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GLOSSARY
SUSTAINABILITY
Ecological/Environmental Sustainability
Long-term maintenance of ecosystem components and functions
for future generations.
Reporting
Presenting data to internal management and external users such
as regulators, shareholders, the general public or specific stakeholder groups.
Social Impacts
The effects of certain actions and/or activities on society. Areas of
social impact include public health and safety, employment, aesthetic surroundings, employee health and safety, etc.
Stakeholder
Any organization, governmental entity, or individual that has a
stake in or may be impacted by a given approach to economic
activities of different fields.
Stakeholder Value
Value directly relating to the stakeholders’ perceptions.
Sustainable Business
A business that is able to anticipate and meet the economic,
environmental and social needs of present and future generations of customers and other stakeholders.
Sustainable Development
Ability to continually meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Triple Bottom Line
A business that measures corporate performance along three
lines: economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and social
responsibility.
ENVIRONMENT
Air Emissions Inventory
It is an accounting of the amount of air pollutants discharged into the
atmosphere characterized by the following factors: a) the chemical or
physical identity of the pollutants included; b) the geographic area covered; c) the institutional entities covered; d) the time period over which
emissions are estimated; e) the types of activities that cause emissions.
Air Pollutant
Any substance in air that could, in high enough concentration,
harm man, animals, vegetation or material.
Air Quality Standards
The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that are not be
exceeded during a given time in a defined area.
Alternative Fuels
Substitutes for traditional oil-derived fuels, including mixtures of
alcohol-based fuels with gasoline, methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas and waste.
Biodiversity
Refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the
ecological complexes in which they occur. Diversity can be defined as
the number of different items and their relative frequencies. For biological diversity, these items are organized at many levels, ranging from
complete ecosystems to the biochemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity. Thus, the term encompasses different ecosystems, species, and genes.
Biomass
Plant materials and animal waste used as source of fuel.
Biosphere
The portion of Earth and its atmosphere that can support life.
Climate Change
The term “climate change” (also referred to as “global climate
change”) is sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic
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inconsistency, but because the Earth's climate is never static, the
term is more properly used to imply a significant change from
one climatic condition to another. In some cases, “climate
change” has been used synonymously with the term, “global
warming”; scientists however, tend to use the term in the wider
sense to also include natural changes in climate.
Cogeneration
The consecutive generation of useful thermal and electric energy
from the same fuel source.
Eco-efficiency
The delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life, while progressively
reducing ecological impacts and resource-use intensity throughout the lifecycle (create more value with less impact).
Ecosystem
The interacting system of a biological community and its non-living environmental surroundings
Emission
Pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smokestacks,
other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities; from residential chimneys; and from motor vehicle, locomotive, or aircraft exhausts.
Emission Standard
The maximum amount of air polluting discharge legally allowed
from a single source, mobile or stationary.
Emissions Trading
The creation of surplus emission reductions at certain stacks, vents
or similar emissions sources and the use of this surplus to meet or
redefine pollution requirements applicable to other emissions
sources. This allows one source to increase emissions when another source reduces them, maintaining an overall constant emission
level. Facilities that reduce emissions substantially may "bank"
their "credits" or sell them to other facilities or industries.
Energy Recovery
Obtaining energy from waste through a variety of processes (e.g.
combustion).
Environmental Audit
An independent assessment of the current status of a party's
compliance with applicable environmental requirements or of a
party's environmental compliance policies, practices, and controls.
Fossil Fuel
Fuel derived from ancient organic remains; e.g. peat, coal, crude
oil, and natural gas.
Global Warming
An increase in the near surface temperature of the Earth. Global
warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse
gases. Scientists generally agree that the Earth's surface has warmed
by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past 140 years.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently concluded that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing an increase in the Earth's surface temperature and that increased
concentrations of sulfate aerosols have led to relative cooling in some
regions, generally over and downwind of heavily industrialized areas.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
A factor describing the radiative forcing impact (degree of harm
to atmosphere) of one unit of a given greenhouse gas relative to
one unit CO2.
Greenhouse Effect
The warming of the Earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup
of carbon dioxide or other gases; some scientists think that this
build-up allows the sun's rays to heat the Earth, while making
the infra-red radiation atmosphere opaque to infra-red radiation,
thereby preventing a counterbalancing loss of heat.
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Gaseous pollutants released into the atmosphere through the
burning of fossil fuels and through other avenues, that amplify
the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is widely accepted
as the cause of global climate change. Gases include CO2, CH4,
N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and other CO2 equivalents.
