Multilingual Energy Dictionary
Clarifying concepts, seeking meaning
A
Air Pollution
The presence of materials or substances in the atmosphere that pose risks to people and the environment.
Air Quality
The degree to which the air is free from pollutants, such as ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. These substances originate from natural or anthropogenic emissions, which, on their own or as a result of physicochemical reactions, impact our health, ecosystem functioning, and material degradation.
B
Batteries
An essential element for storing energy generated by renewable sources, especially wind and photovoltaic solar due to their intermittent production, and for powering electric vehicles and other means of transportation.
Biodiversity
Also known as biological diversity, it refers to the variability of living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes they are part of. It encompasses the diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. Its richness, protection, and conservation promote the preservation of ecosystems.
Biofuels
Renewable fuels obtained from organic matter. They are characterized by having up to 90% lower net CO2 emissions over their lifecycle compared to traditional fuels. First-generation biofuels come from crops specifically grown for this purpose, while second-generation biofuels are produced from organic waste, such as used cooking oils or agricultural and livestock residues.
Biogas
A renewable gas obtained through the decomposition of organic waste from industries such as food, agriculture, or livestock. It can be compressed and transported via pipelines, but it is already used for self-consumption by farmers and industries that generate it. It is used for both electricity generation and heat production. Notably, biomethane, a type of renewable fuel gas, is derived from biogas through a process of enrichment and concentration known as "upgrading."
Biomass
Organic matter produced by plants and animals and the materials derived from their natural or artificial transformation. It can be a renewable energy source mainly used for heat and electricity production. The most common type is firewood, which remains the primary energy source in many countries in the global south.
C
Carbon ( C )
A chemical element that forms the basis of life. Its chemical properties allow it to bond with many different atoms to form large and complex molecules. In fact, carbon chemistry is so diverse that it can form more chemical compounds than all the other elements in the periodic table combined. It forms carbon dioxide with oxygen, vital for plant growth, and numerous compounds called hydrocarbons with hydrogen.
Carbon Capture
A set of technologies aimed at capturing, transporting, and permanently storing CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can subsequently be used in various ways, for example, to produce fuels like ammonia and methanol, which are, in turn, molecules that can transport renewable hydrogen.
Carbon Footprint
An environmental indicator that reflects the total greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, product, or during the development of a process or activity. From industries to everyday actions like traveling, charging a mobile phone, or doing laundry, all generate gases that accumulate in the atmosphere and can be measured, with the goal of changing habits to reduce impact.
Carbon Intensity
Also known as C.I. (Carbon Intensity), it refers to the amount of CO₂ emissions per unit of energy in a specific activity or industrial production process. This index can be applied to, for example, a country's GDP. It is used to quantify the process of emission reduction in companies, activities, or geographical areas.
Carbon Sinks
Natural (oceans, forests, and soils) or artificial reservoirs that store carbon by removing it from the atmosphere, helping to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the air. It is estimated that natural sinks can only absorb 32% of current emissions.
Circular Economy
A production and consumption model that prioritizes sharing, reusing, repairing, renewing, and recycling existing materials and products as much as possible to minimize waste, save energy, and reduce the use of raw materials. It contrasts with the "use and dispose" or linear economic model.
Climate Action
A set of initiatives to address climate change and adapt to its consequences, whether through public policies, funding programs, business actions, or social mobilizations. The most significant of these "climate actions" is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also include changes in mobility, a new concept of nature-based urban redevelopment, changes in industry, rational water use, reforestation, and more. It has gained significant relevance over the past decade and is one of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN (SDG 13).
Climate Change
A change in climate attributed by the international scientific community to human activity, either directly or indirectly, which alters the global atmospheric composition and adds to the natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
Climate Neutrality
The concept that the net emissions of greenhouse gases are balanced, being equal to or less than those removed through the planet’s natural absorption processes, such as oceans, forests, and other natural carbon sinks.
COP
An acronym for Conference of the Parties, which is the Annual Summit held by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where the 196 member countries meet. It originated from the Earth Summit organized in Rio in 1992, with the first COP held in 1995 in Berlin. Since then, it has been held annually (except in 2020 due to the pandemic), with notable ones including COP 3 in 1997 for the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol and COP 21 in 2015 for the Paris Agreement.
