An IMPACT library of easy-to-watch videos about the negative impact of our consumption and materialism, habits and lifestyles on communities and the environment; and the positive initiatives and innovations that are part of the solution.
Difficult times call for difficult questions and uncomfortable conversations about our values and
our actions … or lack of it. We are the problem and we are the solution.
Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good.
The systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled.
The process of qualifying, endorsing and licensing entities that perform certification. In other words, accreditation is certifying the certifier.
Climate justice is a concept that addresses the just division, fair sharing, and equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of climate change and responsibilities to deal with climate change. Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good.
Social justice is justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. Social justice means that everyone’s human rights are respected and protected. Everyone has equal opportunities. This doesn’t guarantee that society will be perfect and everyone will always be happy. However, everyone will have a fighting chance at the life they want and aren’t held back by things out of their control like systemic obstacles or discrimination.
The science and art of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities.
The well-being of non-human animals using measures such as longevity, disease, immunosuppression, behavior, physiology, and reproduction.
In computer science, AI (sometimes called machine intelligence) is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans.
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory.
The total variety of all life on earth. The variability of life on Earth which is typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level.
Biophilia, which literally translates to “love of life,” is the idea that this fascination and communion with nature stem from an innate, biologically-driven need to interact with other forms of life such as animals and plants.
Direct emissions from a business’s operations such as fuel combustion, operation of vehicles and fugitive emissions.
Indirect emissions resulting from the generation of purchased electricity, heating or cooling and steam by a business.
Indirect emissions that occur in a business’s value chain such as purchased goods and services, business travel, employee commuting, waste disposal, transportation up- and downstream, investments, leased assets, and franchise activities.
Measure of the impact that human activity has on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.
Means the same as Climate Positive, which means that activity goes beyond achieving net-zero carbon emissions to create an environmental benefit by removing additional CO2 from the atmosphere.
Means any CO2 released into the atmosphere from a company’s activities is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed. Refers Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions.
Means any CO2 released into the atmosphere from the company’s activities is balanced by an equivalent amount being removed. Reaching net zero means removing human-made CO2 emissions from the atmosphere through reduction and offsetting. (Same as Carbon Neutral)
Negating – or offsets – the same amount of carbon emissions we release into the atmosphere by simply buying carbon credits to cancel out our emissions on a voluntary or compliance basis by government policy. The credits are related to a wide array of environmentally friendly projects, such as protecting the Amazon rainforests, or providing renewable electricity to communities in developing economies.
Means the same as Climate Positive and Carbon Negative, which means that activity goes beyond achieving net-zero carbon emissions to create an environmental benefit by removing additional CO2 from the atmosphere. This is an additional ‘positive’ or ‘net export’. This is better than Net Zero or Carbon Neutral.
Verification by a conformity assessment body that a management system conforms to the requirements of a standard.
An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources (also referred to as "circularity"). Circular systems employ reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling to create a closed-loop system, minimising the use of resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions.
The scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur (or nonprofessional) scientists (also known as community science, crowd science, crowd-sourced science, civic science, public participation in scientific research or volunteer monitoring.
UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change
A term describing global warming and climate change, and their consequences.
Refers to reducing all GHG to the point of zero while eliminating all other negative environmental impacts that an organisation may cause.
Also known as Climatology (from Greek κλίμα, klima, "place, zone"; and -λογία, -logia) the scientific study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time.
Trading and the accumulation of wealth. Uncontrolled, commerce has had negative impacts, but conducted in a more holistic and sustainable way, it can be a positive contributor
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government. A group of people having common interests. People matter and it is the right of every person to have their basic needs met and enhancing the well-being of communities is a fundamental obligation of all
An aerobic method (meaning that it requires the presence of air) of decomposing organic solid wastes or recycling organic material into a humus-like material, known as compost, which is a good fertilizer for plants.
The protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity. A plan for avoiding the unnecessary use of natural materials, such as wood, water, or fuel, that exist in limited amounts. Conservation safeguard biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem services it provides which support global needs.
CSR helps a company be socially accountable—to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. CSR is a broader concept than corporate sustainability and both focus on helping companies run in a way that allows them to be ethically profitable—never at the expense of others. Both help companies make a positive impact on those around them.
3 Differences Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability
The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. Also the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time. Our world is culturally diverse an celebrating commonality is what nurtures understanding and respecting difference is crucial to our future.
The removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to a non-forest use. Fact: Between 15 - 18 million hectares of forest, an area the size of Belgium are destroyed every year, on average 2,400 trees are cut down each minute.
Biophilic design is design that cultivate the love of living things and connect with nature.
Zero net energy buildings get half or more of their energy from the grid, and return the same amount over the course of a year. Buildings that produce a surplus of energy over the year may be called "energy-plus buildings" and buildings that consume slightly more energy than they produce are called "near-zero energy buildings" or "ultra-low energy houses".
Also known as urban sustainability, or eco-city (also “ecocity”) is a city designed with consideration for social, economic, environmental impact (commonly referred to as the triple bottom line), and resilient habitat for existing populations, without compromising the ability of future generations to experience the same.
It’s about doing less damage and contributes to the health of a place, use less energy and materials, have a healthier and more comfortable spaces for occupants, has lower environmental impact, are relatively low cost to run and are more valuable properties in the long term.
Reflect the concept of environmental protection and awareness, and aim to have minimal to zero impact on the environment.
A digital detox is when you disconnect from your TV, smartphone, video games, and social media so you can focus on real-life without the distraction of a screen.
The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.
A vehicle that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion, and may be powered through a collector system by electricity from off-vehicle sources, or may be self-contained with a battery, solar panels, fuel cells or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity. EVs include, but are not limited to, road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.
In physics, energy is the quantitative property that must be transferred to an object in order to perform work on, or to heat, the object.
A method to measure human demand on natural capital, i.e. the quantity of nature it takes to support people or an economy. It tracks this demand through an ecological accounting system.
Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s environmental aspects.
Part of an organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental aspects.
Pertains to intentionally purchasing products which are manufactured with minimal harm to animals, environment and humans. The purpose is to choose companies that adhere to Supplier Code of Conduct on human rights, corruption, labour conditions, environmental impacts & track scope 3 carbon emissions.
The termination of an organism or species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point.
An arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Members of the Fair Trade movement add the payment of higher prices to exporters, as well as improved social and environmental standards.
Any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. Food is usually of plant, animal or fungal in origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.
Someone who consumes both plant and animal based food.
Someone who does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarian diets contain various levels of fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. The inclusion of dairy and eggs depends on the type of diet followed. The most common types are:
The environmental pressures created by the food demands of individuals, organizations, and geopolitical entities including multiple parameters to quantify the overall environmental impact of food, including carbon footprinting, water footprinting, and foodshed mapping.
Any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.
Green New Deal (GND) proposals call for public policy to address climate change along with achieving other social aims like job creation and reducing economic inequality. The name refers back to the New Deal, a set of social and economic reforms and public works projects undertaken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.
A gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect.
A form of marketing spin in which green PR (green values) and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’; appeal to nature.
The European Green Deal (EU) – a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It supports the transformation of the EU into a fair and prosperous society with a modern and competitive economy.
The Green Deal (UK) – a government policy initiative that gave homeowners, landlords and tenants the opportunity to pay for energy efficient home improvements through the savings in their energy bills.
The Green New Deal (USA) - A Congressional resolution introduced by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey — first in 2019 then again in 2021 — with the support of more than 100 cosponsors. This resolution lays out goals for upgrading our crumbling infrastructure, modernizing cities, and overhauling energy, transportation, industrial, and agriculture systems to get to 100 percent renewable energy as soon as possible. It includes proposals for how to clean up our air and water and free communities from toxic pollution. And it’s a roadmap for creating high-quality jobs with good wages and benefits, worker protections, and the right to form a union.
Wastewater generated in households or office buildings from streams without fecal contamination. Sources are all streams except for the wastewater from toilets including sinks, showers, baths, washing machines or dishwashers. Also known as sullage.
Tactically and efficiently take a solution directly to a problem
A form of endearment, universal in human communities, in which two or more people put their arms around the neck, back, or waist of one another and hold each other closely.
Standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings. Human rights govern how individual human beings live in society and with each other, as well as their relationship with the State and the obligations that the State have towards them. Human rights law obliges governments to do some things, and prevents them from doing others. Individuals also have responsibilities: in using their human rights, they must respect the rights of others. No government, group or individual person has the right to do anything that violates another’s rights.
