Eco jargon buster | The Green Insurer

Term	Explanation
Biodegradable	Materials that can be broken down naturally by bacteria and natural processes. This decay of materials is natural and does not need any treatment or intervention.
Biodiversity	Our planet needs a variety of plants and animals as each is dependent of others to survive. Having a healthy mix of these plants and animals leads to healthy ecosystems. Where there is an unhealthy mix, with too much of one type of plant or animal, other species will struggle to survive. Examples of this include intensive farming, palm oil plantation. Our carbon offset projects all aim to preserve biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems.
Carbon	The term carbon is a shortcut for carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is a gas that is emitted when mammals breathe, when you light a fire, drive a car and so on. Carbon dioxide is one of the key causes of global increases in temperature. Plants and trees use carbon dioxide for their survival and convert this back into healthy oxygen.
Carbon footprint	Carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by a person, business, or country (and others) from their everyday activities. Your own carbon footprint is a measure of amount of CO₂ that you are responsible for producing and one of the key measures of the harm that you do to the environment. We aim to measure The Green Insurer’s own carbon footprint and to minimise this before removing the CO₂ to mitigate any harm done by our business.
Carbon neutral	If a person, business or country balances the carbon dioxide they produce through their everyday activity and operations, then they can be described as Carbon Neutral or Net Zero. This balance can be achieved by absorbing or removing the carbon dioxide they produce. This can be done by having activity to: Avoid carbon emissions Reduce carbon emissions Offset carbon emissions The Green Insurer does this by: Avoid: Using our rewards programme to incentivise people to drive less. Reduce: Where our customers do drive, we incentivise them to drive in the most fuel-efficient way possible using our Green Driving Score and our Leaves reward programme. Offset: Where it is not possible to avoid or reduce emissions, we offset them using a range of nature-based carbon offset projects.
Carbon offset projects	Initiatives designed to balance out CO₂ emissions by investing in activities that reduce or absorb carbon. These can include reforestation, renewable energy projects, and energy efficiency improvements. Our projects are carefully selected to make a real difference.
Carbon offsets	These are reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide. This can be achieved through various environmental projects like reforestation or renewable energy investments.
Carbon offsetting	If carbon dioxide emissions can be measured, then they can be offset. These offsets remove or avoid carbon emissions by things like tree planting or replacing non-sustainably produced electricity with green energy such as solar panels or wind turbines. The two most important things to remember are: Before carbon offsetting, carbon emissions should be minimised. Any carbon offset project must be in addition to anything else that is already happening.
Carbon positive	When a person, business or country removes or offsets more carbon dioxide than they produce, then they can be described as carbon positive.
Climate change	Climate change is caused by the change in worldwide surface temperatures (Global Warming). This can be caused by a natural event such as a volcanic eruption or, more likely, from human activity. Climate change leads to droughts, flooding, poorer food production, water shortages, rising sea levels, melting sea ice and fires. In short, climate change makes our earth a more difficult and dangerous place to live.
Compostable	Compostable items break down naturally into natural, non-toxic materials. This means that they produce useful materials and avoid burying the waste (landfill).
Deforestation	The removal of forests or trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use, such as urban development.
Eco	Eco is a general term, relating to ecology and the environment. It is often used to imply that products are environmentally friendly.
Eco-conscious	Being aware of environmental issues and actively making choices that reduce their environmental impact.
Eco-friendly	Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment. This term is often used to describe items that are made sustainably or reduce environmental impact.
Ecosystem	An ecosystem is a geographic area where the animals and plants that are present in the ecosystem work together to make life in the ecosystem successful. Examples of ecosystems include: Tropical rainforest ecosystems Temperate forest ecosystems Desert ecosystems Grassland ecosystems Arctic ecosystems Saltwater marine ecosystems Freshwater marine ecosystems Within each of these ecosystem categories, there are a range of ecosystems, such as oasis ecosystem in the desert group. The plants and animals that live in the ecosystem have adapted well to the climate and landscape in the ecosystem.
Ecotourism	Ecotourism is tourism where the visitor aims to avoid damage to the environment or people in the place they are visiting.
Environmental impact	The effect of human activities on the environment. This can include pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. Reducing environmental impact is crucial for sustainability.