Copernicus
The European Union's Earth Observation Program, which monitors our planet and its environment for the maximum benefit of all European citizens. It provides information services based on Earth observation data from satellites and in situ (non-space) data. Vast amounts of global data from satellites and ground, air, and sea-based measurement systems are used to deliver information that helps service providers, public administrations, and other international organizations improve the quality of life for European citizens. The information services provided are free and openly accessible to users.
Critical Raw Materials
Materials identified by the European Commission as requiring special attention due to their economic importance and the high risk associated with a disruption in their supply for the EU. Notable examples include lithium and cobalt found in mobile phones and electronic devices; indium oxide and tin for liquid crystal displays (LCDs); silicon and small but essential amounts of platinum group metals needed for the internal electronic control of almost all modern electrical devices; and neodymium, a component of magnets in external hard drives and computers.
D
Decarbonization
The process of reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2). It is one of the central pillars of ecological sustainability, as CO2 is one of the main contributors to climate change.
Deforestation
The process by which forested areas are destroyed, whether for commercial use, infrastructure development, or due to fires. Since forests are the primary carbon reservoirs of our planet, their disappearance is one of the main challenges in combating climate change.
E
Eco-design
A practice aimed at reducing the environmental impact of any product or service at all stages of its lifecycle, from its creation as a concept to its treatment as waste.
Ecological Footprint
An indicator that measures the impact of human actions on the environment. It is calculated by considering the amount of land required to satisfy resource demand and to absorb the waste generated by these actions.
Ecosystem
A community or group of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment in a specific area, which can range from large regions to very small surfaces.
Electric System
The set of all elements involved in the process of production, transmission, distribution, and sale of electrical energy. It includes generation and storage plants, transmission and distribution networks, and all connected infrastructures.
Electric Vehicle
A means of transport powered by electricity instead of gasoline or gas combustion. Its main advantages are that it produces no emissions during use (though emissions may occur depending on how the electricity is generated) and has an efficiency of 75% to 80%, compared to 30% to 35% for combustion engines.
Electrification
An essential process in the energy transition, aiming to perform as many energy uses as possible with electricity instead of fossil fuel combustion. Examples include replacing gas boilers for domestic hot water and heating with heat pumps, or using electric vehicles instead of combustion engines for transport.
Electrolysis
A process by which the elements of a chemical compound are separated using electric current, which allows hydrogen to be extracted from the water molecule. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, it produces green or renewable hydrogen.
Energy
The capacity of bodies and matter to perform work. It is categorized into primary energy, referring to its source (oil, coal, sun, wind, etc.), and final energy, defining its use (gasoline, heat, electricity, etc.).
Energy Consumption
The amount of energy used to carry out a specific process or meet certain needs. Reducing energy consumption through savings and efficiency, as well as through product or service design, is one of the priorities of the ecological transition.
Energy Dependence
Determined by the amount of energy a country imports to meet its needs, whether in primary energy, such as oil or gas, or final energy, such as fuels, electricity, etc.
Energy Efficiency
The use of the least amount of energy possible without sacrificing the product or service provided, such as using low-consumption light bulbs, while saving would involve turning off the light when not needed. Efficiency involves technology, material selection, design, energy retrofitting of buildings, but also habit changes and adopting a new energy consumption culture.
Energy Mix
Also known as the energy matrix, it refers to the combination of technologies that provide energy in a particular area or activity. In the Spanish electricity mix, the main technologies include wind, nuclear, combined cycles, and photovoltaic energy.
Energy Networks
Infrastructures used to transport energy from the places where it is generated to the final consumer. In the case of electricity, the classic framework involves two networks: the first is the transmission network, which carries high-voltage electricity from generation plants to primary substations. The second is the distribution network, which transports it at medium voltage to secondary substations and then at low voltage to the final consumers.
Energy Park
A set of facilities designed to generate final energy from primary energy sources, sometimes incorporating various technologies such as refineries, green hydrogen parks, photovoltaic plants, or biofuel production.
Energy poverty
Situation in which a household finds itself in which the basic needs of energy supplies cannot be satisfied, as a consequence of an insufficient level of income and which, where appropriate, may be aggravated by having an energy-inefficient home.
