Glossary

Aerosol Colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. Aerosols can be
natural (clouds, fog, dust) or anthropogenic (haze, particulate air pollutants and smoke).

Anthropocene The newest current geological era, a period in which human activity has been identified
as the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

Artificial Intelligence The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally
requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition and
decision making.

Atmosphere A layer or a set of layers of gases surrounding a planet or other material body, that is
held in place by the gravity of that body.

Automation Technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic

means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum.

Biodiversity Also known as biological diversity, it is the variety of all life on earth. Biodiversity can
also be studied within a particular ecosystem.

Biogeochemical The cycle in which chemical elements and simple substances are transferred between
living systems and the environment.

Biomimicry The design and production of materials, structures and systems that are based on
biological entities and processes.

Biophysical (Environment) The surrounding of an organism or population, that influences their survival,
development, and evolution.

Biosphere Integrity The potential or original state of an ecosystem before human alterations were imposed.
The loss of biosphere integrity is one of the planetary boundaries exceeded.

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Capitalism An economic and political system in which trade and industry are controlled by private
owners for profit in a free market, rather than by the state.

Cellulosic Fibre Fibres made with ether or esters of cellulose, which can be obtained from the bark,
wood or leaves of plants, or from a plant-based material.

Certifications Verified on environmental and social aspects by an external party.

Chain of Custody A system to guarantee the integrity of the usage of a defined raw material through all
stages of production from raw material to final product. This can be done through a
system of third party issued certificates.

Climate Change Large-scale, long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns caused by
anthropogenic activity. One of the planetary boundaries exceeded.

CO2 Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas with a density about 60% higher than that of dry air.
It consists of a carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It occurs
naturally in Earth’s atmosphere as a trace gas but has risen sharply post industrialisation.

Cultural A frame of relations to ideas, traditions, and social behaviour of a society.

Deforestation When forests are cut down permanently in order to make the land available for other
uses. This is a major contributor to global warming.

Desertification The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought,
deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Design Thinking A method that uses the designer’s sensibility and methods to match people’s needs with
what is technologically feasible. Typically follows a non linear development model:
empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test.

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Earth System The physical, chemical, and biological interaction processes of earth. The system
consists of the land, oceans, atmosphere and poles. It includes the planet’s natural
cycles - the carbon, water, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and other cycles - as well as
the impact of humans on these components.

Ecocentric The view or belief that the rights and needs of humans are not superior to those of
other living organisms.

Ecological Relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and to
their surroundings.

Economic A frame of relations to the economy, or system of organisation or operation, especially

of the processes of production, as well as use of income, wealth, and commodities.

Economical Providing good value or return in relation to the resources, time, effort or money
expended.

Ecosystem A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical
environment (e.g. tropical forests, wetlands, grasslands).

Ergonomic Relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the lived and working environment.

Empathic Design A user-centered design approach that pays attention to the user’s needs and feelings
toward a product.

Environmental Footprint The impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive
land and water required to produce the goods, as well as to assimilate the wastes
generated (also known as ecological footprint).

Environmental Profit & A tool developed by Kering to help measure and understand a business’ impact
Loss Account (EP&L) on natural capital across the supply chain. The EP&L is a new way to measure
and monetise the cost to society of the changes in the environment as a result of
business activities.

Equality The state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities.

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Framework An essential supporting structure underlying a system, concept, or text.

Feedback Loop A circular system structure that allows output from one channel to eventually feed input
to that same channel.

Flourishing Developing rapidly and successfully; thriving.

Freshwater Fresh water is naturally occurring water on Earth’s surface in ice sheets, ice caps,
glaciers, icebergs, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground water.
Not of the sea.

GDP Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all final
goods and services produced in a period of time. Commonly used to determine the
economic performance of a whole country or region.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. They include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
(GHG) oxide, and fluorinated gases. They are responsible for the greenhouse effect, leading to
global warming.

Genetically Modified Organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not
occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.

Grazing Feeding livestock (goats, cattle, etc) on growing grass and pasturage.

Growth In economics - an increase in the amount of goods and services produced over a period
of time. A prominent measure of success in capitalism.

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Habitat Loss The process in which natural habitat is rendered unable to support the species present.
In this trail, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed,
leading to reduced biodiversity.

Hierarchical Arranged in order of rank. In ecology - the arrangement of biological organisms in

relation to one another.

Hippocratic Oath An oath historically taken by new physicians, requiring them to swear by a number of
healing gods and to uphold specific ethical standards.

Human Capital Stock of knowledge, habits, social and personality attributes. This includes creativity,
embodied in the ability to perform labour in order to produce economic value.

Human Equality Basic rights that are based on values like dignity, fairness, respect and independence.

High Street Used to describe chain stores selling mass manufactured goods (mostly fashion items)
at accessible prices.

Holistic Management Whole farm planning system that helps farmers better manage agricultural resources in
order to reap sustainable environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Holocene The current geological epoch (time-scale).

