A-Z of ESG terms

Accountability

The act of being responsible for what an organisation does and being able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or the degree to which this happens.

Different types/levels of accountability are likely to be owed to a different group of interested parties depending on the entity involved. For example, a charity is likely to owe a higher degree of accountability to regulators, funders and those the charity seeks to serve. A listed company is likely to owe a higher degree of accountability to institutional investors, staff and suppliers.

Sports organisations might be accountable to a range of different stakeholders. These could include: participants and athletes, funders, fans and customers, national governing bodies, international federations, integrity bodies, regulators and others, depending on the areas of activity.

Adverse weather events

Adverse weather events, extreme weather or extreme climate events can include unexpected, unusual, severe, or unseasonal weather such as tornados, hurricanes or cyclones, blizzards, dust storms, floods, drought, hail and ice storms. Such events are generally seen as unusual and may adversely impact the way the public and business undertake their activities.

There is evidence to suggest that the frequency and intensity of some extreme or adverse weather events is increasing, globally and across the UK.

These can negatively affect an organisation’s business activity due to cancelled matches or events, the loss or degradation of the environment in which a particular sport may operate, as well as impact the comfort, safety, capability or motivation of athletes/participants, officials and spectators.

Here's more from the Met Office on extreme weather. 

Affordable and renewable energy

Renewable energy solutions are becoming cheaper, more reliable and more efficient (for instance, see article on Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources is Now Cheaper than Ever). Reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and harmful to the planet. Renewable energy sources include: solar energy from the sun; geothermal energy from the heat inside the earth’s core; wind energy; biomass from plants; hydropower from flowing water; tidal power; and hydrogen (see article on What Are the 7 Types of Renewable Energy?).

Affordable and renewable energy is the seventh goal of the UN SDGs (Affordable and clean energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all).

Air Quality Index: AQI

AQI is a way of measuring air pollution. It combines the impact on air quality by differentiating between the impact of ozone, nitrogen dioxide and small particulate matter (such as soot) in the air.

AQI is not a standardised formula with different countries calculating air quality differently.

See ‘Pollution’ for more about air pollution.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the term given to describe the wide variety of all life on Earth. A biodiverse environment is seen as a positive aspect of the health of a given area, and a decline in biodiversity can be seen as a warning sign of environmental danger.

The fifteenth goal in the UN SDGs deals with the need to preserve biodiversity (Life on land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss).

Biofuel

A source of renewable energy that is derived from plants and animals, such as wood pellets and waste by-products.

Biomass power

Bioenergy is renewable energy derived from an organic matter that comes from recently living plants and organisms. According to Smarter Business, Biomass can be used to create energy in several different ways, but the most common is combustion. This means burning agricultural waste or woody materials to heat water and produce steam.

Carbon budget

The total amount of carbon that can be released into the atmosphere before breaching agreed limits.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

An approach to capturing carbon dioxide emissions close to their source and locking them into a permanent environment that limits their risk of further polluting the air. 

Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS)

Adds to the above by identifying a way to reuse carbon dioxide in more environmentally friendly ways, such as creating ‘green’ cement.

Carbon dioxide/CO2

The Center for Scientific Education defines Carbon dioxide as a colourless and non-flammable gas at normal temperature and pressure. Although much less abundant than nitrogen and oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, carbon dioxide is an important constituent of the air. A molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) is made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

Carbon footprint

An annual inventory of an organisation's greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon leakage

The action or transferring activities that create CO2 to a country with less robust rules regarding carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon neutral

Achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out. This is different from ‘net zero’.

Carbon offsetting

Activity to compensate or balance out CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, such as the planting of trees or seagrass.

Carbon price

An artificial price that can be applied by either a tax or permit to carbon dioxide generating industries to incentivise businesses to reduce CO2 production and emissions. 

Carbon sequestration

The process of storing CO2 either naturally (in plants etc.) or through man-made carbon capture activities.

Charitable purposes

For an organisation to be recognised as a charity in the UK, it must generally have exclusively charitable purposes and provide public benefit. The definition of charitable purposes is different across the different jurisdictions of the UK. See:

• Charitable purposes England and Wales
• Charitable purposes Isle of Man
  
• Charitable purposes Jersey
• Charitable purposes Guernsey
• Charitable purposes Northern Ireland
• Charitable purposes Scotland

Charity trustee duties

Under charity law in England and Wales and in other jurisdictions of the UK, there are specific duties charity trustees must fulfil, as defined in charity and case law and regulations.

In England and Wales, the duties of charity trustees can be found in the Charity Commission’s CC3 - The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3).

Guidance for charity trustees in Scotland can be found here.

Northern Ireland charity trustee guidance is here. 

Circular economy

A model of production and consumption which involves prolonging the use of materials and products for as long as possible. A circular economy can help to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution through the better re-use and recycling of products and components of production.

Climate

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. A region's weather patterns, usually tracked for at least 30 years, are considered its climate. Climate can be different for discrete parts of the Earth.

Climate action

According to the United Nations Development Programme, climate action ‘means stepped-up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-induced impacts, including: climate-related hazards in all countries; integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity with respect to climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.’

It is the thirteenth goal of the UN SDGs (Climate action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

Climate change

The impact on the climatology and weather systems impacts local environments and the planet more widely. Climate change is often linked to the effects of global warming, though the impact of that change will differ according to a variety of factors. It is generally agreed that climate change is a real phenomenon exacerbated by human activity.