Energy Retrofit of Buildings
A set of actions that can be carried out on the facades, roofs, and installations of buildings to reduce energy consumption, improve the comfort of inhabitants, and adapt to climate change.
Energy Saving
A set of practices aimed at using only the energy that is essential without sacrificing the goods and services it provides. Along with efficiency and renewable energies, it constitutes one of the three pillars of the energy transition.
Energy Security
A situation in which the supply of necessary energy to meet demand is guaranteed, typically for a country or continent, through external supply and the generation of domestic sources. In the energy transition, it is one of the three pillars alongside environmental and economic sustainability.
Energy Storage
The accumulation of energy using various technologies, with hydroelectric pumping and batteries standing out in terms of volume. It is one of the key components of the energy transition, especially in the electricity sector, due to the intermittency of renewable energy generation, which is fundamental to the new energy paradigm.
Energy Supply
The action of providing the energy (whether electricity, gas, fuels, etc.) required by consumer demand. Energy supply security is a crucial element primarily related to the energy dependency of each country, continent, or activity.
Energy Transition
A process aimed at transforming energy use to avoid greenhouse gas emissions globally by shifting from a fossil fuel-based model—gas, oil, and coal—to one where energy consumption is based on criteria of savings, efficiency, and the use of renewable energy sources, along with the development of other important concepts such as energy democratization, distributed generation, or guaranteed access to energy.
Energy Vector
A medium, device, or substance capable of storing and transporting a certain amount of energy previously generated from primary sources, which can later be released at a specific time and place in a controlled manner. Hydrogen (green or conventional) is an energy vector, as are batteries and pumped hydro storage, among others.
Environmental Impact
The effect that human activity has on the environment, also known as anthropogenic impact, resulting in a disruption of environmental balance. Common environmental impacts include air pollution, water pollution (seas, rivers, groundwater), and harm to biodiversity.
Environmental Impact Statement
A document issued by a public administration that reports on the consequences, impacts, effects, or overall compliance with environmental regulations of a specific project, activity, service, or product. Prior to this, an environmental assessment is conducted, which is a technical and administrative procedure that considers all aspects related to environmental protection to approve, deny, or modify the plans, projects, or programs under consideration. Before the environmental impact statement is issued, a public consultation is held.
Environmental Responsibility
The commitment of administrations, businesses, and citizens to care for and develop their environments, considering the ecological impact of an activity or action and acting accordingly. Beyond the environmental responsibility established by regulatory frameworks, society increasingly demands a greater commitment to environmental respect and sustainability as a guiding principle.
ESG
Acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria, which measure a company's management capacity concerning long-term sustainability risks and its approach to addressing related issues.
European Green Deal
A package of policy initiatives approved by the European Commission in 2020, inspired by the "Green New Deal," aimed at promoting the ecological transition to achieve climate neutrality before 2050. The Green Deal adopts a holistic and cross-sectoral approach, aiming to implement measures in climate, environment, energy, transport, industry, agriculture, and finance.
F
Fit for 55
A set of measures by the European Union aimed at revising and updating EU legislation and initiating actions to ensure that European policies align with the climate goals agreed upon in 2022 by the Council and the European Parliament. These measures aim to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The previous EU target was a 40% reduction.
Fossil Fuels
Natural resources (gas, oil, and coal) that have taken thousands of years to form from decomposing plants and other organisms. Their combustion, due to their high carbon content, is a major source of energy generation. This combustion produces the emission of various gases, including CO2. Today, they account for 75% of the world's energy demand.
Fuels
A substance obtained by mixing different chemical compounds, used as fuel when combined with air to power internal combustion engines.
G
Generator
A device that produces electrical energy from different forms of energy: mechanical, chemical, light, or thermal. The different types of generators include the dynamo, which produces direct current, and the alternator, which generates alternating current.
Geothermal Energy
A technology that harnesses the heat from the Earth's interior, which usually maintains a constant temperature year-round, to climatize (and also provide hot water for) buildings and homes. This is done using heat pumps and an exchanger that transfers the ground's temperature to the buildings. In winter, the pump absorbs heat from the ground and releases it into the building, while in summer, the process reverses, absorbing heat from the building and transferring it to the ground. In high enthalpy geothermal systems (more heat), the heat is also used to generate electricity.