Incineration
A treatment technology involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at high temperatures; e.g., burning sludge to
remove the water and reduce the remaining residues to a safe,
non-burnable ash that can be disposed of safely on land, in some
waters, or in underground locations.
Incinerator
A furnace for burning waste under controlled conditions.
Indicator
A measure of performance, either qualitative and quantitative.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
International body of climate change scientists. The role of IPCC is to
assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant
to the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change.
Landfills
In general, landfills are disposal sites for non-hazardous solid
wastes spread in layers, compacted to the smallest practical volume, and covered by material applied at the end of each operating day. Landfills may also be disposal sites for hazardous
waste, selected and designed to minimize the chance of release
of hazardous substances into the environment.
Landscape
The traits, patterns, and structure of a specific geographic area,
including its biological composition, its physical environment,
and its anthropogenic or social patterns. An area where interacting ecosystems are grouped and repeated in similar form.
Lifecycle Analysis
A detailed examination of the full lifecycle of a product, process,
system or function (“from cradle to grave”). Taking as an example the case of a manufactured product, a llifecycle analysis
involves taking or calculating detailed measurements during the
manufacture of the product, from the extraction of the raw
materials used in its production and distribution, through to its
use, possible reuse or recycling and eventual disposal.
Ozone Depletion
Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer which shields the
earth from ultraviolet radiation harmful to life. This destruction of
ozone is caused by the breakdown of certain chlorine and/or
bromine containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or halons),
which break down when they reach the stratosphere and then
catalytically destroy ozone molecules.
Ozone Hole
A thinning break in the stratospheric ozone layer. Designation of
amount of such depletion as an “ozone hole” is made when the
detected amount of depletion exceeds fifty percent. Seasonal ozone
holes have been observed over both the Antarctic and Arctic regions,
part of Canada, and the extreme northeastern United States.
Ozone Layer
The protective layer in the atmosphere, about 15 miles above the
ground, that absorbs some of the sun's ultraviolet rays, thereby
reducing the amount of potentially harmful radiation that reaches the earth's surface.
Pollutant
Generally, any substance introduced into the environment that
adversely affects the usefulness of a resource or the health of
humans, animals, or ecosystems.
Pollution
Generally, the presence of a substance in the environment that
because of its chemical composition or quantity prevents the func-
tioning of natural processes and produces undesirable environmental
and health effects (man-made or man-induced alteration of the physical, biological, chemical, and radiological integrity of water, soil, or air).
Recycle
Minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing
usable products that might otherwise become waste.
Renewable Energy
Energy taken from sources that are inexhaustible, e.g. wind, solar
and geothermal energy, and biofuels.
Reuse
Using a product or component of municipal solid waste in its
original form more than once.
Waste
Unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process, and
Refuse from places of human or animal habitation.
Waste Minimization
Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes; term is also
applied to recycling and other efforts to reduce the amount of
waste going into the waste stream.
Waste Reduction
Using source reduction, recycling, or composting to prevent or
reduce waste generation.
Wastewater
The spent or used water from a home, community, farm, or
industry that contains dissolved or suspended matter.
Water Pollution
The presence in water of enough harmful or objectionable material to damage the water's quality.
KEY-DOCUMENTS
Kyoto Protocol
In December 1997, more than 160 nations met in Kyoto, Japan,
to negotiate binding limitations on greenhouse gases for the
developed countries, pursuant to the objectives of the
Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992. The outcome of the meeting was the Kyoto Protocol, in which the developed nations agreed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions relative to the levels emitted in 1990 during the period 2008-2012.
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer is a landmark international agreement designed to protect
the stratospheric ozone layer. The treaty was originally signed in
1987 and substantially amended in 1990 and 1992. The Montreal
Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere (chlorofluorocarbons - CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform)
were to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform).
Stockholm POPs Convention
The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health
and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs
are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods,
become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife. POPs circulate globally and can cause damage wherever they travel. In implementing the Convention, governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs in the environment.
WBCSD Carbon Dioxide Protocol
Internationally accepted standard methodology for monitoring and
reporting CO2 emissions from cement manufacturing activities.
WRI-WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol
A measurement protocol developed jointly by the World Resources
Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
POLLUTANTS
Cadmium - Cd
A heavy metal that accumulates in the environment.
Carbon Dioxide - CO2
A compound consisting of one carbon and two oxygens. It is a
reactant in photosynthesis and necessary for plant life. Abundant
in the atmosphere due to anthropogenic and natural activities. It
is a greenhouse gas.
Carbon Monoxide - CO
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete fossil fuel combustion.
