Definitions
Adaptation
Action in response to, or anticipation of, climate change to reduce or avoid adverse consequences or to take advantage of beneficial changes. Adaptation is usually distinct from actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Adaptive management
A systematic process for continually improving management policies and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programs.
Biodiversity
The variety of life forms: the different plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other
microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form. It includes the ecological and evolutionary processes through which genes, species and ecosystems interact with one another and with their environment.
Biofuel(s) / bioenergy / biosources / biodiesel
Biofuel or bioenergy is any fuel that is derived from biomass—recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts, such as manure from cows. It is a renewable energy source, unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal and nuclear fuels. Biosources is shorthand for energy resource sources derived from biomass. Biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources.
Biosequestration
A biological process that removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as the
absorption of carbon dioxide by growing trees.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
An atmospheric gas composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. It is present in the
Earth’s atmosphere at a low concentration and acts as a greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e)
An internationally accepted measure that encapsulates all of the different greenhouse
gases. Each of the gases has a different ‘global warming potential’ in terms of an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (the major greenhouse gas). Methane, for example, has a global warming potential 21 times that of carbon dioxide—so one tonne is included in the accounts as 21 tonnes of CO2-e.
Carbon neutral
Net greenhouse gas emissions are zero. This can be achieved by preventing or offsetting
emissions (e.g. by supporting a tree planting scheme that will absorb carbon dioxide, or a combination of the two).
Carbon offset(s)
A carbon offset zeros out (offsets) all or part of the carbon dioxide emissions of a party,
by reducing the emissions—or increasing the carbon dioxide absorption—of another party. This reduces net greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of combating global warming. Effectively offsetting the emissions of an activity makes that activity carbon neutral.
Carbon sequestration
The term describing processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Carbon sink
A biological or other process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such
as the absorption of carbon dioxide by growing trees.
Climate change
Any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of
human activity.
Climate projection
A projection of the response of the climate system to emission or concentration scenarios
of greenhouse gases and aerosols, or radiative forcing scenarios, often based upon simulations by climate models. Climate projections are distinguished from climate predictions by the more substantial degree of uncertainty in the underlying assumptions (e.g. regarding how future technological and economic trends may affect emissions).
Cumulative effects
The combined impacts of activities and resource uses within an area and over time.
Eco efficiency
The term eco-efficiency was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication "Changing Course". It is based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution.
Ecological footprint
The ecological impact of human activities as measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to absorb the wastes generated.
Ecosystem
A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal and microorganism communities and the associated non-living environment interacting as an ecological unit.
Embodied energy
All the energy invested in bringing a material to its final product, including transportation.
Emissions trading / emissions trading scheme
Parties with emissions commitments trading their emission allowances with other parties.
Geothermal—‘hot rock’
Energy extracted from the heat of the earth. In South Australia, this primarily refers to hot
rocks many kilometres below the surface (e.g. in Cooper Basin). Geothermal also refers to hot springs and low temperature heat exchange activities but this is not the sense in which the term is used in this document.
Greenhouse effect
The process where gases in the lower atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, methane
and water vapour are warmed by radiation released by the earth’s surface after it has been warmed by solar energy. These gases then radiate heat back towards the ground—adding to the heat the ground receives from the Sun. The effect of naturally occurring greenhouse gases keeps Earth 330C warmer than it would otherwise be.
Greenhouse friendly
This term is used to define all those solutions that will remain useful in a future with climate change and limits on our ability to produce greenhouse gases. (i.e. solutions that achieve zero, low or substantially lowered greenhouse gas emissions and/or solutions that enhance our capacity to cope with the effects of climate change).
Greenhouse gas emissions
The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits infrared or heat radiation, giving rise to the greenhouse effect.
Green Power
An accredited electricity product that guarantees production from renewable energy sources.
Green Star / Green Star rating
An environmental rating system for buildings.
Hazard
A situation or condition with potential for loss or harm to the community or environment.
‘Hot rock’ geothermal resources
See ‘Geothermal’.
Integrated natural resources management
A holistic, long-term approach to natural resources management that, while retaining the
benefits and efficiencies of sectoral management and associated expertise, also brings together the considerations and expertise of all sectors.
Kyoto target
The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement about climate change signed by most nations. Parties (primarily developed nations) agreed to an average roll-back of 5.2% in anthropogenic
(from human sources) greenhouse gas emissions by 2008–12, compared with the base year of 1990. Australia’s agreed Kyoto target was an 8% reduction from 1990 level by 2008–12. However, the Australian Government has not ratified Kyoto.
Market-based instruments
Measures that are used to influence the decisions of buyers and sellers of goods and services, or the users of resources, to achieve specific policy objectives.
National Framework for Energy Efficiency
A program of the Australian Government that aims to improve the energy efficiency
of household appliances and equipment, and commercial and industrial equipment, for
example, through mandatory minimum energy performance standards and energy
efficiency labelling.
Passive solar design
Urban or building design that makes best use of the sun and local climatic conditions to create comfortable, pleasant and energy-efficient human habitats.
Performance standards
Standards which define how a building or appliance should perform under a range of uses and conditions (e.g. a standard for the energy consumption of the building or appliance).
Photovoltaic (PV)
Converting light into electricity.
Product stewardship
A principle that directs all those involved in the life cycle of a product to take responsibility for reducing the health and environmental impacts that result from the production, use and disposal of the product.
Resource efficiency
The use of smaller amounts of resources to produce the same product or service. Resource efficiency involves a concern for the use of all physical resources and materials used in the production and use cycle, not just the energy input.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Vulnerability
The susceptibility and resilience of the community and environment to hazards.
Whole-of-life costs
The total cost of a building, product or material including the initial cost and the long-term maintenance costs from conception through to demolition or disposal.