Global Warming
A term that refers to the progressive increase in the average global temperature that has been occurring since the late 19th century (the beginning of the industrial era), as a result of the growing emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from various economic and industrial activities.
Green Ammonia
Also known as renewable ammonia, it is a chemical compound obtained from the reaction between green hydrogen and nitrogen, both of which are CO2-neutral elements. It is proposed as a sustainable alternative with a lower carbon footprint, with numerous applications in industry and other sectors previously served by conventional or grey ammonia derived from natural gas.
Green Electrons
A colloquial term for electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
The release of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases into the atmosphere, which are called greenhouse gases because they trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, causing Earth's temperature to rise. The 2015 Paris Agreement obliges signatory countries to have plans for GHG emission reductions, while Europe, under the Fit for 55 initiative, aims to reduce member countries' emissions by 55% by 2030. Emissions are categorized into Scope 1, direct emissions from fuel combustion by the emitter; Scope 2, indirect emissions from purchased and consumed electricity, heat, or steam; and Scope 3, emissions from the product or service's value chain not controlled by the emitter.
Green Hydrogen Maritime Corridor
A maritime connection for transporting green hydrogen generated in areas with high renewable energy potential to regions with high consumption. One of the most significant approved corridors is the one linking the port of Algeciras (Spain), which will dispatch hydrogen from the so-called Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley, to the port of Rotterdam (Holland), from where it will be distributed to Northern European countries.
Green Hydrogen Valley
A geographic area where the local production and consumption of green hydrogen are facilitated. This concept, created by the EU, aims to promote the deployment of the hydrogen economy by bringing production closer to consumption points, with export potential.
Green Molecules
An energy vector resulting from a chemical production process using raw materials such as biomass and waste to produce second-generation biofuels, green hydrogen, or derivatives like green ammonia.
Green or Renewable Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in nature, and when it is obtained through electrolysis using renewable sources (e.g., solar or wind energy)—by breaking down water molecules (H₂O) into oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) using renewable energy—it is considered green or renewable hydrogen. This clean energy only emits water vapor and leaves no residue in the air. Both green hydrogen and its derivatives are crucial for the energy transition, particularly in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as air, maritime, and heavy land transport. Notably, this gas has been used as fuel since the early 19th century for cars, airships, and spacecraft.
H
Heavy Transport
The transport of goods or any object requiring a vehicle with a maximum authorized weight of over six tons and a load capacity exceeding three and a half tons, a characteristic that conditions the substitution of fossil fuels with renewables or electrification.
Hybrid Vehicle
A means of transport that uses both an electric motor and a combustion engine, typically gasoline, though it can also be diesel. The two engines can work together or separately to power the vehicle. The traction battery is charged by a generator powered by the combustion engine and by regenerative braking, which recovers energy generated during deceleration and braking. Plug-in hybrids can be recharged from an external source, allowing for greater electric-only autonomy.
Hydrogen Station
Also known as a hydrogen refueling station, it is a service or storage facility for hydrogen, dispensing it either as fuel cells or as a raw material.
I
Industry 4.0
Also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is a new way of producing focused on interconnectivity, automation, and real-time data. This concept is based on the merging of technologies, blurring the boundaries between physical, digital, and biological spheres.
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan
A planning tool mandated by the EU for each member state. Its main goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23% compared to 1990 levels, increasing to 32% in 2024. This goal involves eliminating one out of every three tons of greenhouse gases currently emitted, aligning with increased European ambition for 2030 and the Paris Agreement.
Internal Combustion Vehicle
A means of transport equipped with a thermal engine (diesel or gasoline) where part of the energy released by burning fuel is converted into work, i.e., movement, while the rest, around 70%, is lost as thermal energy.
J
Just Transition
A strategy aimed at ensuring that the changes involved in the energy transition, including the abandonment of certain technologies, do not harm workers, regions, and society in general. Just transition plans seek to minimize these impacts by creating opportunities for those regions and workers through the development of new activities inherent to a green and low-carbon economy.
K
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement adopted in 1997 and in force since February 2005. It has been ratified by 192 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and establishes, for the first time, targets for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions for major developed countries and economies in transition, with a compliance timeline.