Climate Change Act 2008

UK legislation that detailed a number of actions and commitments, including:

• setting a target for the year 2050 for the reduction of targeted greenhouse gas emissions;
• providing for a system of carbon budgeting;
• establishing a Committee on Climate Change;
• conferring powers to establish trading schemes for the purpose of limiting greenhouse gas emissions or encouraging activities that reduce such emissions or remove greenhouse gas from the atmosphere;
• making provisions about adaptation to climate change;
• conferring powers to make schemes for financial incentives to produce less domestic waste and to recycle more of what is produced;
• provisions about the collection of household waste;
• powers to make provision about charging for single-use carrier bags; and
• miscellaneous provisions about climate change and for connected purposes.

Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB)

An international consortium of business and environmental NGOs committed to advancing and aligning the global mainstream corporate reporting model to equate natural capital with financial capital. Has developed a framework for reporting environmental information to a similar degree as financial information for the benefit of investors.

For more on disclosure arrangements, see S for Standards.

Climate justice

According to Climate Just UK, climate justice refers to concerns about inequitable outcomes for different people and places associated with vulnerability to climate impacts and the fairness of policy and practice responses to address climate change and its consequences.

Climate litigation

Action taken by individuals, campaigns or groups against a government or company to reduce harmful activities, change government policy or improve disclosure. For example, Client Earth’s or the Friends of the Earth action against Shell in the Netherlands.

Climate resilience

The ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events or disturbances (e.g. floods, extreme weather). Includes adaptation to climate change, resilience to adverse climate events, and community climate preparedness.

Climate scenario analysis

A recommendation in the TCFD for organisations to stress-test/scenario plan their resilience to a range of climate change situations.

Commonwealth Blue Charter

The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 54 Commonwealth countries to actively co-operate to: solve ocean-related problems; and meet commitments for sustainable ocean development.

Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) 2018 Regulations

Regulations that introduced changes to the reporting requirements in the large and medium-sized companies and groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and in the Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit) (Application of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2008 (the LLP Regulations).

The amendments introduced new requirements on quoted companies to make statements in the directors’ report concerning the company’s energy use from its activities and action taken to increase its energy efficiency. Large unquoted companies also included to make statements in the directors’ report concerning the company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use and action taken to increase energy efficiency within the UK.

However, these statements are not required where making the statement would be seriously prejudicial to the interests of the company or if the company has used a small amount of energy in the financial year to which the directors’ report relates.

The Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2021

These Regulations came into force on 6 April 2022 and require traded and certain other companies to provide climate-related financial disclosures in their strategic report. There are some detailed requirements but, in general, a company having more than 500 employees or which has a turnover of more than £500 million is likely to fall within scope.

COP26 Declaration of Asset Owner Climate Expectations

A declaration founded by Friends Provident Foundation, Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS), the Charities Responsible Investment Network (CRIN) and the Responsible Investment Network Universities (RINU) to set out minimum standards of expectations regarding tackling climate change in the asset management industry. It offers eight minimum standards to be applied by organisations when considering asset manager appointment, reviews and re-appointments.

COP27

The 27^th conference of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC – See U for more details) will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 7-18 November 2022. The event was moved back a year due to the travel restrictions and social distancing measures introduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corruption

Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in a position of power. Forms of corruption vary but can include bribery, lobbying, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, influence peddling, graft, and embezzlement.

Corporate social responsibility: CSR

Refers to practices and policies undertaken by corporations intended to have a positive influence on the world. It is a means by which entities can be held to account for their social commitments.

Culture

The ideas, customs, values and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Organisational culture is the collection of values, expectations, and practices that guide and inform the actions of all those who work for or represent an organisation. It is possible for large entities to have more than one culture. 

The Chartered Governance Institute has developed a range of resources for different organisations to identify a healthy organisational culture:

• Academy Trusts
• Boardrooms
• Charities
• Sports bodies

Data

Leading Edge Group define data as being individual facts, statistics, or items of information, often numeric. In a more technical sense, data are a set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables about one or more persons or objects, while a datum (singular of data) is a single value of a single variable.

Directors' duties

The Companies Act 2006 codified the legal duties of directors into the following:

• s171 - Act within their powers
• s172 - Act in a way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole
• s173 - Exercise independent judgement
• s174 - Exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence
• s175 - Avoid any situations in which they have, or could have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or could conflict, with the interests of the company
• s176 - Not to accept a benefit from a third party which is given because of the position held by the director or because of anything the director has done in his/her capacity as a director
• s177 - Declare interests in transactions or arrangements

Disclosure

In the financial world, Investopedia describes disclosure as the timely release of all information about a company that may influence an investor's decision. It reveals both positive and negative news, data, and operational details that impact its business. 

For charities, there are a number of disclosure requirements arising from registering with the regulator and for those charities subject to the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) which covers both financial and non-financial information.

Diversity

The Oxford Dictionary effectively captures the meaning of diversity as 'The practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.' At a minimum, diversity refers to the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010, but in its broadest sense, it can include social experiences, lived experience, personality traits and problem-solving approaches, different perspectives and neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term to describe all the ways in which human brain function and behaviour traits vary from person to person - the entire human race is neurodiverse.

Neurodivergence is a term to describe brain function and behaviour traits that are apart from 'the norm' - assuming 'the norm' exists. (Source: Neurodiverse Sport)

Divestment

An active decision to sell shares in an organisation or industry where a sector or entity fails to meet the required standards expected of the investor – via financial or ESG performance criteria.

