99% of sustainability professionals have come across these terms
99% of sustainability professionals have come across these terms… but many still mix them up❗🤷♂️
The biggest challenge in sustainability isn’t always collecting data.
It’s understanding the language.
Whether you’re working in ESG, carbon accounting, LCA, sustainability reporting, or climate strategy, these 14 terms form the foundation of informed decision-making.
Here’s a quick guide:
• ESG – Evaluates environmental, social, and governance performance.
• GHG – Greenhouse gases like CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O that drive climate change.
• GRI – Global framework for sustainability reporting.
• SASB – Industry-specific sustainability disclosure standards.
• TCFD – Framework for reporting climate-related financial risks and opportunities.
• CSRD – EU regulation requiring enhanced corporate sustainability reporting.
• ISO – International standards supporting environmental management and sustainability practices.
• CDP – Global disclosure platform for carbon, water, and forest-related data.
• Net Zero – Reducing emissions as much as possible while balancing remaining emissions through credible removals.
• SDGs – The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• LCA – Life Cycle Assessment that measures environmental impacts from raw material extraction to end-of-life.
• PCF – Product Carbon Footprint across a product’s life cycle.
• EPD – Environmental Product Declaration based on verified LCA results.
• Scope 1, 2 & 3 – Direct, indirect energy, and value chain emissions.
The more familiar you become with these concepts, the easier it is to:
✓ Understand sustainability reports.
✓ Participate confidently in ESG discussions.
✓ Build accurate carbon footprint assessments.
✓ Support better business and environmental decisions.
Sustainability is evolving quickly, but mastering the fundamentals gives you a lasting advantage.
Which of these terms do you use most often in your work? Are there any others you think every sustainability professional should know?