L
Low Emission Zones (LEZ)
Urban areas with restricted access for certain vehicles based on their emissions, intended to improve air quality. In Spain, LEZs are mandatory in all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants and also apply to those with over 20,000 inhabitants that exceed maximum pollution levels.
M
N
Net Positive
A movement or trend that seeks to go beyond strict compliance with environmental regulations, aiming to create positive impacts for people and society through actions linked to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
Net Zero
The outcome of initiatives or projects that achieve a balance by offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions produced from energy consumption with the emissions absorbed by the raw materials needed for their production.
Nitrogen Oxides
Gaseous binary chemical compounds formed by the combination of oxygen and nitrogen. The most common formation process for these inorganic compounds is high-temperature combustion. They include both nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
O
P
Paris Agreement
The most important international treaty on climate change. It was adopted on December 12, 2015, within the framework of COP 21 and embodies the "legally binding" commitment of 195 nations (as of early 2021, 189 had ratified it) to reduce emissions in order to limit global warming during this century to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. The second pillar of this agreement is the commitment to collaborate on adapting to the consequences of climate change. It marked a milestone because, for the first time, both developed and developing countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide.
Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy
Renewable energy obtained by harnessing solar radiation. Photovoltaic energy generates electricity through panels or plates that utilize the photovoltaic effect, while solar thermal energy concentrates the sun's heat using mirrors or parabolic troughs in a circuit to operate a generator. The significant drop in installation costs and versatility for both small domestic systems and large-scale parks have made photovoltaic energy a key technology in the energy transition.
Plastics
Materials made from organic or synthetic compounds derived from natural materials like cellulose, coal, natural gas, and mainly petroleum, which have the property of being malleable and can be molded into solid objects of various shapes. This property gives plastics a wide range of applications. Plastic takes more than 200 years to begin degrading when released into the environment, and it is estimated that an average of thirteen million tons of plastic is dumped into the oceans each year, constituting one of the most serious environmental problems.
Q
R
Rare Earths
A common name for seventeen chemical elements, such as scandium and yttrium, used for various purposes and especially for manufacturing essential components for the development of renewable energy, like the magnets found in wind turbines. They are also important in the defense sector. They are called "rare" because the minerals containing them are scarce, and their location and availability are very limited.
Reclaimed Water
Treated wastewater that has undergone an additional or complementary treatment process to adjust its quality for its intended use.
Recycling
The process of collecting and transforming materials into new products, which would otherwise be discarded as waste. Recycling reduces the consumption of new raw materials and energy use. It is the third component of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Common recyclable materials include paper and cardboard, glass, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, certain plastics, fabrics, textiles, wood, and electronic components.
Renewable Diesel
A biofuel produced by refining organic waste that does not compete with food supply, such as used cooking oils or agricultural and livestock waste (in the case of second-generation biofuels), through a hydrogenation process (HDRD, Hydrogenation-Derived Renewable Diesel). It is used either as a standalone alternative to petroleum diesel or blended with petroleum diesel.
Renewable Energy
Energy generated from sources present in nature, such as the sun, water, and wind, that produces no emissions during use and is inexhaustible. Renewable energy sources are distributed worldwide and can be used in small domestic installations, large photovoltaic plants, or wind farms with the same power as thermal power plants. Globally, renewables represent 14.2% of primary energy consumption; and in Europe, 19.3%.
Renewable Fuels
Fuels made from non-fossil raw materials such as biomass or water, among others. This category includes biofuels, synthetic fuels or e-fuels, and methanol. They are carbon dioxide neutral, as the CO2 emitted is equivalent to the amount captured for their synthesis.
Renewable Gases
Any gas that originates from or is produced using renewable sources. This includes biogas, with biomethane being the most developed technology, green hydrogen, or synthetic gas obtained from renewable energy surpluses. These gases are considered essential for achieving emission reduction targets, improving air quality, increasing renewable energy penetration, and advancing the circular economy.
Reuse
The action of using natural resources and discarded goods or products (referred to as waste) again, either for the same purpose or a different one. It generates less trash and uses fewer resources (raw materials, water, energy, etc.) to produce new products.