Forest and biodiversity loss	The decline in forest areas and species variety due to activities like deforestation and pollution. Protecting forests and biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem health.
Fossil fuels	Fossil fuels are fuels which are produced by decomposing plants and animals. These fuels store carbon dioxide which is released when it is burnt. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas.
Fuel-efficient behaviour	Driving vehicles in a way that maximises fuel efficiency and minimises consumption.
Global warming	Global warming is the process of increasing worldwide surface temperatures.
Green	Our favourite colour, but also a general term for people and businesses that are focussed on environmental issues. The colour green reflects nature.
Green Driving Score	Your green driving score is used to calculate your carbon emissions and rewards leaves. Using acceleration, braking, cornering, mobile phone use and speed to measure how green (fuel efficiently) you’re driving. The number of miles is also relevant as you’ll earn reward Leaves for driving fewer miles than anticipated.
Green insurance	Insurance policies that support environmental sustainability, offering benefits for eco-friendly practices.
Greenhouse gases	Greenhouse gases are those gases produced from human activity which lead to an increase in the earth’s surface temperature (global warming). Carbon dioxide is the most commonly talked-about greenhouse gas, but there are others, including methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour.
Greenwashing	Greenwashing is where companies give false or misleading information about their environmental performance. It is a big issue and will become bigger as businesses are made to justify what they are doing to the environment and how they are reducing their carbon footprint.
Low-emission	Vehicles, processes, or products that produce fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional ones.
Microplastics	Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are either deliberately made (such as in face washes and sandpaper) or fragments from larger pieces of plastic when they break down. They are harmful or poisonous to animal, people and to our environment.
Monoculture	A monoculture is where only one crop is grown in an area. It is common in intensive farming. So a sugar cane or palm oil plantation are both examples of this. Monocultures do not sustain a wide variety of animals and organisms in the area and can damage the soil.
Nature-based solutions	Nature-based solutions use natural processes to address climate issues. Examples of this could be tree planting or preserving valuable peatland areas rather than carbon capture and storage. Nature-based solutions have the advantage of using the earth’s natural healing powers to remove damage to our planet. They also tend to have strong benefits for the societies in which they operate.
Net zero	If a person, business or country balances the carbon dioxide they produce through their everyday activity and operations, then they can be described as Net Zero or Carbon Neutral. This balance can be done by absorbing or removing the carbon dioxide they produce. This can be done by having activity to: Avoid carbon emissions Reduce carbon emissions Offset carbon emissions The Green Insurer does this by: Avoid: Using our rewards programme to incentivise people to drive less. Reduce: Where our customers do drive, we incentivise them to drive in the most fuel-efficient way possible using our Green Driving Score and our Leaves reward programme. Offset: Where it is not possible to avoid or reduce emissions, we offset them using a range of nature-based carbon offset projects.
Peatland protection	Preserving peatlands, which are vital carbon sinks. Protecting these areas helps maintain biodiversity and prevent the release of stored carbon.
Renewable energy	Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Responsible consumption and production	Sustainable practices that minimise resource use and waste, ensuring that products are made and consumed in environmentally friendly ways.
Sustainable	Sustainable actions are things that do not damage the environment and are therefore viable in the long-term.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)	A set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to address issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change. The SDGs promote sustainable development worldwide.
Sustainable energy	Sustainable energy is energy which comes from things which do not damage the environment. Examples of this are electricity which comes from solar, wind, hydro-power or waves.
Sustainable practices	Actions that promote long-term environmental, social, and economic health. These practices ensure that resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
UN Sustainable Development Goals	A call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
Upcycle	Upcycling is where waste products are used to make something which can be used. For example, taking an old piece of furniture which is no longer wanted and converting it, or painting it to make it more attractive and usable again.
Verra	Verra is a non-profit organisation that accredits develops and manages standards for sustainable climate action. All of the projects which The Green Insurer use for carbon offsetting are accredited by Verra.

