Sustainable Development Vocabulary in English

The most widely cited definition comes from the Brundtland Report (1987): “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This definition underpins the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is used in environmental policy, corporate reporting, and academic literature worldwide. The concept balances three pillars: economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

The terms are closely related but have slightly different meanings in technical usage. Carbon neutral typically refers to balancing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions specifically — emitting the same amount as is absorbed or offset. Net zero is broader — it refers to reducing all greenhouse gas emissions (not just CO2) to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions offset by removals. “Net zero” is now the more commonly used standard in national and corporate climate commitments.

Greenwashing is when a company or organisation makes misleading, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of its products, services, or practices. Examples include vague terms like “eco-friendly” without evidence, highlighting one small green initiative while ignoring major environmental harm, or using nature imagery to imply sustainability without delivering it. Regulators in the UK and EU have introduced rules requiring environmental claims to be accurate and verifiable.

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They cover: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land, Peace and Justice, and Partnerships for the Goals.

A circular economy is an economic model designed to eliminate waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of the traditional linear model (take raw materials, make products, dispose of them), a circular economy prioritises reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling. Products are designed to be disassembled and their components reused. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a leading organisation promoting circular economy principles globally.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. ESG investing involves evaluating companies based on these three criteria alongside traditional financial metrics. Environmental factors include carbon emissions, resource use, and climate risk. Social factors include labour practices, diversity, and community impact. Governance factors include board structure, executive pay, and anti-corruption policies. ESG-focused investment has grown rapidly as investors seek to align financial returns with positive societal and environmental outcomes.

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it, preventing it from contributing to the greenhouse effect. Natural sequestration occurs through photosynthesis — forests, wetlands, and soils absorb and store large quantities of carbon. Artificial (or technological) sequestration includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems attached to industrial plants. Scaling up carbon sequestration is considered essential for meeting net zero targets alongside emissions reductions.

Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems. They are categorised as: provisioning services (food, water, timber), regulating services (climate regulation, flood control, pollination), cultural services (recreation, spiritual value, tourism), and supporting services (nutrient cycling, soil formation). When ecosystems are degraded by human activity, these services are lost — often at enormous economic and social cost.

Intergenerational equity is the principle that present generations have a responsibility to preserve natural resources and the environment so that future generations can enjoy the same quality of life and opportunities. It is a foundational concept in sustainable development, environmental law, and climate ethics. It underpins arguments for reducing carbon emissions now — even at economic cost — to prevent worse impacts on people who are not yet born.

A carbon tax is a government-imposed fee on carbon dioxide emissions, designed to make fossil fuels more expensive and incentivise cleaner alternatives. It is a policy tool applied at source. A carbon offset is a mechanism where an organisation compensates for its own emissions by funding an equivalent reduction elsewhere — such as planting trees or investing in renewable energy projects. Critics argue that offsets allow companies to avoid reducing their own emissions; proponents say they are a necessary tool while deeper decarbonisation occurs.