S
SAF
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a liquid fuel currently used in commercial aviation that significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. It can be produced from various sources (feedstocks), such as used cooking oils and residual fats, green and municipal waste, and non-food competing crops, in which case it is a second-generation biofuel (2G). It can also be synthetically produced from carbon and green hydrogen, for example, by capturing CO₂ directly from the air; in this case, it is a renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO, or e-fuel). SAF is the best and fastest way to decarbonize air transport, responsible for 2% of global emissions, without the need to change engine technology or SAF storage and transport infrastructure, making this sustainable alternative more competitive compared to others that are less economically and technically viable.
Self-Consumption
The generation of electricity for consumption at the same site where it is produced, allowing businesses and individuals to generate part or all of the energy they need for their activities. The current development of self-consumption is primarily based on the use of photovoltaic solar energy.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
A gas produced during the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur, especially in high-temperature industrial processes and power generation. It has adverse effects on health, biodiversity, soils, and ecosystems. State and European regulations have mandated the implementation of desulfurization processes.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development, and institutional change are made consistent with both future and present needs. (UN, 1987). The IPCC defines this concept as: a dynamic process that ensures the persistence of human and natural systems in an equitable manner.
Sustainable Cities
Urban areas capable of meeting the needs of their population while minimizing their environmental impact, reducing emissions, and adapting to the consequences of climate change. A new approach to urban planning, sustainable mobility, and energy-efficient building retrofitting are key pillars in achieving this sustainability. Sustainable cities are the eleventh of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainable Consumption
The use of products and services that minimize the utilization of natural and energy resources, the generation of toxic materials and waste, and involve adopting trends and lifestyles with a lower environmental impact.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being, according to the definition approved in 1987 by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development.
Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030)
Seventeen global goals adopted by the United Nations in September 2015 to ensure prosperity for all and protect the planet, serving as a guide for a new sustainable development agenda. These goals include eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring education and health, taking action on climate (Goal 13), and ensuring access to affordable, safe, sustainable, and modern energy (Goal 7).
Sustainable Finance
Those that incorporate social and environmental factors and adopt an ethical approach when making investment decisions, following ESG criteria, with the goal of encouraging the processes of change and adaptation necessary to advance towards a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Sustainable Mobility
A model focused on the movement of people that aims to reduce the environmental impact of emissions generated by the current system, which is primarily based on fossil fuel use, in both private vehicles and public, maritime, or air transport. The ecological transition calls for more sustainable mobility, not only environmentally but also socially and energetically. Measures taken by major cities to achieve this include redesigning urban planning to reduce travel distances, pedestrianizing city centers, promoting the use of bicycles or scooters, prioritizing public transport, decarbonizing air and maritime transport, and facilitating the development of electric vehicles.
Sustainable Water Management
The responsible and efficient use and control of water resources, taking into account various factors such as usage efficiency, land planning, citizen participation, regulations, technology, economy, conservation of supply networks, and consumption control. Greenwashing
A marketing tactic aimed at creating a false image of environmental responsibility regarding a product, service, or brand.
T
U
V
W
Waste
Material generated that, although already used, can still be reused or recycled. Examples of waste include glass, paper, aluminum, and recyclable plastic. In contrast, trash is anything that is no longer useful and cannot be reused or recycled in any way.
Water Resources
The volume of water naturally found in different physical states and potentially available for use in various human activities, whether domestic, agricultural, or industrial.
Water Stress
A situation arising when more freshwater is extracted than is available over a certain period, or when its use is restricted due to poor quality caused by pollution. Hydrologists measure water scarcity by considering the water/population ratio. Nature-Based Solutions, such as conserving and restoring aquatic ecosystems, reforesting watersheds, and implementing rainwater harvesting, storage, or regeneration techniques, are crucial for sustainably addressing water stress.
Waste Valorization
An activity aimed at reusing materials from discarded products, giving them a new life through reuse, thereby creating an appropriate recycling chain. There are mainly two types of valorization: energy valorization, through the incineration of waste to produce biogas, biomethane, or other fuels, as well as electricity; and solid material valorization, such as cardboard, plastic, glass, and organic waste.
Wind Energy
Energy produced by wind using wind turbines. Wind energy can be harnessed on land, onshore wind, or at sea, offshore wind.