Economic growth

Economic growth is seen as an increase in the amount of goods and services produced per head of the population over a period of time. It can be measured as an increase of people's real income: the ratio between people's income and the prices of what they can buy is increasing. For example, goods and services become more affordable, and people become less poor. 

It is the eighth goal of the UN SDGs (Decent work and economic growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all).

Education

The action or process of educating or of being educated or the knowledge and development resulting from the process of being educated. Primarily a field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools.

It is key to the fourth goal of the UN SDGs (Quality education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all).

Emissions

The emissions generated by different entities can come from a range of sources, both direct and indirect. These are referred to as Scope 1 to Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 1 emissions: released as a direct result of an activity at operational level. For example, the leaching of pollutants into waterways after being used for agricultural purposes. 

Scope 2 emissions: released as an indirect consumption of an energy commodity. For example, using electricity generated by burning fossil fuels.

Scope 3 emissions: indirect emissions not covered in Scope 2 and usually beyond the control or ownership of the organisation. For example, emissions created by third parties in the organisation’s supply line.

Emissions Reduction Plan

Part of the UK Government’s commitment to carbon net-zero. The Government’s approach to avoiding the risk of dangerous climate change is founded on the Climate Change Act 2008, which requires Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by: cutting emissions by at least 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 – below the 1990 baseline; setting and meeting five-yearly carbon budgets for the UK during that period; and requiring that those carbon budgets be set three budget periods ahead – so that it is always clear what the UK’s emissions will be for the next 15 years – and setting the trajectory towards the 2020 and 2050 targets.

Emissions targets

Goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within specific time frames (such as carbon net zero by 2050). Generally ‘science based’ to provide a clear path for meeting requirements to keep global warming to within 1.5 to 2˚c of pre-industrial temperatures.

Engagement

The action of reaching out and responding to key organisations (e.g. funders, regulators) and individuals (e.g. clients, consumers, donors) to understand their concerns about a range of factors within the entity’s control.

Shareholder engagement: the process and act of an entity’s management deliberately working with its owners to improve its performance or activities. This can involve regular meetings between key investors and management to discuss issues, attending AGMs and voting on (for or against) resolutions.

Stakeholder engagement: the process and act of an organisation’s leadership reaching out, talking with, listening to and responding to the concerns of its key stakeholders. For sports bodies, this may be a key function to understand the needs of the communities it seeks to serve and those who help the organisation to deliver its activities and services.

Environment Act 2021

The UK Government introduced legislation to include provisions about targets, plans and policies for improving the natural environment; statements and reports about environmental protection; to create the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP); about waste and resource efficiency; air quality; for the recall of products that fail to meet environmental standards; water quality; nature and biodiversity; for conservation covenants; and the regulation of chemicals.

Environmental

Environmental is defined as being someone or something relating to the environment or concerns about the impact humans are having on nature.

Environmental sustainability

The ability to maintain an ecological balance in the planet's natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the wellbeing of current and future generations.

Equality and Equity

The Equality and Human Rights Commission defines equality as about ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents. It is also the belief that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were born, where they come from, what they believe, or whether they have a disability. For more information on equality rights, see the Equality Act 2010.

Equity can be seen as the quality of being fair and impartial, but recognising that each person has different circumstances and needs and so may require different opportunities, resources or adjustments in order to thrive.

Within the EDI arena, there can be beneficial discussions to be gained by differentiating between promoting ‘equity’ and ‘equality’.

A blog on Inclusive Sport Design website offers the following distinction:

• Equality provides everyone with the same resources and supports to overcome a barrier or reach a threshold. It’s only fair if everyone starts from the same point.
• Equity provides individuals with the resources and supports they need to overcome barriers or reach a threshold. It caters for individual need. This is only fair when there are enough resources to go around.

ESG: Environmental, social, governance

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards to measure or benchmark an organisation’s behaviour in the way it undertakes its business. Initially used by socially conscious investors to screen potential investments, the concept has evolved to incorporate a range of ethical, sustainable and leadership qualities that can be applied to all types of organisations.

Environmental criteria consider how an organisation safeguards the environment, including, for example, policies addressing environmental impact, climate change and recycling.

Social criteria examine how an entity manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, clients and the communities where it operates.

Governance deals with the way an organisation is led, the oversight by the board and the way it relates to other stakeholders on a range of issues such as strategy, executive pay, audits, internal controls, shareholder/member rights, boardroom behaviours, compliance and accountability. 

ESG issues can include:

• Board diversity
• Climate change – energy, biodiversity, CO2 emissions
• Data security
• Ethics
• Employment practices – EDI, wellbeing, living wage
• Executive pay
• Health and safety
• Resource use, scarcity and recycling
• Safe and high-quality services
• Supply chain – slavery, oil, gas
• Talent management
• Transparency

Ethics

Organisational ethics includes various guidelines and principles that decide how individuals should behave in the workplace. It also refers to the code of conduct of the individuals working in a particular organisation. The ethics policy of an organisation is usually agreed upon by the board and cascaded down. However, some organisations' ethics will be set out in their governing document, such as cooperative bodies and some public benefit entities.

Sports bodies are also subject to ethics and integrity requirements in terms of sporting performance. These may cover doping, financial investment, the manipulation of sporting outcomes, etc.

Read more.

Fossil fuels

The remains of plants of animals that over millennia have turned into sources of energy, such as coal, petrol and natural gas. In burning these fuels, greenhouse gases are emitted.

Gender equality

Attempts by business, governments and society to promote more equal opportunities for women and girls to participate and contribute to economic, educational, social and cultural activities, amongst others. 

