise of its individual members.
COP21
COP 21, or the 21st Conference of Parties, is an international environmental conference that took place in Paris, France, in December 2015. The primary objective of COP 21 was to negotiate a legally binding agreement to combat climate change and limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
COP27
COP27 is the 27th Conference of the Parties (countries) that signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The convention was established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and has been ratified by 198 countries. They agreed to stabilise the production of greenhouse gases in order to prevent dangerous climate change.
D
E
Economic reconversion of the territory
Economic reconversion is the process of transitioning an area's economy from a declining industry to a new, sustainable one. It involves creating new economic opportunities and industries to stimulate growth and improve the area's quality of life.
Economic restructuring
Economic restructuring refers to the process of changing the composition of an economy to adapt to new conditions or to address problems with the current economic system.
Ecological transition
Ecological transition refers to the process of shifting from an economic model based on the intensive exploitation of natural resources to a more sustainable economic model that respects the limits of the environment and seeks to preserve and restore natural ecosystems.
Environmental clean-up
Environmental clean-up is the process of removing or reducing pollution from the environment to make it safe and healthy, using physical, chemical, or biological methods.
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.
Environmental degradation
Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the natural environment, primarily caused by human activities such as pollution, deforestation, overfishing, and the use of non-renewable resources.
Environmental migration
The movement of people due to environmental factors, such as sea level rise, desertification, and extreme weather events.
Environmental mobilization
Environmental mobilization refers to the collective actions taken by individuals, groups, organizations, and communities to promote environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.
Environmental reclamation
Environmental reclamation refers to the process of restoring a damaged or degraded environment to its original state or to a state that is suitable for human use.
EU forest strategy for 2030
In July 2021, the European Commission adopted its communication on the new EU forest strategy for 2030, pursuing the biodiversity and climate neutrality objectives enshrined in the European Green Deal and the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. The strategy aims to improve the quantity and quality of EU multi-functional forests, by reversing negative trends and increasing their resilience against the high uncertainty brought about by climate change.
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 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.
European Pillars of Social Rights
The European Pillar of Social Rights is a set of 20 principles that were proclaimed by the European Union (EU) in November 2017, with the aim of improving the working and living conditions of people in the EU. The Pillar covers three main areas: equal opportunities and access to the labor market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion.
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.
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.
Friday for Future
Fridays for Future (FFF) is a youth-driven global climate strike movement that started in August 2018, when then 15-year-old Swede Greta Thunberg skipped school and staged sit-ins on Fridays outside the Swedish Parliament.
The goal of the movement is to put moral pressure on policymakers, to make them listen to the scientists, and then to take forceful action to limit global warming.
G
Global warming
Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature, primarily due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.
‘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.
“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 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.
Green economy
The green economy is an economic system that aims to promote sustainable development by using natural resources in a more efficient and sustainable way, reducing environmental impact, and promoting social equity.
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.
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.
H
I
Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation
Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation refers to a process of economic development that is socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and economically productive. This means that industrialisation should not only create jobs and increase productivity but also promote social equality, protect the environment, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Industrial reconversion
Industrial reconversion, also known as industrial conversion or economic conversion, refers to the process of transforming an industry or a region's economy from one type of production or activity to another. This change usually occurs due to changes in market demand, advancements in technology, or other economic factors that render the existing industry or economic model unviable or uncompetitive.
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. https://www.ipcc.ch
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.
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.
K
L
Local Energy Cooperative
A local energy cooperative is a non-profit organization owned and controlled by its members, focused on developing and managing renewable energy projects for the benefit of the community.
M
Management of natural resources
The management of natural resources refers to the process of controlling the use, development, and conservation of natural resources such as water, land, forests, minerals, and wildlife.
Mitigation (of climate change)
A human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance greenhouse gas sinks.
Mitigation strategies and policies
Mitigation strategies and policies refer to actions and measures taken to reduce or prevent the negative impact of a particular issue. In the context of climate change, mitigation strategies and policies are focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming by promoting the use of renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and implementing carbon capture and storage technologies.
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.
N
National Determined Contributions (NDC)
National Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the commitments that countries make under the Paris Agreement to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Each country is responsible for submitting its own NDCs, which include both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (building resilience to climate change) measures.
National Recovery Plan of the country
A National Recovery Plan is a comprehensive and strategic framework that outlines the actions, policies, and investments needed to address and recover from a significant crisis or disaster that has affected a country.
National Recovery and Resilience Plan
A National Recovery and Resilience Plan is a comprehensive policy framework developed by a government in response to a crisis or significant economic challenges. The plan outlines a series of policy measures and investment priorities aimed at supporting economic recovery, strengthening social protections, and promoting sustainable growth.
