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Glossary
The
glossary of terms is divided into four parts, please select one
from below:
A to F - Alternative
fuels to Food miles
G to L - Genetic
engineering to Life cycle assessment
M to R - Management
system to Risk Management
S to Z - Scenarios
to World Business Council
G to L
Genetic engineering
The manipulation of matter inside an organism’s
cell by scientists which would not occur through natural processes
is called genetic engineering. Typically this involves switching
off unwanted features of the cell or introducing traits from different
organisms. Genetically engineered crops are grown commercially in
16 counties, but are currently banned from the EU food supply however
this agreement is under pressure from the US. Genetic engineering
is also used in medical research into disorders with a genetic component
such as cystic fibrosis. The practical usage of genetic engineering
is less than ten years old and few of its impacts of on the environment
or humans are known or understood.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
A UNEP-funded initiative to develop a common
format for sustainability reporting and performance indicators
Greener motoring
If taking the car is unavoidable, then greener
driving cuts your car’s impacts. Sharing a car, either by giving
someone a lift, or formally through a car club, or hiring one when
it’s needed make for more efficient motoring. By sticking to the
speed limit and avoiding excessive acceleration and breaking, fuel
use and car wear and tear can be reduced. Many manufacturers offer
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and dual fuel cars which could save you
money.
Greenhouse gases
Gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and
methane, that are increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere as a result
of human activities and causing climate change.
Inclusivity
Surrounding the need for transparency, responsiveness,
compliance and assurance is the concept of inclusivity - the reflection
at all stages of an accounting (accountability) process of the aspirations
and needs of all stakeholder groups.
Investors in People
A voluntary standard based on 12 key performance
indicators and the generation of objective evidence. Organisations
who sign-up to Investors in People make a commitment to the development
and training of their staff in order to meet their own organisational
goals and objectives.
ISO
International Organisation for Standardization.
A federation of over 130 national standards bodies based in Geneva,
Switzerland.
ISO 14001
The international specification (certifiable)
standard for environmental management systems.
ISO 9001
The international specification (certifiable)
standard for quality assurance and management systems.
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Ideally quantifiable measures of the performance
of the organisation over time.
Landfill
The disposal of refuse to landfill is an
option that is less preferred today than other options like creating
less waste in the first place, reuse of materials, recycling and
composting. All of these ensure a more eco-efficient use of resources
and energy. Landfill sites are also less available than in the past,
while communities are increasingly concerned about their proximity
and their potential impacts on underground water supplies.
License to operate
This is the acceptance and trust of stakeholders
and society at large in the legitimacy of a company's operations
and business conduct which it must seek to retain in order to remain
successful in the long term.
Life cycle assessment
The compilation and evaluation of the inputs,
outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system
throughout its life cycle.
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