key ESG-related terms and acronyms - Environmental Terms

Question 1

TCFD

Answer 1

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Question 2

SDGs

Answer 2

Sustainable Development Goals (by the United Nations)

Question 3

GHG

Answer 3

Greenhouse Gas

Question 4

COP28

Answer 4

Conference of the Parties 28 (UN Climate Change Conference)

Question 5

Net-Zero

Answer 5

Balancing emitted and absorbed carbon emissions

Question 6

Scope 1,2, 3 Emissions

Answer 6

Categories of carbon emissions to net zero through offsets

Question 7

Scope 1 Emissions

Answer 7

Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the organization e.g. Fuel combustion in company-owned vehicles

Question 8

Scope 2 Emissions

Answer 8

Indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling consumed by the organization e.g. Electricity purchased from a utility provider

Question 9

Scope 3 Emissions

Answer 9

All other indirect emissions occurring across the value chain, not owned or controlled by the organization e.g. Business travel and employee commuting

Question 10

Carbon Neutrality

Answer 10

Reducing carbon emissions to net zero through offsets

Question 11

LCA

Answer 11

Life Cycle Assessment

Question 12

CDP

Answer 12

Carbon Disclosure Project

Question 13

RE100

Answer 13

Global initiative for companies to commit to 100% renewable energy

Question 14

Greenwashing

Answer 14

Practice of misleading consumers by overstating or falsely claiming that a product, service or company is environmentally friendly or sustainable. This can erode confidence in genuine sustainability efforts, divert attention an resources away from authentic green innovations and increase scrutiny and penalties for deceptive advertising