GLOSSARY

Carbon refers to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change [1].

Carbon Accounting is the process of measuring, tracking, and reporting carbon emissions to manage and reduce them effectively [2].

Carbon Footprint refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activities, usually measured in equivalent tons of CO₂ (CO₂e). [3]

“Carbon Neutral” means having a net-zero carbon footprint.”

This involves using various methods to decrease carbon emissions or balancing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere with an equal amount of carbon offsets [4]

“Carbon Offset” refers to the practice of compensating for CO₂ emissions by investing in projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases, such as reforestation or renewable energy projects [5]

The Circular Economy is an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and promote the continual use of resources by designing products that can be repurposed, reused, repaired, or recycled [6]

Climate Change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events [7]

These changes are primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases, like methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂), trap excessive heat from the sun and keep the Earth warm. This is important because, without this natural process, Earth would be too cold to live on. But too many greenhouse gases can disrupt the Earth's energy balance and cause the Earth to warm up too much, which leads to climate change

Cradle to Cradle is a scope or system boundary in a product life cycle that extends the assessment to include not only the product's life cycle but also its potential for reuse, recycling, or composting at the end of life, aiming for a closed-loop system [8]

Cradle to Gate is a scope or system boundary in a product life cycle that includes the assessment from the extraction of raw materials (cradle) to the point where the product leaves the factory gate (gate) [8]

Cradle to Grave is a scope or system boundary in a product life cycle that covers the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction (cradle) through production, use, and end-of-life disposal (grave) [8]

Decarbonization refers to the process of reducing and eventually eliminating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, particularly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy [9]. 

The primary goal of decarbonization is to mitigate climate change by reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Emissions occur when various sources release substances such as liquids, gases, or particulates into the atmosphere [10]. 

In the context of this platform, it refers to the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Fitwel is the pioneering real estate platform driving health insights into buildings, ESG performance, and bottom-line value [11].

A green building, in its design, construction, or operation, minimizes its environmental impact on our climate and natural environment and promote sustainability throughout its lifecycle [12] 

Green buildings help conserve natural resources and enhance our quality of life. They are an effective way to contribute to various global goals, such as tackling climate change, developing sustainable communities, and promoting economic growth.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat, keeping the planet warmer than it would be otherwise [13]

A healthy building is one that is designed, constructed, and maintained to promote the health, well-being, and productivity of its occupants [14]

Healthy buildings are often assessed using frameworks such as the WELL Building Standard, LEED, and Fitwel, which offer guidelines and certification for creating and maintaining environments that support health and wellness. 

An Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a collaborative approach to construction projects that integrates people, systems, business structures, and practices into a process that harnesses the talents and insights of all participants. 

This method aims to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction leading to improved project outcomes and enhanced stakeholder satisfaction.

A landfill is a site where waste materials are buried. It is the most common method of waste disposal globally. 

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a science-based methodology/technique for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle. This includes everything from raw material extraction, production, and transportation to usage and disposal.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world's most widely used green building rating system. It provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings that offer environmental, social, and governance benefits

Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide (CO₂), especially over short to medium timescales.

Its chemical formula is CH₄, meaning it consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Methane is a key component of natural gas, which is used as a fuel for heating, electricity generation, and in industrial processes.

Greenhouse gases, like methane and carbon dioxide (CO₂), trap heat from the sun and keep the Earth warm. This is important because, without this natural process, Earth would be too cold to live on. But too many greenhouse gases can cause the Earth to warm up too much, which leads to climate change.

Net Zero happens when the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere is achieved [4]

A Net zero building produces as much renewable energy on-site as it consumes over the course of a given year, resulting in a net zero energy balance. For organizations and countries, this involves using extensive strategies to incorporate sustainability across all operations and sectors

Particulate Matter (PM) refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that can be harmful to human health and the environment. 

Regeneration involves restoring ecosystems to their original state or enhancing their resilience and functionality. 

Regeneration describes the renewal, restoration, and growth process in living organisms. It is often observed after physical damage, injury, or loss. Regeneration aims to replace or repair, restore normal function, and support healing. In its broader sense, regeneration is not merely about renewal or revival. It is a potent concept that holds the promise of growth and improvement. It is a beacon of optimism, suggesting a process of rejuvenation and progress, even in the face of challenges after a period of decline or stagnation.

Scope 1 Emissions are direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organization. These emissions stem from activities under the company's direct control [2].

Scope 2 Emissions are indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that come from the use of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling. These emissions happen at the facilities where the energy is produced, not at the organization's site. Even though they don't occur at the organization's site, they still make up a significant part of the organization's carbon footprint because they are a result of the energy the organization consumes [2].

Scope 3 Emissions encompass all indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions not included in Scope 1 and 2. These emissions happen in the reporting company's value chain and are the result of activities from assets that are not owned or controlled by the reporting organization but are essential to its operations [2].

Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable finance involves incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment decisions to promote long-term sustainable development while minimizing negative environmental and societal impacts.

Sustainable finance includes various practices such as green bonds, impact investing, ESG integration in investment analysis, and shareholder engagement on sustainability issues.

WELL is a "performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind."

The WELL Building Standard is a "healthy building certification program developed by the International WELL Building Institute PCB (IWBI); it takes a holistic approach to health in the built environment, addressing behaviour, operations, and design. It is an evidence-based roadmap for applying the WELL Building Standard to support the health and well-being of people and organizations."

Zero Waste is a design principle that aims to eliminate waste by ensuring that all materials are repurposed, reused, recycled, or composted rather than sent to landfills or incinerators. 

The goal is to create a circular economy where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them before recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their service life.