Initiatives in the UK aimed at improving gender equality and representation include shared parental leave and pay; gender pay gap reporting; and the Hampton Alexander Review.

Sport in the UK has made significant progress in a more balanced representation of both genders on boards and in the leadership of its funded organisations.

Gender equality is the fifth goal of the UN SDGs (Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).

Global citizenship

Global citizenship is the umbrella term for social, political, environmental, and economic actions of -minded individuals and communities worldwide. The term can refer to the belief that individuals are members of multiple, diverse, local and non-local networks.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

It is an independent, international organisation that helps businesses and other organisations take responsibility for their impacts by providing a global common language and standard to disclose such issues. Aimed at a broad range of stakeholders.

Global warming

Refers to the environment (land, air and water) heating up, particularly over the last century.

Governance

A term used for the way that organisations are run. There are various definitions, including:

Governance determines who has power, who makes decisions, how other players make their voices heard and how account is rendered (Cadbury Commission Report, 1992).

And 

Corporate governance is the system by which companies are directed and controlled. Boards of directors are responsible for the governance of their companies.

This latter definition has been built upon since then, and the current UK Corporate Governance Code continues thus:

Companies do not exist in isolation. Successful and sustainable businesses and other organisations underpin our economy and society by providing employment, creating prosperity and connecting communities. To succeed in the long-term, directors and the companies they lead need to build and maintain successful relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. These relationships will be successful and enduring if they are based on respect, trust and mutual benefit. Accordingly, a company's culture should promote integrity and openness, value diversity and be responsive to the views its stakeholders.

In other words, governance describes how countries, societies and organisations work: it is supported by a range of factors which differ in robustness and complexity, such as ways of working, handbooks, codes of practice, regulatory guidance or, ultimately, legislation.

Green bonds

A type of financial instrument designed to support investments in environmentally friendly activities or those which tackle climate change.

Similar bonds exist for other social purpose, social justice, environmental and conservation activities.

Green products

Products and services that claim to be more environmentally friendly and/or sustainable.

Greenhouse gas (GHG)

Greenhouse gases have been identified as the main contributors to global warming. They include carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide.

To help an organisation identify its GHG footprint, the following steps may be useful:

• Acknowledge the current relevant data the organisation captures.
• Identify any gaps in the data required and how to fill in those gas.
• Plot, as far as practicable, GHG emissions from scope 1 to scope 3 sources.
• Apply the appropriate science-based calculations using the most appropriate formula for the organisation.
• The board should discuss and agree on what is material to the aims of the organisation and focus its attention on those areas.
• Agree on realistic but also stretching targets for the organisation and cascade accordingly.
• Centralise responsibility for the initiative and dovetail it with other reporting arrangements (from the frontline to the boardroom and vice versa).
• Monitor progress and take remedial action where necessary.
• Celebrate success and share all experiences broadly.

Greenhouse gas emissions

The measurement of greenhouse gas emissions is becoming a key reporting requirement for some industries and businesses in the UK.

This is a trend that may transfer to the broader economy as the 2050 deadline approaches.

Greening Finance: A Roadmap to Sustainable Investing

A plan launched by the UK government in the run-up to COP 26 to meet its ‘long-term ambition to green the financial system and align it with the UK’s world-leading net zero commitment’. The long-term aim involves three phases: informing; acting; and shifting. The report covers the first of those three activities.

Greenwashing

The application of a ‘green’ or ethical veneer to portray a more socially acceptable product or activity when that is not the reality. See CGIUKI's greenwashing report.

Geothermal power

Geothermal power is garnered from the heat that is trapped beneath the earth’s crust. By capturing the steam that comes from the heated water pumping below the surface, power can be stored. Although it is not a common form of renewable energy, it has significant potential for energy supply because it can be stored underground, leaves a minimal footprint on the land and is naturally replenished.

Health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing can be described as the achievement and maintenance of physical fitness and mental stability. Initiatives in the UK to improve the health and wellbeing of the population include: Change4Life; Thriving at Work; and the ONS wellbeing data and toolkit

Health and wellbeing are at the heart of the third goal in the SDGs (Good health and wellbeing: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages).

Hydroelectric power

Created when water flows through a dam’s turbines to produce electricity, known as pumped-storage hydropower.

Hydrogen

Energy from hydrogen can be used for both fuel and electricity. However, it needs to be combined with other elements as it does not occur naturally as a gas on its own. It is a clean-burning fuel which means less pollution and a cleaner environment. It is also beneficial when used for fuel cells and can be used to power an electric motor.

There are different types of hydrogen energy:

• Blue hydrogen is produced by natural gas and carbon emissions being captured, stored or reused.
• Brown hydrogen refers to its creation by the burning of coal in its production.
• Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy to electrolyse water; separating hydrogen atoms from oxygen molecules.
• Grey hydrogen is derived from natural gas via steam methane reformation without carbon capture.
• Pink or purple hydrogen is created via the use of nuclear power to create electrolysis.
• Turquoise hydrogen is create via methane pyrolysis, producing solid carbon and hydrogen.

Impact investing

The proactive decision to invest in an organisation or sector that not only avoids doing any harm to the planet or people but is engaged in actively trying to resolve an environmental or social issue.

Inclusion

A key aspect of the equality/equity, diversity and inclusion movement to improve representation in boardrooms and throughout all types of organisation. The practise or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised.

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

A term used to describe efforts to develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human wellbeing, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

It is the ninth goal of the UN SDGs (Industry, innovation and infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation).

