Glossary of terms

Farming practices that mimic natural ecosystems to improve soil health, biodiversity, and overall farm productivity. These methods often involve crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Source: The Soil Association

An air source heat pump (sometimes referred to as an air-to-water heat pump) transfers heat from the outside air to water. This, in turn, heats rooms in your home via radiators or underfloor heating. It can also heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers, and baths.

There are also ground and water source heat pumps that draw heat from these sources. 

Source: Energy Saving Trust

The variety of life on Earth, including all plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. It also includes the genetic variation within species and the variety of ecosystems.

Source: Natural History Museum, UK

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before the development took place. It requires developers to create or enhance habitats to offset any losses caused by their projects. This helps to protect and restore ecosystems and ensures that development contributes positively to nature.

(Source: GOV.UK)

Carbon avoidance, reduction, and capture schemes are strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the waste and recycling sector.

• Carbon avoidance refers to preventing the creation of waste in the first place, through practices like reducing consumption and opting for reusable products.
• Carbon reduction involves minimising emissions from waste management processes, such as improving energy efficiency in recycling facilities and diverting waste from landfills.
• Carbon capture captures and stores carbon dioxide emissions from waste incineration or other waste treatment processes.

Carbon emissions are the release of carbon compounds into the earth’s atmosphere such as the most common being carbon dioxide. When we talk about carbon emissions, we are referring to a greenhouse gas emission; one of the main contributors to climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions are often calculated as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), so they are often referred to as ‘carbon emissions’ when discussing global warming or the greenhouse effect. 

Since the industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels has increased, which directly correlates to the increase of carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere and thus the rapid increase of global warming and climate change.

Source: ecolife.com

This is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can be achieved through natural processes like tree planting or technological solutions like carbon capture and storage.

Source: Committee on Climate Change (CCC)

A circular economy is an economic model that aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them while in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.  It is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. 

Source: letsrecycle.com 

A natural function of the earth’s atmosphere is to keep in some of the heat that is provided by the sun.  This is known as the greenhouse effect and is vital to life on earth.  

Heat from the sun passes through the atmosphere to heat the earth’s surface.  The earth’s surface then gives off heat, a portion of which is then trapped inside the atmosphere by greenhouse gases (e.g. methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide). This process of heat absorption and retention maintains the earth’s temperature at liveable levels. The ability of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide to absorb heat was first understood in 1859. 

There are some natural factors that increase global warming such as volcanic activity and fluctuations in the amount of radiation from the sun.   Humans have also increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere dramatically in the following ways.

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so deforestation means there are less trees and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Waste that is dumped at landfill decomposes and produces methane.

Some agricultural practices release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Whilst the global climate has been changing since time began, since around 1950 there has been a major increase in the average global temperature – described as global warming. The degree to which the climate heats up in the future will be affected by the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and some regions such as the Arctic will warm faster than others.  

 Source: The Met Office

These are processes that involve burning a fuel to release energy. Combustion processes are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Conservation skills is a very broad term that describes any activities dedicated to conserving biodiversity, wildlife, or habitats.  

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council 

The process of reducing carbon emissions. This can be achieved through various methods, such as switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and using carbon capture and storage technologies. 

Source: Committee on Climate Change, UK

A network of interconnected power stations and transmission lines that delivers electricity to consumers.

Source: Ofgem, UK

Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to provide the same amount of output from a service, such as lighting, heating or cooling.  

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council 

A system that stores energy for later use. This can be in various forms, such as batteries, compressed air, or pumped hydro storage. They are used to balance supply and demand on the electricity grid.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK

A government scheme in the UK that pays farmers and land managers to improve the environment on their land. This can include measures such as creating wildlife habitats, planting trees, and reducing soil erosion.

Source: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels which can all be burned to release energy.  Fossil fuels are non-renewable and burning them creates carbon dioxide, which is a cause of global warming.  

Source: BBC

This is a set of standards that will apply to new homes built in England from 2025. The standards aim to make new homes more energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.

Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Green economy growth signifies economic growth that is environmentally sustainable. It involves creating jobs and businesses that protect the environment, reduce carbon emissions, and improve resource efficiency.

Source: gov.uk

Heat networks distribute heat or cooling from a central source or sources, and deliver it to a variety of different customers such as public buildings, shops, offices, hospitals, universities and homes

Source: gov.uk

A system where hydrogen is used as a fuel. Hydrogen can be used for a variety of applications including powering industrial processes. 

