The 2030 Agenda is a comprehensive plan adopted by the United Nations in 2015. It comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. They balance the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, and place sustainable development and the fight against poverty on the same agenda for the first time.
The anchor method for calculating a living wage is an approach that takes into account specific regional costs in order to determine a wage level that enables a decent standard of living.
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in all its forms. It encompasses the diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms and their interactions in a particular area. Biodiversity is crucial for the functioning and stability of ecosystems and for the provision of food, clean water, clean air and other ecosystem services.
BIPoC stands for ‘black, indigenous, and people of colour’ and refers to non-white population groups.
The BSCI standard (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is a code of conduct for companies that promotes social standards for supply chains. It aims to improve working conditions, ensure fair wages and promote decent labour standards worldwide through audits and training.
The carbon footprint expresses the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of our activities – for example, those of a business. A distinction is made between the company's direct and indirect emissions (see Scopes). Emissions are given in CO2 equivalents.
Carbon offsetting refers to measures to offset greenhouse gas emissions by supporting projects that remove carbon from the atmosphere or prevent it from being released. This can be achieved through reforestation, the use of renewable energies or efficiency improvements.
The circular economy is an economic system that aims to minimise resources, reduce waste and promote a continuous flow of materials through reuse, recycling and repair. It aims to optimise the consumption of natural resources and reduce the impact on the environment.
CO2 equivalents are a unit of measurement used to compare different greenhouse gases based on their impact on the climate. They express the amount of CO2 that would have the same warming effect as the greenhouse gas in question over a certain period of time.
The CO2 levy is an incentive tax in Switzerland that is levied on fossil fuels. It provides an incentive to reduce consumption and is largely redistributed to the public and businesses. Greenhouse gas-intensive installations are exempt from the levy if their operators undertake to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a European Parliament directive on sustainability reporting by companies. Its aim is to gradually raise the importance of sustainability reporting to the level of financial reporting. The directive differentiates between corporates and medium-sized companies and does not apply to small companies.
Direct emissions are greenhouse gases emitted from sources such as vehicles, factories and heating systems during fuel combustion processes. These emissions are also referred to as Scope 1 emissions.
A due diligence process helps a company to identify, minimise or completely avoid its actual and potential negative impacts and to account for them.
Ecodesign refers to the process of designing products, services and systems with the aim of minimising their environmental impact throughout their life cycle. It includes the integration of environmentally friendly materials, energy efficiency, durability, recyclability and other ecological criteria.
The ecological footprint is a measure of the impact of human activities on the environment. It measures land and resource consumption to assess the lifestyle and production methods of an individual, a community or a country. The ecological footprint takes into account the consumption of water, energy, food, materials and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardised reports that provide transparent and verified information on a product’s environmental impact. They are based on a life cycle analysis and provide manufacturers and consumers with a basis for environmentally aware decision-making.
ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance. It refers to criteria used to measure a company's sustainability and ethical impact and so assess its long-term financial and non-financial performance.
Eutrophication refers to the over-fertilisation of rivers and lakes, primarily through the input of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This leads to excessive algae growth, oxygen deficiency and an imbalance in ecosystems.
A gap analysis is a method that compares the current state of a company or project with the desired target state. It identifies gaps between the two states in order to highlight weaknesses and potential for improvement. Targeted measures can then be taken to achieve the desired goals.
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) develops guidelines for sustainability reports. The GRI standards are designed to improve the comparability and transparency of companies' CSR activities. Participation is voluntary.
Global warming refers to the long-term rise in the average global temperature due to the increased greenhouse effect. The release of greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, through human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, increases the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere. This is leading to global warming and dramatic changes in the climate system.
The greenhouse gas balance is a quantitative record of the greenhouse gases released and absorbed by a company, organisation or product. It includes emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), is used to access the impact on global warming and serves as a basis for emission reduction strategies. By contrast, the carbon footprint only takes into account CO2 emissions.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a globally recognised standard for recording, quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from companies and organisations and serves as a framework for understanding climate impacts and developing strategies to reduce emissions.
Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat radiation from the earth and thus contribute to the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture and waste disposal increase the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere, which leads to an increase in the global average temperature and thus to global warming.
Greenwashing is making misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product, service or organisation. It makes companies or their products appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are. The term greenwashing is now also used for euphemistic claims made in social and corporate governance.
Impact-oriented goals are clear and measurable objectives that are aimed at concrete results and change, rather than focusing solely on activities or measures. In the context of sustainability, these goals are set in social, environmental and economic areas.
Indirect emissions are greenhouse gas emissions that occur at different times and places during the manufacture of products, during transport and during energy conversion.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased energy such as electricity or district heating, while Scope 3 emissions are those caused along the value chain.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurable key figures that are used to evaluate the progress and success of a company, project or activity. They help to quantify and monitor performance, progress and target achievement.