Biodegradable

Materials that can be broken down naturally by bacteria and natural processes. This decay of materials is natural and does not need any treatment or intervention.

Biodiversity

Our planet needs a variety of plants and animals as each is dependent of others to survive. Having a healthy mix of these plants and animals leads to healthy ecosystems. Where there is an unhealthy mix, with too much of one type of plant or animal, other species will struggle to survive. Examples of this include intensive farming, palm oil plantation. Our carbon offset projects all aim to preserve biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems.

Carbon

The term carbon is a shortcut for carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is a gas that is emitted when mammals breathe, when you light a fire, drive a car and so on. Carbon dioxide is one of the key causes of global increases in temperature. Plants and trees use carbon dioxide for their survival and convert this back into healthy oxygen.

Carbon footprint

Carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by a person, business, or country (and others) from their everyday activities. Your own carbon footprint is a measure of amount of CO₂ that you are responsible for producing and one of the key measures of the harm that you do to the environment. We aim to measure The Green Insurer’s own carbon footprint and to minimise this before removing the CO₂ to mitigate any harm done by our business.

Carbon neutral

If a person, business or country balances the carbon dioxide they produce through their everyday activity and operations, then they can be described as Carbon Neutral or Net Zero. This balance can be achieved by absorbing or removing the carbon dioxide they produce. This can be done by having activity to:

Avoid carbon emissions
Reduce carbon emissions
Offset carbon emissions

The Green Insurer does this by:

Avoid: Using our rewards programme to incentivise people to drive less.
Reduce: Where our customers do drive, we incentivise them to drive in the most fuel-efficient way possible using our Green Driving Score and our Leaves reward programme.
Offset: Where it is not possible to avoid or reduce emissions, we offset them using a range of nature-based carbon offset projects.

Carbon offset projects

Initiatives designed to balance out CO₂ emissions by investing in activities that reduce or absorb carbon. These can include reforestation, renewable energy projects, and energy efficiency improvements. Our projects are carefully selected to make a real difference.

Carbon offsets

These are reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide. This can be achieved through various environmental projects like reforestation or renewable energy investments.

Carbon offsetting

If carbon dioxide emissions can be measured, then they can be offset. These offsets remove or avoid carbon emissions by things like tree planting or replacing non-sustainably produced electricity with green energy such as solar panels or wind turbines. The two most important things to remember are: Before carbon offsetting, carbon emissions should be minimised.
Any carbon offset project must be in addition to anything else that is already happening.

Carbon positive

When a person, business or country removes or offsets more carbon dioxide than they produce, then they can be described as carbon positive.

Climate change

Climate change is caused by the change in worldwide surface temperatures (Global Warming). This can be caused by a natural event such as a volcanic eruption or, more likely, from human activity. Climate change leads to droughts, flooding, poorer food production, water shortages, rising sea levels, melting sea ice and fires. In short, climate change makes our earth a more difficult and dangerous place to live.

Compostable

Compostable items break down naturally into natural, non-toxic materials. This means that they produce useful materials and avoid burying the waste (landfill).

Deforestation

The removal of forests or trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use, such as urban development.

Eco

Eco is a general term, relating to ecology and the environment. It is often used to imply that products are environmentally friendly.

Eco-conscious

Being aware of environmental issues and actively making choices that reduce their environmental impact.

Eco-friendly

Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment. This term is often used to describe items that are made sustainably or reduce environmental impact.

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a geographic area where the animals and plants that are present in the ecosystem work together to make life in the ecosystem successful. Examples of ecosystems include:

Tropical rainforest ecosystems
Temperate forest ecosystems
Desert ecosystems
Grassland ecosystems
Arctic ecosystems
Saltwater marine ecosystems
Freshwater marine ecosystems

Within each of these ecosystem categories, there are a range of ecosystems, such as oasis ecosystem in the desert group. The plants and animals that live in the ecosystem have adapted well to the climate and landscape in the ecosystem.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is tourism where the visitor aims to avoid damage to the environment or people in the place they are visiting.