Inequality

Inequality can refer to the fact that resources can be distributed in an unequal and/or unjust manner among members of a given society. The term can encompass distinct yet overlapping economic, social, and spatial dimensions. Examples of UK initiatives to reduce inequalities in society include Disability Confident and Access to Work programmes.

Reducing inequality is the tenth goal of the UN SDGs (Reduced inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries).

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: IPCC

A scientific body established in 1988 by the UN Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organisation to provide scientific insight into the issues of global warming and climate change.

International Financial Reporting Standards: IFRS

The IFRS Foundation is a not-for-profit, public interest organisation established to develop a single set of high-quality, understandable, enforceable and globally accepted accounting and sustainability disclosure standards: IFRS Standards. 

The standards are developed by two boards: the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the newly created International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The IASB sets IFRS Accounting Standards, and the ISSB sets IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.

IFRS Accounting Standards set out how a company prepares its financial statements. IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards set out how a company discloses information about sustainability-related factors that may help or hinder a company in creating value. 

International Integrated Reporting Council: IIRC

International Integrated Reporting Council launched the Integrated Reporting Framework in 2010, aimed at providing investors with an insight into an organisation’s risks, performance, strategy and outlook.

International Integrated Reporting Framework

A global framework supporting the content and approach of integrated reports for commercial entities. 

Investments

Brown: Brown investments are traditionally seen as ‘dirty’ investment opportunities or ‘sin stocks’. However, evolving approaches to ESG have promoted brown investments as one way of actively engaging with companies to instil a more environmentally friendly or sustainable approach to doing business.

Green: Green investments tend to be seen as those opportunities to invest in activities that are more environmentally friendly, socially just, or sustainable. Investors do not need to persuade organisations and industries of the need to ‘go green’ as that decision has already been made.

Mission related investments: are when investment decisions are directly linked to a charity’s charitable purposes (or other aims if a social purpose entity). A financial return is still anticipated, but it is not the sole purpose of the investment.

Responsible: Responsible investments for charities have been the centre of a recent court case (Butler-Sloss & others v Charity Commission and Attorney General) to clarify the rights of duties of trustees with regard to investing charity assets. The court judgment confirmed that charity trustees have a discretion to exclude investments that they reasonably believe to conflict with the charitable purposes.

Key points for charities thinking about responsible investments include:

• Think about the charity’s purposes and how the investment under consideration may impact on the aim. Would the investment be in tune with furthering the charitable aims, or would the reputational risk outweigh any projected financial gains?
• Review the governing document to make sure there is nothing in it that would prevent the charity from investing or investing responsibly.
• Consider if the charity’s investment policy needs to be refreshed to mirror the changes it wishes to make to its investment approach.
• Stay alert to the Charity Commission’s revised CC14 (coming in due course), and reflect any changes in the charity’s investment practices.
• Regularly review investment performance to ensure they are delivering what is intended.

Just transition

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy in a way that is fair to everyone, and where the benefits are widely shared.

Justice

Social justice can refer to the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. Initiatives in the UK aimed at improving social justice include: the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and the Government’s anti-corruption strategy.

Social justice is the sixteenth goal in the UN SDGs (Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels). 

Legitimacy

Often regarded as the right and acceptance of an authority, usually a governing law, regime or organisation. An entity viewed as legitimate often has the right and justification to exercise power or act in a particular way on behalf of a defined group.

Living wage

A UK wage rate that is voluntarily paid by over 10,000 UK businesses who believe their staff deserve a wage which is more than the National Minimum Wage (see below). It is estimated that over 300,000 employees have received a pay rise as a result of the Living Wage campaign. Promoted by the Living Wage Foundation.

Materiality

Materiality is an accounting concept that defines why and how certain issues are important for an organisation, most commonly used in the commercial sector. It can, however, provide useful guidelines for decision-making in all types of organisation.

A material issue is one which can be regarded as having a major impact on the financial, economic, reputational, and legal aspects of an organisation. It will be impacted by the interests of internal and external stakeholders of an organisation.

The use of a materiality test agreed by an organisation is a key aspect of ESG as it helps to identify those risks that are likely to impact the success of the organisation and will be of interest to a range of stakeholders. Any organisation, regardless of the sector in which it operates, looking at reporting on its ESG should have an agreed approach to what it considers to be ‘material’ to its specific stakeholder groups.

The definition of materiality the organisation wants to use should be a board decision, and the board should monitor its use and impact as it would any other board decision.

Methane

Natural and man-made gas that contributes to global warming. Natural gas is constituted to a large degree with methane.

Metrics

Any organisation wishing to report on its ESG will need to record and report on a number of relevant metrics. The board should discuss and decide which metrics it seeks to gather, analyse and report on. Those metrics should be kept under review and revised as and when required.

Metrics will vary across sectors, industries and organisations. Any organisation should review what data it already collects and what could be used to inform the board’s ESG discussions and decisions. Some metrics will be shaped by government policy and regulation (e.g. scope 1 and 2 emissions). Others are likely to be informed by the organisation’s agreed definition of ‘materiality’.

Metrics will help the organisation to tell the story of its progress against its agreed ESG targets. Metrics can include: emissions data; gender pay gap differences; executive pay ratios; supply line ethical practices and staff wellbeing data.

Mitigation

Ways to prevent global warming and climate change from getting worse.