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK

Industrial decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities. This involves transitioning from fossil fuel-based processes to low-carbon or zero-carbon alternatives.

Source: gov.uk

A Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) is a strategic plan designed to help local authorities achieve net zero carbon emissions. It involves a collaborative approach with stakeholders to identify local energy challenges and opportunities, develop tailored solutions, and implement actions to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. LAEPs consider various energy sources, including renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency measures, to create a sustainable and resilient local energy system. 

Source: Energy Systems Catapult

A document produced by local authorities that sets out policies for the use of land in their area. It covers issues such as housing, employment, transport, and the environment.

Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, UK

Local social value refers to the positive impact that a project, organisation, or business has on a specific local community. It involves creating benefits for the community, such as job creation, skills development, environmental improvements, and social inclusion.

The manufacture, distribution, sale and disposal of consumer products shapes their carbon emissions and contributes to the buyer’s carbon footprint. Low carbon product producers need to consider the environmental impact at every stage of a product’s lifecycle, from raw materials and manufacture to transport, retail, use and end of life.  

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council 

Small-scale electricity systems that can operate independently of the main electricity grid. They often use a mix of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and can be used to power homes, businesses, and communities. 

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK

This refers to the ability to travel using multiple modes of transport, such as walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport, and driving. Good multi-modal connectivity can reduce reliance on cars and improve air quality.

Source: Department for Transport 

A natural system that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases. Forests, oceans, and soil are examples of natural carbon sinks.

Actions that use natural processes to address environmental challenges. For example, planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide or creating green spaces in towns and cities to reduce urban heat islands.

Nature conservation refers to the protection, care, management and maintenance of ecosystems, habitats, wildlife species and populations, within or outside of their natural environments, to safeguard the natural conditions for their long-term permanence.

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature 

Gardens designed to allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff and improving soil moisture. Permeable paving, gravel paths, and rain gardens are common features of permeable gardens.

Source: The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

This includes physical (such as streets, buildings, and the built environment) and digital (such as internet connectivity, data) factors and features. These types of infrastructure can combine to create new ways of working that can drive forward economic growth and progress. 

Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council

These initiatives aim to promote the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, and to develop battery storage technologies. These technologies can help to store excess renewable energy for later use, improving the reliability of the electricity grid.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) 

Emissions which remain after they have been reduced as far as possible.

Retrofitting involves upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. This can include measures like installing insulation, replacing old boilers with low or zero carbon heating systems, and fitting solar panels.

Source: Energy Saving Trust 

Retrofit refers to any improvement work on an existing building to improve its energy efficiency, making it easier to heat, able to retain that heat for longer, and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. Retrofitted homes are better protected against energy price increases as they can generate their own energy and are improved so they require less energy too.

Source: Centre for Sustainable Energy

Woodlands that grow along the banks of rivers and streams. They play a vital role in protecting water quality, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife.

Source: The Woodland Trust 

Social value commitments are actions taken by organisations to create positive social and environmental impacts beyond their core business activities. In the context of climate emergency actions, these commitments often focus on:

• Community engagement: Involving local communities in decision-making processes, education campaigns, and volunteer opportunities.
• Job creation and skills development: Creating employment opportunities and providing training to enhance skills, particularly in green jobs and sustainable industries.
• Economic growth: Stimulating local economies through sustainable procurement practices, supporting local businesses, and investing in green infrastructure.
• Social inclusion: Promoting social inclusion by offering employment opportunities to marginalized groups and supporting community development initiatives.
• Environmental sustainability: Reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable practices.

Source: Local Government Association 

These schemes involve upgrading existing streets to make them more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This can include measures like installing energy-efficient street lighting, planting trees, and creating cycle lanes.

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable development requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental concerns along with economic development.  

Source: United Nations

A payment scheme within ELM that rewards farmers for adopting sustainable farming practices, such as improving soil health, protecting wildlife, and reducing pollution.

Source: Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Systems designed to manage stormwater runoff in urban areas, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality. SUDS often involve natural features like ponds, wetlands, and rain gardens.

Source: The Environment Agency 

These are energy tariffs that allow consumers to track the source of their electricity. This transparency enables consumers to choose suppliers who generate electricity from specific renewable sources, such as wind or solar power.

Source: Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator.

Wildlife-friendly gardening is about making a haven for the gardener, as well as for wildlife. By gardening sympathetically for wildlife, gardeners are rewarded with a truly natural outdoor space, where they can get in touch with the plants, animals and birds that make their home there.

Source: Wildlife Trusts