Environmental impact

The effect of human activities on the environment. This can include pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion. Reducing environmental impact is crucial for sustainability.

Forest and biodiversity loss

The decline in forest areas and species variety due to activities like deforestation and pollution. Protecting forests and biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem health.

Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are fuels which are produced by decomposing plants and animals. These fuels store carbon dioxide which is released when it is burnt. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas.

Fuel-efficient behaviour

Driving vehicles in a way that maximises fuel efficiency and minimises consumption.

Global warming

Global warming is the process of increasing worldwide surface temperatures.

Green

Our favourite colour, but also a general term for people and businesses that are focussed on environmental issues. The colour green reflects nature.

Green Driving Score

Your green driving score is used to calculate your carbon emissions and rewards leaves. Using acceleration, braking, cornering, mobile phone use and speed to measure how green (fuel efficiently) you’re driving. The number of miles is also relevant as you’ll earn reward Leaves for driving fewer miles than anticipated.

Green insurance

Insurance policies that support environmental sustainability, offering benefits for eco-friendly practices.

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases are those gases produced from human activity which lead to an increase in the earth’s surface temperature (global warming). Carbon dioxide is the most commonly talked-about greenhouse gas, but there are others, including methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour.

Greenwashing

Greenwashing is where companies give false or misleading information about their environmental performance. It is a big issue and will become bigger as businesses are made to justify what they are doing to the environment and how they are reducing their carbon footprint.

Low-emission

Vehicles, processes, or products that produce fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional ones.

Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are either deliberately made (such as in face washes and sandpaper) or fragments from larger pieces of plastic when they break down. They are harmful or poisonous to animal, people and to our environment.

Monoculture

A monoculture is where only one crop is grown in an area. It is common in intensive farming. So a sugar cane or palm oil plantation are both examples of this. Monocultures do not sustain a wide variety of animals and organisms in the area and can damage the soil.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions use natural processes to address climate issues. Examples of this could be tree planting or preserving valuable peatland areas rather than carbon capture and storage. Nature-based solutions have the advantage of using the earth’s natural healing powers to remove damage to our planet. They also tend to have strong benefits for the societies in which they operate.

Net zero

If a person, business or country balances the carbon dioxide they produce through their everyday activity and operations, then they can be described as Net Zero or Carbon Neutral. This balance can be done by absorbing or removing the carbon dioxide they produce. This can be done by having activity to:

Avoid carbon emissions
Reduce carbon emissions
Offset carbon emissions

The Green Insurer does this by:

Avoid: Using our rewards programme to incentivise people to drive less.
Reduce: Where our customers do drive, we incentivise them to drive in the most fuel-efficient way possible using our Green Driving Score and our Leaves reward programme.
Offset: Where it is not possible to avoid or reduce emissions, we offset them using a range of nature-based carbon offset projects.

Peatland protection

Preserving peatlands, which are vital carbon sinks. Protecting these areas helps maintain biodiversity and prevent the release of stored carbon.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydropower. Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Responsible consumption and production

Sustainable practices that minimise resource use and waste, ensuring that products are made and consumed in environmentally friendly ways.

Sustainable

Sustainable actions are things that do not damage the environment and are therefore viable in the long-term.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to address issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change. The SDGs promote sustainable development worldwide.

Sustainable energy

Sustainable energy is energy which comes from things which do not damage the environment. Examples of this are electricity which comes from solar, wind, hydro-power or waves.

Sustainable practices

Actions that promote long-term environmental, social, and economic health. These practices ensure that resources are used efficiently and responsibly.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

A call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Upcycle

Upcycling is where waste products are used to make something which can be used. For example, taking an old piece of furniture which is no longer wanted and converting it, or painting it to make it more attractive and usable again.

Verra

Verra is a non-profit organisation that accredits develops and manages standards for sustainable climate action. All of the projects which The Green Insurer use for carbon offsetting are accredited by Verra.