Modern slavery

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 provides the following definitions:

• ‘slavery’ is where ownership is exercised over a person
• ‘servitude’ involves the obligation to provide services imposed by coercion
• ‘forced or compulsory labour’ involves work or service extracted from any person under menace of a penalty and which a person has not offered voluntarily
• ‘human trafficking’ concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires companies of a certain size to report on the anti-slavery activities it undertakes. A commercial organisation is required to publish an annual statement if all the following criteria apply: it is a ‘body corporate’ or a partnership, wherever incorporated or formed; it carries on a business, or part of a business, in the UK; it supplies goods or services; and it has an annual turnover of £36 million or more. Organisations are responsible for determining whether the legislation applies to them. See how you can identify if your organisation needs to publish a modern slavery statement and best practice guidance on producing a statement.

Many organisations, especially those with a social purpose, voluntarily make a statement on their approach to tackling modern slavery.

For more information, see What is modern slavery? 

Money laundering

Investopedia describes money laundering as the illegal process of making large amounts of money generated by criminal activity, such as drug trafficking or terrorist funding, appear to have come from a legitimate source. The process of ‘laundering’ the proceeds makes the funds look more respectable by way of filtering illegal finds through a legitimate activity.

According to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, a person can commit a money laundering offence if they: conceal, disguise, convert or transfer criminal property, or remove criminal property from England and Wales, or from Scotland or from Northern Ireland (section 327). Most financial companies have anti-money-laundering policies in place to detect and prevent this activity.

National minimum wage

The national minimum wage is the minimum pay per hour to which almost all workers are entitled. There may be variations by age and geographic location. The government publishes current national minimum and living wage rates on their website.

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs)

Nationally determined contributions are the plans of each nation to tackle climate change, including government policies, targets and actions.

Net zero

Net zero is defined by the United Nations (UN) as ‘cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere by oceans and forest …’ The term is often used to mean the removal or off-setting of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including methane and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), to a level as close to zero as possible. Where net zero is either not possible or practical, measures for compensating against the effects of GHG emissions can be included in net zero efforts. 

According to the UN, more than 140 countries have set a net-zero target, covering about 88% of global emissions. More than 9,000 companies, over 1000 cities, more than 1,000 educational institutions, and over 600 financial institutions have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030.

In developing a net zero strategy for your organisation, the following points may be helpful:

• embed net-zero activities into the organisation’s operational plan and strategy
• be clear about which factors – both internal and external – are likely to impact the organisation’s ability to deliver its net zero activities
• outline the assumptions and catalysts on which those activities are based. Monitor them regularly and revise plans accordingly
• be transparent about the types of emissions the plan includes, for example, scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions (see ‘emissions’)
• be transparent and timely in your reporting. Be honest about what has gone well and what has not been so successful. Ensure all disclosures cover the same time frame

Ocean acidification

Ocean acidification is the process of carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering the pH balance. This in turn can threaten marine organisms, including corals.

The fourteenth goal in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) deals with this issue: ‘Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.’

Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

The OEP is a new public body established to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. The Environment Act 2021 provides the OEP with the following powers:

• scrutinising environmental improvement plans and targets
• scrutinising environmental law
• advising government on environmental law
• and enforcing against failures to comply with environmental law

Paris Climate Agreement

The Paris Climate Agreement is an international agreement, adopted in 2015 at COP21. Signatories have committed to keeping global warming levels to within a range of between 1.5–2˚C above pre-industrial levels in an attempt to rein in global warming and its effects.

Partnership

The seventeenth goal in the United Nations Sustainable Delivery Goals (SDGs): ‘Partnerships for the goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.’ 

Pollution

There are several different types of pollution:

• Air: Air pollution is distinct from carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Air pollution can be caused by a range of industrial processes, energy production, transportation choices and environmental phenomena.
• Noise: Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise, is the propagation of noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life, most of them harmful to a degree. Machines, transport and propagation systems are the main sources of outdoor noise worldwide. The impact of noise pollution on oceanic animals such as whales and dolphins may contributing to their reduction in numbers.
• Soil: Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals – pollutants or contaminants – in soil, in high enough concentrations to pose a risk to human health or the ecosystem.
• Water: Water pollution is the release of substances into bodies of water, making those wated sources unsafe for human use and disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution can be caused by a plethora of different contaminants, including toxic waste, petroleum and disease-causing microorganisms.

Poverty

Poverty can be defined as having few material possessions or little income. Its impact can be diverse and its causes can also be varied. Poverty is usually classified as absolute or relative. Absolute poverty compares income against the amount needed to meet basic personal needs, such as food, clothing and shelter. Relative poverty is more subjective and can vary from place to place. It measures when a person cannot meet a minimum level of living standards, compared to others at the same time and in the same place.

The first goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goas aims to end poverty: ‘#1 No poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.’

Public benefit

In England and Wales, public benefit is part of what it means to be a charity – charities must have only charitable purposes which must be for the public benefit. According to the Scottish Charities Register, in general, public benefit is the way that a charity makes a positive difference to the public. Not everything that is of benefit to the public will be charitable.

Similar requirements apply to charities in Scotland and Northern Ireland, although the rules and interpretations in each jurisdiction are slightly different.

Public benefit guidance relating to the different countries can be found online:

• England and Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

Quotas

In various countries, efforts to improve the diversity of boards have included a focus on set quotas for gender and ethnicity representation. Quotas detailed in regulations or legislation were more popular in continental Europe, with the UK preferring the use of voluntary targets and aims to improve the diversity of boards.

The benefits of each approach are much debated.

R

Reduce, reuse, recycle

The phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ is often applied to activities that aim to be more environmentally friendly, greener or ecologically sound and sustainable.

