Digtial Sustainability Glossary

    Understanding key concepts and terminology.

    B

    Biodevs

    A Biodev is a developer specialising in eco-friendly web development practices. With expertise in sustainability, a Biodev focuses on optimising websites for energy efficiency, minimising carbon footprints, and implementing environmentally conscious strategies throughout the development process. This includes taking actionable steps such as improving website performance, reducing resource-heavy elements, and choosing greener hosting options. A Biodev helps businesses achieve their environmental goals while also enhancing website functionality and user experience.

    Bioscore

    A Bioscore rates your website's environmental impact, similar to how a credit score assesses creditworthiness. With a free webpage checker, you can get an eco-friendliness score for individual pages, while a comprehensive Green Audit evaluates the entire site. The score ranges from 0 to 1000 and falls into five bands: Poor (below 400), Needs Improving (below 580), Fair (below 720), Almost There (below 840), and Looking Good (840 and above).

    C

    Carbon Emissions

    Carbon emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, mainly from burning fossil fuels, industrial activities, and deforestation. These emissions are a primary driver of climate change, as they trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and ecological disruptions.

    Carbon Footprint

    A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual, organisation, event, or product. It encompasses emissions from activities like energy consumption, transportation, and waste disposal, providing insight into environmental impact and helping to identify reduction opportunities.

    Carbon Intensity

    Carbon intensity measures the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of output, such as per kilowatt-hour of energy or per unit of GDP. Reducing carbon intensity means producing more with less emissions, often by switching to cleaner energy sources or improving energy efficiency. This metric is used to track and compare the environmental impact of various industries, processes, or countries.

    Carbon Offsetting

    Carbon offsetting involves compensating for one’s emissions by funding projects that remove or prevent an equivalent amount of CO₂ elsewhere. Typical offsetting projects include reforestation, renewable energy development, and carbon capture. Offsetting is a way for individuals and organisations to balance emissions they cannot fully eliminate, although it is considered a supplement rather than a substitute for direct emission reductions.

    Carbon Reduction

    Carbon reduction involves actions to lower the amount of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Key strategies include adopting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and using carbon capture technologies. Carbon reduction is critical to mitigating climate change and achieving sustainability goals.

    D

    Data Transfer

    Data transfer is the process of moving data from one place to another, such as between devices or across the internet. Every transfer consumes energy, especially when large amounts of data are involved, contributing to digital emissions. As data transfer demands grow, optimising data transfer efficiency and using energy-efficient infrastructure are important for reducing the environmental impact of digital technology.

    Digital Emissions

    Digital emissions are the greenhouse gases generated by digital activities, including the use of data centres, electronic devices, and online activities like streaming and data storage. As digital services expand, digital emissions have become a growing environmental concern, highlighting the need for energy-efficient infrastructure and renewable power.

    Digital Sustainability

    Digital sustainability focuses on minimising the environmental impact of digital technology by using energy-efficient practices, optimising data management, and designing eco-friendly devices. It also includes promoting equitable access to technology and supporting ethical data practices to align digital growth with broader sustainability goals.

    E

    ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

    ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, a framework for assessing a company’s ethical impact and sustainability practices. It evaluates how companies manage environmental factors (like carbon footprint and resource use), social factors (such as employee welfare and community impact), and governance (including transparency and board diversity). ESG criteria are increasingly important for investors looking to make responsible investment choices that support sustainability.

    G

    Green Meter

    The Bioscore Green Meter, is a script (a single line of code) that is added to a website to track real-time, real-user data. The script collects real-time data on energy use, carbon emissions, and other sustainability metrics, providing individuals or organisations with live insights into their environmental footprint. This allows them to monitor and reduce their impact, fostering more sustainable practices in real-time.

    N

    Net Zero

    Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. To reach net zero, organisations must reduce emissions and offset any remaining emissions through activities like carbon capture, reforestation, or investing in renewable energy. This goal is critical to limiting global warming and is a key target for many countries and companies aiming to mitigate climate change.

    R

    Real-Time Data

    Real-time data refers to data that is collected, processed, and available for use almost instantly after it is generated. In sustainability, real-time data is crucial for monitoring environmental impact, tracking energy consumption, managing emissions, and making immediate adjustments. It enables companies to make informed, agile decisions that can reduce inefficiencies and support sustainability targets.

    Renewable Energy

    Renewable energy is power derived from natural, replenishing sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy does not produce direct carbon emissions, making it a cornerstone of efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The transition to renewable energy is essential for achieving global climate goals, as it reduces reliance on finite and polluting fossil fuels.

    S

    Scope 3 Emissions

    Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions in a company’s value chain, beyond direct operations (Scope 1) and purchased energy (Scope 2). These emissions stem from activities like purchased goods and services, transportation, waste disposal, and product usage. Scope 3 often represents the majority of a company's total carbon footprint and is the most challenging to track and reduce, requiring collaboration across the entire supply chain.

    Sustainability

    Sustainability is the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the resources or health of future generations. It aims to balance environmental, economic, and social factors to preserve ecosystems, reduce waste, and promote long-term viability across industries and communities.