Nearshoring process
Nearshoring is a business practice of outsourcing tasks or processes to companies in nearby countries, usually with the goal of reducing costs while maintaining geographical proximity and cultural similarity.
O
Offshored value chain activities
Offshored value chain activities refer to the various stages of a company's production process or supply chain that are relocated or outsourced to another country or offshore location. The aim of offshoring these activities is often to reduce costs, increase efficiency, or access new markets.
Offshore wind farms
Offshore wind farms are large-scale wind energy projects located in bodies of water, typically in the ocean, that generate electricity using wind turbines mounted on tall structures anchored to the seabed.
P
PESTLE analysis
PESTLE analysis is a strategic framework used to assess and analyze the external macro-environmental factors that can impact an organization's operations, performance, and strategies.
Pedestrianisation
Pedestrianisation is the process of transforming a street, road, or area that was previously open to vehicular traffic into a space that is exclusively reserved for pedestrians.
PMI method
The PMI method, or Project Management Institute method, is a standardized approach to project management that is widely used by organizations around the world. It provides a structured framework for planning, executing, and controlling projects, with a focus on delivering projects within scope, on time, and within budget.
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.
Porto Declarations
The Porto Declaration is a document that was adopted at the Social Summit on May 7, 2021. The Social Summit brought together heads of state and government from the European Union (EU) and other international organizations to discuss social issues and agree on a shared vision for Europe's social future.
Q
R
Reclamation
Reclamation refers to the process of restoring or recovering land, typically after it has been disturbed or degraded by human activities such as mining, oil and gas development, or agriculture.
Recovery Plan
A recovery plan is a set of policies and actions designed to stimulate economic growth and address challenges in the aftermath of a crisis, such as a natural disaster, economic recession, or public health emergency.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy refers to energy generated from naturally replenishing resources, such as sunlight, wind, water, geothermal heat, and biomass.
Reshoring process
Reshoring is the process of returning the production and manufacturing of goods back to the company's original country. Reshoring is also known as onshoring, inshoring, or backshoring.
Reskilling
Reskilling refers to the process of learning new skills or acquiring additional knowledge to enable an individual to perform different or more advanced job roles. It is a proactive approach to adapting to changes in the job market or industry and often involves gaining new skills that are relevant to emerging technologies or trends.
S
Smart-energy products
Smart energy products are energy-related technologies that use advanced sensors and communication technologies to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and provide real-time data on energy usage.
Social dumping
The practice of reducing labour standards and social protections to gain a competitive advantage in global markets.
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.
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.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing economic growth with social development and environmental protection to ensure that resources are used in a way that is both sustainable and equitable for all.
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy refers to the energy that is obtained from renewable, non-depleting natural resources such as sunlight, wind, water, geothermal heat, and biomass, which have a minimal impact on the environment and can be replenished over time.
Sustainable mobility
Sustainable mobility is a concept for transforming transport from an ecological point of view. The aim is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in such a way that the ecosystem can regenerate.
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.
Systemic vision
Systemic vision refers to a way of perceiving and understanding the world that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of various elements within a system.
T
The territorial Just Transition Plans (EU)
Territorial just transition plans define the territories in which the Just Transition Fund will be used. These plans set out the challenges in each territory, as well as the development needs and objectives to be met by 2030.
‘Trajectories of change’ methodology
The ‘Trajectories of Change’ methodology is an approach used in social science research to understand and analyze the ways in which social, economic, political, and technological changes occur over time. It involves examining patterns and trends in the development of these changes, as well as identifying key factors that influence the direction and pace of change. The methodology is often used to explore complex and interrelated issues, such as sustainability, inequality, and globalization, and to develop strategies for addressing these challenges.
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.
Transition strategies
Transition strategies with regard to climate change refer to the plans and actions taken to help individuals, organizations, and society as a whole to transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems and high-carbon practices to low-carbon, sustainable practices that mitigate the impacts of climate change.
U
Upskilling
Upskilling refers to the process of learning new skills or improving existing ones in order to enhance one's performance, productivity, and value in the workplace.
V
Visioning
Visioning, on the other hand, is a creative process that involves imagining a desirable future state or outcome. It is a forward-looking approach that helps individuals and organizations define their long-term goals and aspirations.
W
Waste-to-energy solutions
Waste-to-energy solutions refer to technologies and processes that convert waste materials into usable forms of energy, such as electricity, heat, or fuel.
Wind power plants
Wind power plants, also known as wind farms, are facilities that harness the energy from wind to generate electricity.