Regenerative

A regenerative approach goes beyond 'sustainability' to having a net positive impact on the environment and society; approaches that are truly beneficial for humans and restorative for nature.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy sources include: solar energy from the sun; geothermal energy from heat inside the Earth’s core; wind energy; biomass from plants; hydropower from flowing water; tidal power; and hydrogen.

Reporting standards

International action has been taken to help commercial entities report on wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in supporting the achievement of climate-change related and other sustainable development goals. Initiatives have been created to guide such entities in establishing, monitoring and reporting on climate change activities including:

• The Task Force on Climate Disclosure (TCFD)  (see T for more)
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards (see G for more) 
• The World Economic Forum’s metrics (see W for more)
• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) (see S for more)
• Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB)
• The UN Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (see S for more)

Standards more climate-change related risks include TCFD and CDSB. Those with a broader sustainability approach include GRI, CDP and SASB. While the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and CDSB promote a more integrated approach to the reporting of financial and non-financial information.

Different standards can also be focused on specific industries. There has been a focus on the development of standards for commercial entities, rather than social purpose entities and charities. This can make it hard to compare relevant disclosures within and across different sectors.

The International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS) launched the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in 2021 to develop global sustainability and disclosure requirements. It aims to build upon and harmonise the standards developed by TCFD, CDSB, IRF, SASB and World Economic Forum (WEF).

The social housing sector has established its own reporting standards. The Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing (SRS) was launched in November 2020 and includes 48 criteria across environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations such as zero carbon targets, affordability, safety and resident voice.

Responsible consumption

Responsible or sustainable consumption and production is about doing more and better with less. It is also about decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Sustainable consumption and production can also contribute substantially to poverty alleviation and the transition towards low-carbon and green economies. 

It is the twelfth goal in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: ‘Responsible consumption and production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.’

Risk

There are many definitions of risk which may be specific to a particular set of circumstances. A risk usually refers to an uncertain event or set of events that, should they transpire, will impact on the achievement of objectives. Risk is generally measured by combining the probability of the risk occurring and the impact of that occurrence on the stated objectives of the entity or project.

• Climate-change related risk: created by a range of climate-related phenomenon, such as changes in temperature, changes in precipitation leading to droughts or agricultural losses, tropical storms and floods.
• Existential risks: any risk that has the potential to eliminate all of humanity or, at the very least, kill large swathes of the global population, leaving the survivors without sufficient means to rebuild society to current standards of living.
• Financial risk: the possibility of losing money on an investment or business venture. Common financial risks include credit risk, liquidity risk and operational risk.
• Operational risk: relates to uncertainties an organisation faces in the course of conducting its daily activities. It can relate to operational or business models, procedures and systems, along with the risks inherent with the introduction of human beings to the process or operational activities.
• Reputational risk: deals with the possibility of a negative circumstance adversely impacting an entity’s brand, reputation and image. It can ultimately impact on an organisation’s bottom line, ability to deliver its aims or purposes, put off funders, investors, stakeholders, donors or customers and deter people from wanting to work with it.

Safeguarding

According to NHS England, safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality healthcare. Safeguarding children, young people and adults is a collective responsibility.

Sport England defines safeguarding in sport as ‘the process of protecting children and adults from harm by providing a safe space in which to play sport and be active.’

Find out more

Sanctions

An official order, such as the stopping of trade, which is made against a country in order to make it obey international law.

Sanitation

The promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by the maintenance of sanitary conditions, such as the removal of sewage and rubbish in an organised and manged manner.

Sin stocks

Sectors and industries which are most commonly excluded from investment decisions because of their impact on people or planet. For example, armaments, tobacco, gambling and alcohol, sometimes can include the extractive industries. 

Smart meters

Smart meters measure how much gas and electricity is being used at a given time, as well as what it is costing. The information is presented on a digital instrument placed within the home.

Solar power

A renewable energy source captured from sunlight and converted into heat, electricity or hot water. Fundamental to the capture and storage of solar power are solar cells, such as those panels seen on the roof of a building. A major benefit of using solar energy is that sunlight is seen as infinite – at least in the likely duration of man’s existence.

Sport Environment and Climate Coalition (SECC)

A collaboration between organisations in the sport, recreation, and physical activity sector to lead and coordinate the sector’s efforts on climate change and environmental sustainability. Members include: the Sports Councils, British Association for Sustainable Sport, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Active Partnerships, UK Active.

The group harnesses the sector’s collective resources to help reduce the environmental impact of sport, recreation and physical activity and contribute to the UK’s transition to net zero.

Resources can be found here.

Sports for Climate Action

The UN Sports for Climate Action Initiative aims to provide sports organisations with a forum where they can pursue climate action in a consistent and mutually supportive fashion by learning from each other, disseminating good practices, lessons learned, developing new tools, and collaborating on areas of mutual interest.

Sports for Climate Action works towards two overarching goals:

• Achieving a clear trajectory for the global sports community to combat climate change, through commitments and partnerships according to verified standards, including measuring, reducing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the well below 2 degree scenario enshrined in the Paris Agreement
• Using sports as a unifying tool to federate and create solidarity among global citizens for climate action.

The participants in the Sports for Climate Action Initiative commit to adhere to the following five principles:

• Principle 1: Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
• Principle 2: Reduce overall climate impact
• Principle 3: Educate for climate action
• Principle 4: Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
• Principle 5: Advocate for climate action through communication.

Sports organisations are invited to sign up to the Sports for Climate Action principles, regardless of their current stage in their environmental endeavours and work collaboratively to identify and spotlight climate solutions. There is a requirement to demonstrate ongoing progress, over time, after commitment to these principles is established.

