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Some of the sustainability lingo or words used in day-to-day climate change communication.

• CO₂ : Even though we exhale CO₂ with each breath, it is a highly common gas that is naturally present in the air all around us. However, when fossil fuels are used at an ever-increasing rate, a lot more CO₂ is created than is desirable for the natural balance, which causes the greenhouse effect—heat being trapped in the atmosphere—and ultimately, global warming.

• CO_2e: The unit to quantify greenhouse gas emissions should be CO_2e, which stands for carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, even though several calculators for calculating emissions of greenhouse gases concentrate on CO₂. It is a catch-all phrase for a variety of gases, including CO₂ and others like methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and chlorofluorocarbons, that has a greenhouse effect (CFCs). They combine to form greenhouse gases.

• Greenhouse gas life cycle emissions: Every stage of the process, from the manufacture of raw materials through their transportation, refinement, usage, and waste disposal, involves the release of greenhouse gases. We arrive at a company’s or product’s carbon footprint after considering all the components and steps. The only way to allow for the development of comparable data is to provide a clear description of what and how you are calculating.

• Carbon Footprint: A carbon footprint is often estimated for the lifespan of a product or service, but it may also be done for a business by calculating the GHG emissions during the selected life cycle.

• Carbon Handprint: It has been developed in Finland and has been accepted in other countries too. It can be calculated by how much greenhouse gas emission can be reduced for a product or a company can achieve. Or how greenhouse gas emission savings can be achieved for the customer by using a company’s products or services. Carbon handprint helps clients in reducing their carbon footprint.

Source: Neste