10 Sustainability Reporting Terms

Over the past two years, in nearly every meeting I’ve had with sustainability teams—whether in corporations, consultancies, or NGOs—there’s always one common challenge: language. Specifically, the terminology around sustainability reporting. We often spend the first 15 minutes of our discussion just aligning on definitions to ensure we’re speaking the same language.

Words like “materiality,” “scope 3 emissions,” can mean different things depending on who you ask. And if you’re new to sustainability or not directly involved in reporting, the jargon can feel overwhelming.

That’s why I’ve put together this quick guide: the💡 top 10 Sustainability Reporting terms you absolutely need to know. It’s designed to keep things simple, clear, and practical—so you can join the conversation with confidence and avoid getting lost in technical terms. Whether you’re in retail, F&B, or any other sector, understanding these basics will help you navigate sustainability discussions like a Pro.

Reach out Karbon Hero 🌱 if you want to understand more about your organization’s sector specific climate related risk and opportunity models in relation to IFRS sustainability reporting.

Sources:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/reuben-ravi_sustainability-sustainabilityreporting-karbonhero-activity-7343816525126037505-a_-k/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAtGGkQBsxwMBmX3lEJO8btihnfBCaHqTz4