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glossary

Welcome to our glossary of useful terms and expressions related to sustainability in the m&e sector.

You can search for definitions and explanations using our alphabetical links below or simply by scrolling through.

We hope you find these helpful and you will see as you navigate other pages on the site that each time a glossary term occurs there is a live link to its definition here.

Please contact the site editor Ewen Rose if there are other subjects you think we should include.

Carbon cap Back to Top
The limit set on a country, organisation or individual for carbon emission under any future carbon trading scheme.
Carbon capture Back to Top
Removal of CO2 from fossil fuels during or after combustion, usually by extracting the CO2 from the flue gases.
Carbon credit Back to Top
A credit or permit arising from a greenhouse gas emissions reduction scheme, such as emissions trading.
Carbon dioxide Back to Top
A greenhouse gases produced during the combustion of fossil fuels. The gas is also produced by the combustion of non-fossil fuels and by plants and animals as part of respiration.
Carbon emissions trading scheme Back to Top

An EU-wide scheme whereby greenhouse gas emissions are controlled by setting a cap on total emissions and using a market-based approach via trading of emissions allowances.


Carbon footprint Back to Top
A building's carbon footprint is the measure of the carbon emissions resulting from the use of that building, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
Carbon Index rating (CI) Back to Top
A measure of the carbon dioxide emissions of a dwelling. Measured on a scale of zero to 10 with higher numbers corresponding to lower the emissions.
Carbon neutral Back to Top
When applied to a building it means that the running of such a building is not responsible for any net carbon emissions. This is usually achieved through a combination of energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy but can also include offsetting the carbon emissions for example through tree planting offset schemes (see also zero carbon).
Carbon storage Back to Top
The long-term storage of carbon or CO2 in the forests, soils, ocean, or underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, coal seams, and saline aquifers. Also referred to as engineered carbon sequestration.
Carbon Tax Back to Top
A proposed tax based on the use of carbon by individuals and companies. Or see Climate Change Levy (CCL).
Carbon Trust Back to Top
An independent not for profit company set up by the Government with support from business to encourage and promote the development of low carbon technologies. Key to this aim is its support for UK businesses in reducing carbon emissions through funding, supporting technological innovation and by encouraging more efficient working practices.
CFC Back to Top
(Chlorofluorocarbon) Any of various halocarbon compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, once used widely as aerosol propellants and refrigerants. Chlorofluorocarbons are believed to cause depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer.
CheSS Back to Top
The Central Heating System Specification was produced in response to a request from the Heating Strategy Group of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes. It gives current recommendations for good practice for the energy efficiency of domestic wet central heating systems.
Climate change Back to Top
Since climates change as part of the natural cycle this phrase is usually taken to mean anthropogenic climate change, i.e. climate change caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and land use.
Climate Change Levy (CCL) Back to Top
An additional tax on businesses added to their energy bills. The revenue raised by this tax is to be redistributed back to businesses by reducing the level of National Insurance contributions, so that the measure is described as 'revenue neutral'.
Co-generation Back to Top
Another term for combined heat and power (see below) – used more commonly in some other European countries and the USA.
Code for Sustainable Buildings (CSB) Back to Top
An evolving voluntary scheme being developed by government and industry. The aim of the CSB is the active promotion of more sustainable building practices.
Code for Sustainable Homes Back to Top

A system of sustainable building standards for homes, based on voluntary compliance, but expected to form the basis of the next revision to the Building Regulations.


 

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Back to Top
The simultaneous generation of usable heat and electrical power. CHP improves energy efficiency by using the waste heat from power generation and reducing the electrical transmission losses from the grid.
Community heating Back to Top

A term that is increasingly being used to describe district heating.

 

Competent persons self-certification schemes Back to Top
Schemes to reduce the administrative burden of the Building Regulations by allowing self-certification of compliance by enterprises and individuals judged as competent.
Contract energy management Back to Top

Where an ESCO supplies energy and energy saving measures to the end user as a package. The end user pays the company for the service over a fixed period. The onus of achieving optimum efficiency is on the ESCO, though both will often agree to share financial benefits of energy savings.