Sustainability Glossary
This section provides information about essential terminology within the sustainability field. The definitions are at a “need to know” level to enable a better understanding of core concepts.
Term | Definition | Source / Further Reading / Comment |
|---|---|---|
Biomimicry | Biomimicry is a practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges (Biomimicry Institute) | |
Circular Economy | A system where materials never become waste (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) | https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview |
Dougnut Economy | A dougnut-shaped space in which humanity can strive, with an ecological ceiling outside ensuring that planetary boundaries are respected and a social foundation inside ensuring that no one is left falling short on life’s essentials (Doughnut Economics Action Lab). | |
Footprint | Sum of nature we use for a certain activity | https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/ecological-footprint/ |
Handprint | Sum of positive impacts on the world | https://handprint.tech/regeneration-vs-sustainability-from-footprints-to-handprints/ |
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) | Assessment of the environmental impact of a product or service ranging from raw material extraction to waste treatment | https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/life-cycle-assessment |
Performance Reporting / Measurement | Describing what is and comparing it with a defined target | Green PO understanding |
Planetary boundaries | Safe operating space for humanity with respect to the Earth system and associated with the planet's biophysical subsystems or processes, structured in nine sub-spaces (Rockström, 2009, Nature) | https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html |
Regeneration | Restore to a better state | https://capitalinstitute.org/8-principles-regenerative-economy/ |
Renewable | Resources that naturally renew itself | Green PO understanding |
Reporting | Describing what is, without having targets (see Performance Reporting) | Green PO understanding |
Sustainability | Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (UN Brundtland Commission) |