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Given its many facets and implications, sustainability is an increasingly important and complex topic. In order to speak knowledgeably about it, one must have the right skills and master the terminology. That is why we have created a "Sustainability Glossary." Since the list is extensive, we have divided it into a series of articles. Today, we will explore general sustainability concepts.
An agreement signed by 194 countries and the EU that aims to limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C in order to avoid serious consequences due to climate change. To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries must set targets for their climate efforts every five years, increasing their level of ambition over time.
For more information: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20191115STO66603/eu-and-the-paris-agreement-towards-climate-neutrality
A plant-based fuel made from biomass, which is usually of agricultural origin. The most common types of biomass used for this purpose are corn, wheat, sugar beets, and sugarcane.
The process by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, soil, plants, and animals. This natural process is essential for regulating the Earth's climate because carbon exists in different forms, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air and carbonates in sediments.
An international treaty established during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent "dangerous anthropogenic interference" with the climate system. It unites nearly all countries worldwide and establishes the foundation for global cooperation on climate change.
An annual summit organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), during which participating countries negotiate agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. For example, the Paris Agreement, an important international climate treaty, was signed during the 2015 COP in Paris.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas produced both naturally and through human activity, particularly by the combustion of fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas). CO2 is the main contributor to global warming because it traps heat in the atmosphere. Reducing CO2 emissions is crucial to limiting climate change.
This term refers to the global climate emergency caused by human activities, such as the consumption of fossil fuels, deforestation, and intensive agriculture. Its effects include rising temperatures, extreme weather events, melting glaciers, and ocean acidification.
Deforestation is the destruction of forests, primarily due to agricultural expansion, livestock farming, timber harvesting, and urban development. In addition to reducing biodiversity, deforestation contributes to climate change because forests are an important source of mitigation: they absorb CO2 and produce oxygen.
It is a process of soil degradation that leads to the loss of fertility, resulting in the loss of both wild and cultivated vegetation. This process is caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. This threatens food security and the water supply in many regions.
An economic model that promotes the efficient use of resources through waste reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling of products. In contrast to the linear economy (extract, manufacture, dispose), the circular economy aims to maintain the value of materials and products for as long as possible.
A green economy pursues sustainable development and aims to reduce environmental risks and ecological impact. In a "green economy," economic growth is tied to environmental protection, improved human well-being, and social equity.
A set of practices and technologies that aim to reduce energy consumption while maintaining or improving performance. This involves reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of energy systems. Examples include using high-efficiency electric cars, producing energy from renewable sources, and insulating buildings.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) are emitted mainly from human activities, including agriculture and livestock farming. Agricultural emissions primarily result from the use of chemical fertilizers and livestock farming.
Energy produced from sources that are naturally replenished and have a lower environmental impact than fossil fuels. Examples include solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. Using renewable energy is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
The United Nations organization responsible for promoting food security and sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
A production and distribution system that reduces the number of intermediaries between agricultural producers and consumers. It encourages buying local products, which reduces transport-related emissions.
A movement that emphasizes the importance of fairness in climate policies and acknowledges that climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities. These communities include people in developing countries who have contributed the least to the problem yet suffer the most from its consequences.
The Group of 20 (G20) is a forum comprised of the world's 20 largest economies. Representatives from these countries meet to discuss global economic issues, including climate change and environmental policies. The group's decisions can significantly impact global climate policies.
Environmental impact refers to the effects that an activity or project has on the natural environment. This impact can be either positive or negative and includes aspects such as air and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, use of natural resources, and waste production. An environmental impact assessment is essential for managing and reducing negative effects on the planet.
The digital footprint is the environmental impact resulting from the use of digital technologies. This includes the energy consumed by servers that host data and the life cycle of electronic devices. It also encompasses the production of electronic waste and the pollution it generates.
This is an indicator that measures the impact of human activities on the environment. It is represented by the amount of natural resources used to sustain our lifestyle, including agricultural production.
This term refers to the purchase of large plots of land by governments or corporations, often in developing countries. Such acquisitions can undermine the rights of local communities, resulting in a loss of access to natural resources and contributing to issues like deforestation and food insecurity.
This adjective describes countries that are home to a significant portion of the world's biodiversity. Brazil and Indonesia are two such countries with extremely rich and varied ecosystems that are often threatened by human activities, such as deforestation and the exploitation of natural resources.
In the context of climate change, mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping to slow down the process. Examples of mitigation strategies include adopting renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and reforestation.
Adopted in 1997, this international agreement committed industrialized countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the first treaty of its kind, it laid the groundwork for subsequent agreements, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement.
It is the increase in the average global temperature caused by an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere resulting from human activities. This phenomenon is responsible for extreme weather events, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.
Food security is defined as the state in which all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times, in order to meet their dietary needs and food preferences and lead active, healthy lives. .
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