Chlorofluorocarbons - CFCs
A family of inert, nontoxic, and easily liquefied chemicals used in
refrigeration, air conditioning, packaging, insulation, or as solvents and aerosol propellants. Because CFCs are not destroyed in
the lower atmosphere they drift into the upper atmosphere
where their chlorine components destroy ozone.
Dioxin
Any of a family of compounds known chemically as dibenzo-pdioxins. Concern about them arises from their potential toxicity
as contaminants in commercial products. Tests on laboratory animals indicate that it is one of the more toxic anthropogenic
(man-made) compounds.
Fluorocarbons - FCs
Any of a number of organic compounds analogous to hydrocarbons
in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine.
Once used as a propellant for domestic aerosols, they are now found
mainly in coolants and some industrial processes. FCs containing
chlorine are called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). They are believed to
be modifying the ozone layer in the stratosphere, thereby allowing
more harmful solar radiation to reach the Earth's surface.
Heavy Metals
Metallic elements with high atomic weights; (e.g. mercury, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, and lead); can damage living things at low
concentrations and tend to accumulate in the food chain.
Hydrocarbons - HC
Chemical compounds that consist entirely of carbon and hydrogen.
Mercury - Hg
Heavy metal that can accumulate in the environment and is highly toxic if breathed or swallowed.
Nitric Oxide - NO
A gas formed by combustion under high temperature and high
pressure in an internal combustion engine; it is converted by sunlight and photochemical processes in ambient air to nitrogen
oxide. NO is a precursor of ground-level ozone pollution, or smog.
Nitrogen Dioxide - NO2
The result of nitric oxide combining with oxygen in the atmosphere; major component of photochemical smog.
Nitrogen Oxide - NOx
The result of photochemical reactions of nitric oxide in ambient air;
major component of photochemical smog. Product of combustion
from transportation and stationary sources and a major contributor to
the formation of ozone in the troposphere and to acid deposition.
Particulates
Fine liquid or solid particles such as dust, smoke, mist, fumes, or
smog, found in air or emissions. Also very small solids suspended in water; they can vary in size, shape, density and electrical charge
and can be gathered together by coagulation and flocculation
Sulfur Dioxide - SO2
A colorless gas consisting of a single sulfur atom and two oxygen
atoms. Sulfur dioxide is a major primary pollutant in the atmosphere originating mostly from coal fired power plants and other
fossil fuels combustion. In the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide is usually oxidized by ozone and hydrogen peroxide to form sulfur tri-
oxide, a secondary pollutant. Sulfur trioxide, similar to sulfur
dioxide, is extremely soluble in water. If these sulfur oxides are
present in the atmosphere when condensation occurs, droplets
of sulfuric acid (acid rain) are formed. Volcanic eruptions provide
a natural source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. However
the real problem associated with the production of sulfuric acid
in the atmosphere is not with the sulfur dioxide expelled by volcanoes. Anthropogenic production of sulfur dioxide, caused by
the burning of fossil fuels, is largely responsible for damage
caused by acid rain.
Sulfur Oxide - SOx
Pungent, colorless gases (sulfates are solids) formed primarily by
the combustion of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, especially coal
and oil. Considered major air pollutants, sulfur oxides may
impact human health and damage vegetation.
Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs
Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and easily
form vapors at normal temperature and pressure.
The term is generally applied to organic solvents, certain paint
additives, aerosol spray can propellants, fuels (such as gasoline,
and kerosene), petroleum distillates, dry cleaning products and
many other industrial and consumer products ranging from
office supplies to building materials. VOCs are also naturally emitted by a number of plants and trees.
CEMENT PRODUCTION
Aggregate
Gravel, sand, crushed stone, and possibly other materials used in
making concrete.
Ash
The mineral content of a product remaining after complete combustion.
Cement
Within the cement industry, and especially the technical domain,
this term is often understood as Ordinary Portland Cement.
Clinker
Decarbonized, sintered, and rapidly-cooled limestone. Clinker is
an intermediate product in cement manufacturing.
Concrete, ready-mixed
A material produced by mixing binder, water, and aggregate. The
fluid mass undergoes hydration to produce concrete. Average
cement content in concrete is about 15%.
Fly Ash
By-product with binding properties typically produced as a
residue from coal-fired power plants.
Kiln
Large industrial oven for producing clinker used in manufacture
of cement.
Ordinary Portland Cement
Cement that consists of approximately 95% ground clinker and
5% gypsum.
SOURCES
WBCSD-Battelle, Toward a Sustainable Cement Industry. Summary
Report, 2002
WBCSD-WRI, The Greenhouse Gas Protocol. A corporate Accounting and
Reporting Standard, 2001
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Terms of the Environment,
December 2002
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