The expulsion, imprisonment, or killing of an ethnic minority by a dominant majority in order to achieve ethnic homogeneity. Along with direct removal (deportation, population transfer), it also includes indirect methods aimed at coercing the victim group to flee and preventing its return, such as murder, rape, and property destruction. Although the term ethnic cleansing has no legal definition under international criminal law, it constitutes a crime against humanity.
the use of something in order to get an advantage from it
The intentional action to destroy a people—usually defined as an ethnic, national, racial, or religious group—in whole or in part. Genocide was first recognised as a crime under international law in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly ( A/RES/96-I ).
Also known as human trafficking, the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and ova removal.
Ice glacier - A body of dense ice formed where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. that is constantly moving under its own weight. A glacier slowly deform and flow under stresses induced by their weight, creating crevasses, seracs, and other distinguishing features. They also abrade rock and debris from their substrate to create landforms such as cirques, moraines, or fjords. Glaciers form only on land.
Ice cap - a large body of glacial ice astride a mountain, mountain range, or volcano with an area less than 50,000 km (19,000 sq mi).
The descendants of those who inhabited a country or a geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origins arrived, and practice unique traditions and retain social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are clearly different from those of the dominant societies in which they live. It is estimated that there are more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide.
An invasive species is an introduced organism that negatively alters its new environment. Although their spread can have beneficial aspects, invasive species adversely affect the invaded habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage.
The interests, opinions, behaviours, and behavioural orientations of an individual, group, or culture.
A long duration of individual life
An organized effort undertaken by groups of individuals in a given geographic area to bring about changes in social policy or influence an outcome, often of a political issue.
A characteristic of buildings and a lifestyle designed in an independent manner without reliance on one or more public utilities.
An epidemic occurring on a scale that crosses international boundaries, usually affecting people on a worldwide scale. A disease or condition is not a pandemic merely because it is widespread or kills many people; it must also be infectious such as Covid-19.
The action of polluting especially by environmental contamination with man-made waste.
A state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living.
People who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. People who have been forcibly displaced as a result of environmental factors caused by climate change and natural disasters.
The quality that allows some people to be knocked down by the adversities of life and come back at least as strong as before.
Accountability for something within one’s power, control or management.
The planned reintroduction of a plant or animal species and especially a keystone species or apex predator (such as the gray wolf or lynx) into a habitat from which it has disappeared (as from hunting or habitat destruction) in an effort to increase biodiversity and restore the health of an ecosystem.
The culture, processes and structures that are directed towards realising potential opportunities whilst managing adverse effects.
Any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation. In general, a science involves a pursuit of knowledge covering general truths or the operations of fundamental laws.
Condition in which one human being was owned by another. A slave was considered by law as property, or chattel, and was deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.
All media (platforms) that support their users through digital channels in mutual communication and interactive exchange of information.
The English word stakeholder means "partner". It means external or internal groups of people who have an economic, financial or ideal interest in the positive course of a project or an entrepreneurial process.
In a circular supply chain, products are disassembled or reduced to their raw materials form, and remade into sellable products – thus allowing businesses to achieve the environmental benefits of recycling while recouping costs in the process.
A sustainable supply chain is one that fully integrates ethical and environmentally responsible practices into a competitive and successful model. End-to-end supply chain transparency is critical; sustainability initiatives must extend from raw materials sourcing, to last-mile logistics, and even to product returns and recycling processes.
Supply chain transparency refers to the ability and willingness of a business to openly disclose information about the provenance of goods and labor and end-to-end supply chain practices. Digital technologies - blockchain and RFID sensors - can now obtain an accurate and irrefutable record of all the products and suppliers along the entire supply chain journey.
NOW defines sustainability as wellbeing for people and our planet. It’s development and action that takes responsibility for our total impact on the community and the environment, to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The goal is to be carbon neutral/positive and support of the 17 Global Goals with accountability and transparency.
Forum for the Future defines sustainability as a dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and to improve their quality of life in ways that simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support system.
Also known as Global Goals, a collection of 17 interlinked goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". The SDGs were set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
The branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.
A violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours.
Also known as human trafficking or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts.
The movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.
To believe that someone is good and honest and will not harm you, or that something is safe and reliable. Annual survey - Edelman Trust Barometer.
A measure of quality that assesses the monetary cost of the product or service against the quality and/or benefits of that product or service, taking into account subjective factors such as fitness for purpose, along with whole-of-life costs such as installation, training, maintenance and disposal, and wastage.
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (e.g. video games), education (e.g. medical or military training) and business (e.g. virtual meetings)
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.
Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.
An inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless liquid, which is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories or organic nutrients.