ESG Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the sustainability, climate, and impact terms you will see across ESG job listings.
- APACAsia Pacific
- AsanaProject Management Tool
- AseanAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations
- AssuranceIndependent verification of sustainability data
- BiodiversityVariety of Life on Earth
- Carbon FootprintTotal GHG Emissions Caused by an Individual/Organization
- Carbon NeutralNet Zero Carbon Dioxide Emissions
- CBAMCarbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU regulation)
- CDPCarbon Disclosure Project
- CFAChartered Financial Analyst certification
- Circular EconomyEconomic System Aimed at Eliminating Waste
- CSRCorporate Social Responsibility
- CSRDEU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
- EHSEnvironment, Health, and Safety
- EMEAEurope, Middle East, and Africa
- ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance
- ESG IntegrationIncorporating ESG Factors into Investment Decisions
- ESG RatingsEvaluations of a Company's ESG Performance
- EU Green DEALEU Plan Sustainable Economy
- EU TaxonomyEU Classification System for Sustainable Activities
- EUDREU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation
- GfanzGlobal Financial Alliance for Net Zero
- GHG ProtocolGreenhouse Gas Protocol
- GIINGlobal Impact Investing Network
- Green BondsFixed-Income Instruments for Climate and Environmental Projects
- GreenwashingFalse or Misleading Claims about Environmental Benefits
- GRIGlobal Reporting Initiative
- HazpowerHazardous Power
- Human Rights DUE DiligenceProcess to Identify and Address Human Rights Impacts
- IFRSInternational Financial Reporting Standards
- Impact InvestingInvestments Made with Intent for Social/Environmental Impact
- ISO 14000Environmental Management Standards
- ISO 14064Standard for GHG Emissions Accounting
- ISO 26000Guidance on Social Responsibility
- ISO 27000Information Security Management Standards
- ISSBInternational Sustainability Standards Board
- LCALife Cycle Assessment
- LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- Materiality AssessmentProcess to Identify Key Sustainability Issues
- Natural CapitalWorld's Stock of Natural Resources
- NET ZEROCutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature
- NFRDNon-Financial Reporting Directive (EU)
- NZBANet-Zero Banking Alliance
- Paris AgreementInternational Treaty on Climate Change
- PowerbiBusiness Intelligence Tool by Microsoft
- PRIPrinciples for Responsible Investment
- Renewable EnergyEnergy from Naturally Replenishing Sources
- SASBSustainability Accounting Standards Board
- SBTIScience Based Targets Initiative
- Science-based TargetsGHG Reduction Targets Aligned with Climate Science
- Scope 1 EmissionsDirect GHG Emissions from Owned/Controlled Sources
- Scope 2 EmissionsIndirect GHG Emissions from Purchased Energy
- Scope 3 EmissionsAll Indirect GHG Emissions in Value Chain
- SDGSustainable Development Goals
- SDGSSustainable Development Goals
- SFDRSustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (EU)
- Social BondsUse-of-Proceeds Bonds for Social Projects
- SROISocial Return on Investment
- Stakeholder EngagementProcess of involving people, groups, and organizations impacted by business activities
- Stakeholders EngagementProcess of involving people, groups, and organizations impacted by business activities
- Supply Chain SustainabilityManaging Environmental, Social, Economic Impacts Throughout Supply Chains
- SustainabilityMeeting present needs without compromising future generations
- Sustainability-linked BondsBonds Tied to Sustainability Performance Targets
- TCFDTask Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
- TNFDTaskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures