Adaptation
The process of adapting to climate change and environmental changes.
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Sustainability Glossary
This section contains an alphabetically arranged glossary of sustainability-related concepts intended to improve public sustainability literacy.
The original glossary text is preserved in translation. Repeated entries and some heading–definition pairings await editorial review.
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A
Fair Trade
A trading model that encourages sustainable production and trade by paying fair wages to producers in developing countries.
Agroecology
An approach that combines traditional knowledge and modern science to support sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Afforestation
Efforts to plant new trees or increase forested areas.
B
Biodiversity
Genetic differences among living organisms and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience and sustainability.
Biodynamic Farming
A sustainable approach to agriculture that incorporates natural cycles and organic cultivation methods.
Biofuel
An energy source obtained from biological resources, such as fuels derived from plants or microorganisms.
Biosphere
The region of the Earth where life exists, encompassing parts of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
C-Ç
Environmental Impact Assessment
A process used to assess the environmental effects of a project, plan or policy.
Environmental Justice
The principle of applying environmental decisions and policies fairly across all communities and sharing environmental burdens equitably.
D
Desalination
The process of converting salt water into fresh water.
Circular Economy
An economic model that aims to reduce waste and use natural resources efficiently. Recycling and reusing materials are central to this concept.
Digital Sustainibility
Efforts to reduce the environmental and social impacts of information and communication technologies (ICT).
K
Urban Heat Island
A significant public health issue that reduces quality of life for people and other living organisms, particularly in hot climates.
Circular Economy
An economic model that aims to reduce waste and use natural resources efficiently. Recycling and reusing materials are central to this concept.
Digital Sustainibility
Efforts to reduce the environmental and social impacts of information and communication technologies (ICT).
L
Licensed Production
A system that ensures production complies with particular standards and regulations. In sustainability, environmentally friendly and ethical production licences are prominent.
LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
An international certification system whose name means leadership in energy and environmental design, confirming that buildings have environmentally friendly, sustainable features.
Localization
An approach that encourages local production and consumption to support local resources and economies.
M
MSC
A certification and labelling system established to support the sustainability of seafood and encourage sustainable fishing.
Microplastics
Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. Their adverse effects on the environment and human health pose a threat to sustainability.
Material Efficiency
An approach to producing the same quantity of goods using fewer natural resources or reducing waste.
Methane Gas
One of the greenhouse gases, whose control is particularly important in agriculture and waste management.
Blue Economy
An economic approach that promotes the sustainable use of marine and water resources.
Microfarming
Small-scale agricultural practices, usually in urban areas, that use resources efficiently.
Microenergy Production
Renewable energy generated locally by individuals or small communities, such as solar panels or wind turbines installed at homes.
Monoculture Farming
A farming method involving a single crop, criticised from a sustainability perspective. It reduces biodiversity and adversely affects soil fertility.
Modular Design
Designing products with parts that can be repaired and upgraded easily to extend their lifespan.
Spatial Ecology
A discipline examining the environmental effects of urbanisation and land use, with a critical role in sustainable urban planning.
Macroecology
A scientific field that examines human impacts and sustainability through large-scale analyses of ecosystems.
N
Net Zero Emissions
Balancing greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere through carbon sequestration and other offsetting methods.
Negative Emission Technologies
Technologies that remove greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, for example carbon capture and storage.
No-Till Farming
A farming method that avoids tilling the soil, prevents erosion and protects soil health.
O
Organic Farming
An environmentally friendly farming method that does not use synthetic chemicals.
Ocean Acidification
The absorption of carbon dioxide lowers ocean pH, threatening marine life.
Sinkhole Formation
Geological events caused by the depletion of groundwater resources; an important warning for sustainable water management.
Oxygen Cycle
The natural balance between oxygen production and consumption, vital to ecosystem sustainability.
P
Permaculture
An approach to designing sustainable agricultural and living systems inspired by natural ecosystems.
Plastic Footprint
A measure of an individual’s or organisation’s plastic consumption and its environmental impact.
Passive House
Building design that minimises energy consumption through high insulation and energy efficiency.Building design that minimises energy consumption through high insulation and energy efficiency.
Positive Environmental Impact
The beneficial effect of human activities on the environment, such as afforestation projects.
Sharing Economy
An economic model that encourages sustainable consumption through shared use of resources, such as car-sharing schemes.
Polyculture Farming
Growing different plant species together in the same area; it increases biodiversity and supports sustainability.
R
Permaculture
A method of generating electricity from the kinetic energy of wind, a renewable energy source.
Regenerative Agriculture
A sustainable farming method that aims to improve soil, retain carbon and increase biodiversity.
Radiation Effects
Research into the effects of nuclear energy or solar radiation from an environmental sustainability perspective.
Guided Consumption
Encouraging informed consumption by providing consumers with information about sustainable products and services.
Rational Resource Use
An approach to using natural resources efficiently, in balance and sustainably.
S-Ş
Sustainable Development
A development model that aims to leave future generations a more liveable world by balancing environmental, economic and social considerations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The release into the atmosphere of gases that cause climate change. Reducing these emissions is a fundamental goal of sustainability.
Social Sustainability
An approach to sustainability that aims to ensure long-term societal wellbeing and social justice.
Water Footprint
A concept measuring the total amount of water consumed by individuals or organisations.
Zero Waste
Preventing waste entirely through the reuse or recycling of all resources.
Water Withdrawal
Water withdrawal, or water abstraction, is fresh water taken permanently or temporarily from groundwater or surface-water resources and conveyed to its place of use.
T
Consumer Awareness
The process of raising consumer awareness of environmentally friendly and sustainable products.
Soil Conservation
Practices intended to prevent soil erosion and protect soil quality.
Sustainable Transportation
Approaches that encourage low-carbon, environmentally friendly transport systems.
Consumption Cycle
An approach that aims to reduce environmental impacts by optimising the relationship between production, consumption and waste management.
U-Ü
Adaptive Management
A management approach that can flexibly change strategies in response to changing environmental conditions and feedback.
Carbon Reduction in Transportation
Encouraging environmentally friendly transport methods such as electric vehicles, public transport and cycling.
Productive Landscapes
Assessing the environmental effects of a product throughout the process from production to disposal.
Producer Responsibility
The principle that producers are responsible for the environmental impacts of their products throughout their life cycle.
Y
Green Economy
A system that promotes economic growth through sustainable use of natural resources.
Renewable Energy
The use of inexhaustible energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.
Slow Fashion
An approach that promotes longer-lasting, high-quality and environmentally friendly clothing as an alternative to fast fashion.
Green Technology
Environmentally conscious technologies and innovations, such as carbon-capture systems and biotechnology.
Z
Hazardous Waste Management
The process of appropriately disposing of and recycling waste that harms the environment.
Zero Waste Movement
A global movement that supports the circular economy and aims to eliminate waste entirely.