The transition towards net zero can sometimes be filled with jargon. Here’s a quick guide to some terms you might hear when starting your net zero journey. 

Carbon footprint: This is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a person, a business or a community. 

Carbon neutral: This isn’t the same as net zero; it’s the state achieved when an organisation calculates its carbon emissions and compensates for them by removing an equal amount of carbon from the atmosphere, often by carbon offsetting. 

Carbon offsetting: This is when organisations offset their carbon dioxide emissions by reducing emissions elsewhere – for example, by investing in carbon reduction initiatives. 

Circular economy: A model of production and consumption which prioritises keeping resources in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and extending the life cycle of materials through recycling, reuse and repair. 

Green economy: A low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive economy 

Greenhouse gas: Greenhouse gases absorb heat and trap it in the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is perhaps the most well-known greenhouse gas, but this group also includes methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour. 

Greenwashing: When an organisation makes misleading claims about its green credentials, claiming to be more environmentally friendly than it actually is. 

Just transition: The idea that a transition to a green economy should be fair to everyone. 

Net Zero: A balance where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions put into the atmosphere is equal to, or less than, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions removed from the atmosphere. 

Renewable energy: Energy from a source which is not depleted as it is used. Examples include solar power, wind power and tidal power. 

Scope 1 emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions created directly by a business or organisation, for example via company vehicles.

Scope 2 emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions indirectly caused by a business or an organisation through the purchasing of energy. 

Scope 3 emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions which occur throughout an organisation’s value chain. For example, this includes emissions created during the manufacture of materials, and also through the use of an organisation’s end products or services.  

Ready to take the next step on your net zero journey? Take a look at the resources in our Net Zero toolkit.