Find out more

Sportswashing

Sportswashing is the practice of an individual, group, entity or government using sport to improve their tarnished reputation, promote a positive public image or mitigate negative opinion through hosting a sporting event, the purchase or sponsorship of sporting teams or by participation in the sport itself.

Stakeholders

A stakeholder is an interested third party in an entity that may or may not be directly or be affected by the organisation’s activities. The primary stakeholders a sports organisation will be the participants, members, volunteers/workforce, suppliers, supporters and customers. Other key stakeholders could include funders, donors, partners, and other investors and regulators. In some public sector organisations, the ultimate stakeholder may be the government as the primary funder and arbiter of quality services. 

Stakeholder mapping

The process of making a note of all the stakeholders an entity may have, logging their primary interests and concerns and potentially prioritising those interests in terms of the entity’s stated aims and objectives.

Supply chain

An organisation’s supply chain is:

• the network of individuals, companies and other suppliers, facilities and technology involved in creating a product or service and delivering it to the customer or end user
• the journey that goods, their components or raw materials, components or services take in order to be delivered to the customer or end user

Sustainable communities

Sustainable communities can be described as places where the needs of everyone in the community are met and people feel safe, healthy and ultimately happy.

Sustainable communities is the eleventh goal in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: ‘Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.’

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Part of the United Nations’ development programme to tackle a range of social and environmental injustices. There are 17 goals covering poverty, education, climate change and conservation.

Some charitable and social purpose entities have signed up to the SDGs as part of their wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda. The Institute produced an ESG: A maturity matrix for charities based on the SDGs.

Sustainable products

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposes, within a discussion paper, several definitions and criteria as to what is a sustainable product. This included applying the definitions to three types of product: sustainable impact; sustainable aligned; and sustainable transitioning.

Sustainable supply chains

Sustainable supply chains refer to an organisation’s efforts to consider the environmental and human impact of their products’ and services’ journey through the supply chain, from raw materials sourcing to production, storage, delivery and every transportation link in between.

Sustainability

In the broadest sense, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. Sustainability activities aim to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term. 

TCFD: Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

Global initiative launched in 2017 after the Paris climate change negotiations, aimed at developing a standardised approach to disclosing climate-change related risks. The main audiences for the disclosures are investors, lenders and insurers. 

The UK government has made TCFD reporting mandatory for many companies (see The Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2021 above).

The TCFD expects organisations to:

• Disclose governance arrangements around climate-related risks and opportunities
• Describe the board’s oversight of those risks
• Describe what management’s role is in assessing and managing climate-related risks.

Tidal power

Derived from the mechanical actions of the ebbs and flows of tides to generate energy. Unlike other forms of renewable energy, wave energy is predictable, making it easy to estimate the amount of energy that will be produced. It is also abundant, and its potential is astounding. It is still an untapped energy resource.

Tipping point

The point at which climate change and global warming will reach irreversible levels.

Transition

The green transition refers to the period of time between now, when our way of life is unsustainable in the long term, and the time when our activity will not endanger the health of the planet.

United Nations (UN)

The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme works in around 170 countries and territories, to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. UNDP helps countries to develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress.

The UNDP is responsible for the Sustainable Development Goals. (see SDG for more).

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The United Nations Environment Programme is the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

One of many international agreements aimed at reducing the impact of human activity on the climate. It plays an integral role in the COP meetings.

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)

An independent organisation, supported by the United Nations (UN) to promote responsible investment. There are six principles designed to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions:

• Principle 1: We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
• Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
• Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
• Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
• Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
• Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

Values

Organisational values are the guiding principles that provide an entity with purpose and direction. They help organisations manage their interactions with both customers and employees. Values are usually set by the board in line with the entity’s vision, culture and ethos. For charities and social purpose entities, the values of the organisation will be closely aligned to the charitable or other social purpose defined in the articles or governing document. 

Value Reporting Foundation

The Value Reporting Foundation is a global non-profit organisation that offers resources designed to help businesses and investors develop a shared understanding of enterprise value.

Waste Prevention Programme

The programme sets out the roles and actions for government and others to reduce the amount of waste produced in England. Other government initiatives in this area include the Waste Framework Directive and the WRAP initiatives.

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

WRAP is a climate action non-governmental organisation working around the globe to tackle the causes of the climate crisis and give the planet a sustainable future.

Water (and sanitation)

Clean water and wastewater disposal are central to the sixth goal in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: ‘Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.’

Wellbeing

Under the Care Act 2014, wellbeing is a broad concept and is described as relating to the following areas in particular: personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect), physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing and protection from abuse and neglect.

Wind energy

Wind energy is captured using turbines that convert wind flow into electricity. Technically, wind energy is a form of solar energy and it is a clean energy source. It does not produce carbon dioxide nor does it release any harmful products that may result in environmental degradation or negatively affect human health.

World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum is an international organisation promoting public and private co-operation.

At the 2020 Annual Meeting in Davos, 120 of the world’s largest companies supported efforts to develop a core set of common metrics and disclosures on non-financial factors for their investors and other stakeholders. They developed a set of ‘stakeholder capitalism metrics’ and disclosures for companies to align their mainstream reporting on performance against environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators and track their contributions towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Zero carbon

When no carbon emissions are produced. Similar to net zero, but focused on carbon rather than the full greenhouse gas range.

Zero hunger

An initiative to end hunger and make sure that enough nutritious foods are available to people by 2030. Other aspects of the goal include ending all forms of malnutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

This is the second goal of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: ‘Zero hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.’