Life cycle analysis (or assessment) (LCA) refers to the systematic assessment of the environmental impact of a product, service or process over its entire life cycle. It covers the phases of raw material extraction, manufacture, use and disposal, and serves to identify environmental impacts and promote sustainable solutions.
A life cycle assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of a product, service or process throughout its entire life cycle. It covers the phases of resource consumption, emissions and waste in order to assess environmental friendliness and promote sustainable decisions.
A living wage allows workers to meet their basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare and education without financial hardship. It ensures an appropriate quality of life and prevents poverty in the working environment by promoting social and economic integration.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is an international initiative by the United Nations to assess the impact of human activity on ecosystems and their services. It looks at the relationship between ecosystems and human well-being and provides comprehensive information on the state of global ecosystems.
Negative emission technologies are biological and technical processes to remove carbon from the atmosphere and permanently sequester it in forests, soils, wood products or other carbon reservoirs.
Net zero refers to a state in which the volume of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities does not exceed the amount that can be captured and stored in nature. This is achieved by reducing emissions and at the same time utilising carbon sinks such as forests, oceans and technologies to absorb excess carbon. Net zero may refer only to carbon emissions (carbon neutral) or also take account of other greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) (greenhouse gas neutral). Climate neutral also takes account of the grey emissions caused abroad and the climate impact of international air travel.
Planetary boundaries are the ecological thresholds that indicate how much pressure and disturbance the Earth can withstand without jeopardising vital systems. They include critical factors such as climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater use and help to determine a sustainable balance for human civilisation.
The Planetary Health Diet is a nutritional model developed by scientists that protects both human health and the environment. It emphasises the consumption of nutritious, plant-based foods and reduces the consumption of animal products and processed foods in order to minimise environmental impact and promote well-being.
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is an initiative in which financial institutions and investors undertake to incorporate environmental, social and governance aspects into their investment decisions in order to create long-term value and promote sustainability.
Proxy voting refers to the practice whereby shareholders and members of a company or organisation transfer their voting rights to a representative (proxy) to vote on their behalf at meetings or votes.
A reduction path is the planned and gradual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions or other quantifiable parameters over time. Its purpose is to achieve targets for reducing negative environmental impacts and/or attain specific sustainability goals.
Regenerative agriculture is a sustainable agricultural practice that aims to improve soil health and fertility, promote biodiversity and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture. It emphasises the use of natural processes such as composting, crop rotation, agroforestry and the minimal use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in order to create healthy ecosystems and high-yield agricultural systems in the long term.
Renewable energies are obtained from natural, constantly renewing resources such as sun, wind, water and biomass.
The SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative) is an initiative that supports companies in setting science-based climate targets and defining their emission reduction targets in line with the climate targets of the Paris Climate Agreement. The SBTi provides methods and guidelines to develop and validate these targets in order to maximise companies' contribution to combating climate change.
The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their 169 targets are anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are intended to promote global sustainable development in the economic, social and ecological spheres.
The Sedex sustainable supply chain solution is a platform that helps companies manage ethical and sustainable supply chains by sharing information on social and environmental standards, enabling audits and promoting transparency in the supply chain.
Structurally disadvantaged population groups are social communities that have limited education, employment, healthcare and other opportunities due to systemic injustices, prejudices and barriers. These groups are repeatedly disadvantaged and find it harder to access opportunities and resources, which leads to inequality and social exclusion.
Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves a balance between environmental, social and economic dimensions in order to ensure long-term stability and prosperity. Sustainability aims to use resources efficiently, minimise environmental pollution and create fair social conditions.
Sustainability criteria are defined standards and guidelines for assessing the sustainability of products, services, projects and organisations. These criteria cover various aspects such as environmental impact, social justice, economic stability and ethical principles. They serve as a basis for decision-making and allow sustainability principles to be better integrated in a range of areas.
A sustainability-linked loan is a form of corporate financing in which the loan conditions are linked to the achievement of certain sustainability targets or environmental and social key performance indicators (KPIs).
Sustainable financial services are products and services in the financial sector that take environmental, social and ethical criteria into account. They aim to promote a positive impact on the environment and society by supporting investments in environmentally friendly, socially just and responsible companies and projects.
Sustainable supply chains encompass the planning, implementation and monitoring of procurement and production processes, taking social, environmental and economic aspects into account. The aim is to use resources efficiently, minimise environmental impact, improve working conditions and promote long-term social responsibility along the entire supply chain.
Underwriting is the process in which a financial institution or insurance company evaluates risk or determines whether it is willing to take on a client's insurance policy or securities.
Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted items into products of greater value or utility. In contrast to recycling, which transforms materials into similar products, upcycling involves upgrading existing materials. Upcycling promotes reuse and reduces the need for new resources.