Human Capital Stock of knowledge, habits, social and personality attributes. This includes creativity,
embodied in the ability to perform labour in order to produce economic value.

Indirect Supplier The sourcing of all goods and services for a business to enable its activity.

Interconnected Having internal connections between the parts or elements.

Irrigation Forcing water crops by using pipes, canals, sprinklers, or other man-made means, rather
than relying on rainfall alone.

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Land System Encompasses all processes and activities related to the human use of land, including
socio-economic, technological and organisational investments and arrangements, as well
as the benefits gained from land use.

Legislation The process of making or enacting laws.

Livestock Farm animals regarded as an asset.

Longevity The quality of being long-lasting, enduring product life expectancy.

Manifesto A public statement of intention, motivation, beliefs or aims. Practiced by individuals,

groups, political parties or governments.

Methodology A system of methods or tools used in a particular area of study or activity.

Millennials A generational demographic. Cohort from early 1980s as starting birth years and the
mid-1990s to early 2000s.

Modern Day Slavery Institutions of slavery that continue to exist in the present day. Estimates of the
number of slaves today range from around 21 million to 46 million (also known
as ‘contemporary slavery’).

Nitrous Oxide Gas that is normally present in the atmosphere as part of the Earth’s nitrogen cycle, and
has a variety of natural sources. However, human activities such as agriculture, fossil
fuel combustion, wastewater management, and industrial processes are increasing the
amount of it in the atmosphere (also known as N2O).

Novel Entities The expanded man-made chemical pollution boundary. Includes emissions of toxic
compounds such as synthetic organic pollutants and radioactive materials, genetically
modified organisms, nanomaterials, and microplastics.

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Ocean Acidification A term used to describe significant changes to the chemistry of the ocean. It occurs
when carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean and reacts with seawater to produce acid.

Organic Agriculture A production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people and relies
on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than
the use of inputs with adverse effects. Additionally it combines tradition, innovation and
science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good
quality of life for all involved.

Organic Product Certified organic products are those which have been produced, stored, processed,
handled and marketed in accordance with precise technical specifications (standards)
and certified as “organic” by a certification body.

Participatory Design An approach to design attempting to actively involve all stakeholders (e.g. employees,
partners, customers, citizens, end users) in the design process to help ensure the result
meets their needs and is usable (Also known as co-design or co-operative design).

Peer Reviewed A process by which something proposed (as for research or publication) is evaluated by a
group of experts in the appropriate field.

Planetary Boundaries A concept of nine Earth system processes which have boundaries proposed in 2009 by a
group of Earth system and environmental scientists.

Prosperity A state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune or successful social status. Applies to
economic wealth as well as happiness and health.

Raw Material An unprocessed first input (for example, cotton, leather, gold, etc.) which later will
be transformed into the finished product through the various stages of processing,
manufacturing and assembly.

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Resilience The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. In ecology - the ability of an ecosystem
to respond to a perturbation or disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.

Social Relating to society and processes of living together.

Social Accountability An approach toward building accountability that relies on civic engagement.

Social Enterprise An organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in

financial, social and environmental well-being—this may include maximising social
impact alongside profits for external shareholders.

Sharing Economy An economic system in which assets or services are shared between private individuals,
either free or for a fee, typically by utilising technological means.

‘Small Hold’ Farming A small farm. In third world countries, smallholdings are usually farms supporting a
single family with a mixture of cash crops and subsistence farming.

Stakeholder An entity taking part in the supply chain. May be internal – staff, shareholders and
internal service users – and external – customers, suppliers and contractors.

Stock Goods or materials kept on the premises of the supplier, which are ready to be used for
sampling or production.

Sub-Supplier A supplier to a brand’s supplier; a second or third tier supplier.

Suppliers All of the entities that touch the raw material in its transformation from its natural state
to finished product including those that are involved in the processing, manufacturing
and assembling of the material.

Supply Chain The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.

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Sustainability Avoidance of the depletion of resources in order to maintain a balance. The ability to
maintain a level of integrity, well being and care.

Sustainable Prosperity A concept that reflects a comprehensive, long-term vision for a humanity and planet. It
represents a healthier, happier, more prosperous future for society and the environment.

Stratospheric Ozone A steady decline of the ozone layer in earth’s stratosphere.

Depletion

Tanning A process which permanently alters the protein structure of skins or hides, making them
more durable and less susceptible to decomposition, and also possibly colouring them for
leather goods manufacturing.

Technocentric A value system that is centered on technology and its ability to control and protect
the environment.

Traceability The ability to identify and trace the history, distribution, location, and application of
products, parts, and materials. In the sustainability context, traceability is a tool to assure
and verify sustainability claims associated with commodities and products, ensuring
good practice and respect for people and the environment all along the supply chain.

Urbanisation The gradual population shift from rural to urban areas.

Virgin Materials Materials sourced directly from nature in their raw form, not recycled or reprocessed.

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Water Stress Occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain
period or when poor quality restricts its use. Causes deterioration of fresh water
resources in terms of quantity and quality.

Wellbeing The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. Refers to all living things.

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