Working with sustainability, climate solutions, and carbon accounting in the food and beverage industry means communicating with terms and acronyms that may be new to non-sustainability team members. Aligning on these initiatives with C-level stakeholders or across various departments requires that everyone develop an understanding of these terms.
This glossary has been developed in response to customer requests for help in clarifying these concepts for internal stakeholders. Consider this guide an essential, easy-to-use reference for your team. Bookmark it for easy access and explore the links in each section for a deeper dive into topics particularly relevant to your projects.
Abatement
Abatement measures are actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can include improving energy efficiency, adopting cleaner technologies, and enhancing carbon sequestration practices.
Automated Carbon Reporting
Automation in carbon reporting uses software and technology to streamline the data collection, calculation, and reporting of GHG emissions. This increases accuracy and efficiency, enabling more effective sustainability management.
California Climate Laws
This frequently refers to California's newest climate laws, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act and the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act, which mandate ambitious targets for reducing GHG emissions. These laws were signed in late 2023 and will serve as a benchmark for other states and countries.
Carbon Accounting
Carbon accounting involves measuring and managing a company’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This includes identifying emissions sources, calculating emissions, and implementing strategies to reduce them.
Carbon LCA
A Carbon LCA focuses specifically on the carbon aspect of a product’s impact over the course of its entire life cycle. Carbon LCAs are static and must be re-measured over time.
Climate Labeling
Climate labeling shows the carbon footprint or climate impact of products to help consumers make environmentally informed choices.
CSRD: Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
The CSRD is a European Union regulation that requires companies to report on their environmental and social impacts. It aims to standardize sustainability reporting, making it easier to compare and assess corporate sustainability efforts.
Decarbonization
Decarbonization refers to the process of reducing carbon emissions across all areas of a company’s operations. This can involve adopting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and innovating sustainable practices.
Emissions Database
An emissions database contains standardized emissions factors and other data necessary for carbon accounting and reporting. These databases help companies ensure accuracy and consistency in their emissions reporting.
Emissions Factor
An emissions factor is a coefficient that quantifies the emissions or removals of a gas per unit of activity. These factors are essential for calculating emissions in carbon accounting.
ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance
Within the ESG framework, environmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature; social criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and communities; governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.
FLAG: Forest, Land and Agriculture
FLAG Guidance is a set of guidelines established by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), allowing companies in land-intensive industries (Forest, Land, and Agriculture) to set near and long-term, science-based targets to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
FTC Green Guides
The FTC Green Guides provide guidelines to ensure that environmental marketing claims are truthful and not misleading. They cover claims about biodegradability, recyclability, and more, aiming to prevent greenwashing.
Full-Scope Reporting
Full-scope reporting includes comprehensive GHG emissions data across all scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions from owned sources), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions).
GHG: Greenhouse Gas
GHG refers to gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Major greenhouse gasses include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard
The Scope 3 Standard provides requirements and guidance for companies to measure and report their value chain emissions. This includes indirect emissions resulting from the company’s activities, such as those from purchased goods and services, transportation, and waste.
GHG Protocol Life Cycle and Reporting Standard (Product Standard)
This standard provides guidance on how to measure and report the GHG emissions associated with individual products throughout their life cycle.
Granular Emissions
Granular emissions data provides detailed information on emissions sources and quantities, allowing for more precise tracking and management of a company's carbon footprint.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing refers to misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product, giving a false impression of a company’s environmental practices.
ISO 14067: Product Carbon Footprint
ISO 14067 specifies principles, requirements, and guidelines for quantifying and reporting the carbon footprint of a product (PCF). It covers the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material acquisition to disposal.
LCA: Life Cycle Assessment
LCA is a method for assessing the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction to disposal. This is a static measurement that must be updated over time.
LCI: Life Cycle Inventory
LCI is the phase of LCA that involves data collection and calculation procedures to quantify relevant inputs and outputs of a product system. This includes materials, energy, emissions, and waste.
PCF: Product Carbon Footprint
A Product Carbon Footprint quantifies the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle. This metric is critical for companies aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability targets.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture focuses on rehabilitating and enhancing the entire ecosystem of the farm. This includes practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and improve water cycles, ultimately leading to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
SBTi: Science Based Targets Initiative
The SBTi helps companies set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. These targets aim to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, aligning corporate strategies with the Paris Agreement.
SOC II Type II
SOC II Type II is a compliance standard for managing customer data based on five "trust service principles": security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This is critical for ensuring data protection and building trust with stakeholders.
Supplier Engagement
Engaging vendors/suppliers in sustainability efforts is crucial for comprehensive food value chain reporting. This involves working with suppliers to collect data, reduce emissions, improve environmental practices, and ensure transparency in sustainability reporting.
Sustainability Marketing Claims
Sustainability marketing claims highlight the environmental or social benefits of products. Companies must substantiate these claims with concrete evidence to maintain credibility and consumer trust.
This glossary is just one example of the resources HowGood provides to support your sustainability initiatives. Explore more insights and solutions by visiting our Resources Page.