Here is a starting point for uncovering what common terms and ideas around sustainability means.

Biodiversity

The variety of all life, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity, leading to species extinction and habitat loss.

Carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organisation, event, or product, usually measured in CO₂ equivalents.

Carbon offsets

Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, organisation, or activity by funding projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere.  * See below for a fuller explanation.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂, either through natural means (like forests) or technological solutions (like carbon capture and storage technology).

Circular economy

An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources by rethinking how we produce and consume goods. This concept promotes recycling and reusing.

Climate adaptation

Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimise the damage caused by climate change, such as building flood defenses or developing drought-resistant crops.

Climate change

Refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily due to human activities, especially fossil fuel combustion.

Climate emergency

A situation in which urgent action is required to mitigate climate change impacts, often declared by governments and organisations to emphasize the need for immediate responses.

Climate justice

The ethical approach to climate change that seeks to address the disproportionate impacts on marginalised communities, and ensure equitable distribution of resources and responsibilities across the globe.

Climate mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases to combat climate change. This includes transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and protecting forests.

Climate resilience

The ability of a system or community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate impacts, ensuring long-term sustainability and stability.

Decarbonisation

The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity, industry, and transportation. This often involves a transition to cleaner energy sources.

Environmentally-friendly

Any action that seeks to make a positive change to reduce negative impacts on the environment, or actively improve the environment. Often used to describe how something is made and what it is made from.

Fossil fuels

Natural substances such as coal, oil, and natural gas formed from ancient organic matter. They are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions and are non-renewable. When they run out, there is no alternative.

Green Rider

Julie’s Bicycle has developed a Green Rider in consultation with a range of arts organisations and will update the rider annually in response to user feedback and increased knowledge in the field.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect which is warming the earth.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

A scientific body under the UN responsible for providing objective information about climate change, its impacts, and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Offsets

See carbon offsets and below for more information.

Net zero

Achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively reducing net emissions to zero.

The Paris Agreement

An international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, rather than from coal or oilwhich will run out.

Sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often incorporating economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

More on Carbon Offsets and Offsetting

Carbon offsets are a way to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, organisation, or activity by funding projects that reduce or remove an equivalent amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere.

How it works: When you purchase carbon offsets, you’re essentially investing in initiatives that help mitigate climate change. These can include:

• Reforestation: Planting trees that absorb CO₂ as they grow.
• Renewable energy projects: Supporting wind, solar, or hydroelectric energy projects that displace fossil fuel use.
• Energy efficiency projects: Funding improvements in buildings or industrial processes that reduce energy consumption.
• Methane capture: Investing in projects that capture methane emissions from landfills or agricultural operations.
  
  While offsets can help finance sustainable projects, they are often criticised for allowing individuals and companies to avoid making substantial changes to their own emissions. The effectiveness of offsets can vary significantly based on the project and its implementation.
  
  When considering offsets, it’s essential to choose high-quality projects that are verified by credible standards (like the Verified Carbon Standard or Gold Standard) and focus on reducing emissions at the source whenever possible.
  
  Overall, carbon offsets can be a useful tool in a broader climate strategy, but they should complement, not replace, direct actions to reduce emissions.