Glossary of terms
Low carbon jobs
‘Low-carbon jobs’ refer to employment in
sectors that include such aspects as energy efficiency, renewable
energy techologies, alternative transport and fuels. Defined
primarily according to industry rather than occupation, they
include a range of medium and high-skilled activities; in design,
production, marketing and retail, transport and distribution,
assembly, installation, maintenance and support services including
legal, IT and technical consultancy.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. For example designing buildings that use less
energy to run and therefore also save money.
Energy efficient
Machines and equipment that uses energy to the
best of its ability and without losing it through other means such
as heat and noise.
Low carbon economy
A country whose economic status means that
they can support low carbon initiatives, businesses and
societies.
Low carbon skills
Training that a person can gain in reference
to learning about energy efficiency, renewables, alternative
transport and fuels.
Carbon emissions
Emissions that are released into the
atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and
gas.
Climate change
The change in the earth’s atmosphere that
affects temperature, weather patterns and environments. This change
can be natural and influenced by the global warming effect.
Global warming
Global warming refers to the increase in the
earth's surface temperature due to higher levels of greenhouse
gases such as carbon and methane which trap heat within the
atmosphere, and the projected worsening of this effect over
time.
European Social Fund
A European initiative set up to improve
employment opportunities in the European Union and so help raise
standards of living. It aims to help people fulfil their potential
by giving them better skills and better job prospects.
Carbon Trust
A non-profit
making company providing specialist support to help business
and the public sector cut carbon emissions, saving energy and invest in low carbon
technologies.
Carbon footprint
A person or businesses carbon footprint refers
to the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere for
which they are responsible - whether directly, via their home
energy use, their transport use, or indirectly via the products
and services they buy and use.
Landfill site
Landfill sites are where local authorities and
industry can take waste to be buried and compacted with other
wastes.
Alternative technologies
Manufacturing or production methods that are
less polluting and more resource efficient than the traditional
methods.