Definitions
Additionality
Emissions reductions are additional if they occurred because of funding through
carbon credits and would not have occurred otherwise
Afforestation
Establishing a forest on land that is not a forest, or has not been a forest for
a long time by planting trees or their seeds.
Alternative Energy
Renewable sources of power not derived from burning hydrocarbons, which emit
less (or no) greenhouse gas. "Old renewables" include nuclear and less (or
no) greenhouse gas. "Old renewables" include nuclear and hydroelectric
power, "new renewables" include solar and wind power
AMMP Rating
The AMMP Rating is "Average Miles Per Pound" which is replacing MPG or miles per
gallon as the most effective measurement metrics in today’s mixed fleet
environment. It is calculated by dividing the miles a vehicle
travels in a period by the pounds of carbon emitted in the process of driving
those miles. The "pounds of carbon dioxide emitted" are
calculated by multiplying the units of fuel consumed times the emission rate for
the particular type of fuel consumed.
For gasoline, the rate is 19.2 pounds of Carbon Dioxide emitted for each gallon
of gasoline consumed.
APPSF Base Rating
The APPS Base Rating is “Average Per Pound Square Foot” is calculated by the
dividing the total pounds of carbon emitted by a property, (prior to purchasing
any carbon offsets) by the total square footage of the property or portfolio of
properties.
APPSF Net Rating
The APPS Net Rating is “Average Per Pound Square Foot” is calculated by the
dividing the total pounds of carbon emitted by a property after subtracting
pounds of carbon offsets purchased, by the total square footage of the property
or portfolio of properties.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
A colorless, odorless gas produced by animal respiration, the decay of plant or
animal remains and the burning of fossil fuels. Of the six principal
greenhouse gases, CO2 is the one most directly affected by human activity
Carbon Footprint
The amount of CO2 created by all activities within a given sphere, a person's
daily life, a city, a manufacturing process, etc.
Carbon Neutral
The means for individuals and corporations to neutralize their GHG emissions by
set standards and offsets through carbon credits
Certificate of Emissions Reductions
A certificate reflecting the reduction or avoidance of one ton of CO2e
Emissions
The release of substances, such as greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere.
Emissions caps are legal limits on how much greenhouse gas a business, city or
nation can emit.
GHG
Greenhouse gas, the primary gases (both naturally existing and man made) that
contribute to global warming by trapping more energy in the earth’s atmosphere
than would occur in their absence. Greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto
Protocol are: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O),
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), Hydro fluorocarbons (HFC’s), and Pefluorocarbons
(PFC’s)
Gold Standard
An offset standard based on the Kyoto Protocols clean development mechanism and
developed by several international non-profit organizations. This standard
certification is for renewable energy efficiency projects
GreenTraks
A GreenTrak is the opposite of a Carbon Footprint. It is a
Carbon Footprint that has been Tracked, Offset, and Reduced.
Kyoto Protocol
An internationally binding agreement that falls under the more general United
Nations Framework Convention and Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Protocol
sets GHG targets for countries that sign and ratify the agreement. Even
though the United States has not ratified the agreement, the United States is
responsible for 25% of the world's hydrocarbon emissions and has a voluntary
program. States and municipalities are putting legislation in effect to
meet the Kyoto Protocol guidelines
LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
The main route to certifying a green building. This includes new building
construction and major renovation projects. LEED certified buildings enjoy
government incentives, marketing benefits, increased property values and lower
utility/energy costs.
MWh
1 Megawatt = 1000 KW or 1,000,000 watts. One megawatt is enough electrical
energy to power 1000 average homes.
Pounds of Carbon Dioxide Emitted
The pounds of carbon dioxide emitted are calculated by multiplying the unit
quantity of energy consumed (by type) times the applicable rate for your area.
For example: 1 Gallon of Gasoline when burned emits 19.2
pounds of Carbon Dioxide.
RAMPP Rating
The RAMMP Rating is the "Recorded Average Miles Per Pound" for a fleet is
calculated by dividing the miles a fleet travels in a period by the total pounds
of carbon emitted by the fleet in the process of driving those miles.
Reforestation
Restoring and recreating areas of woodlands or forest that once existed but were
deforested or otherwise removed or destroyed in the past.
Renewable Energy Certificate
A certificate that represents the environmental attributes of 1 MWh of
electricity from a renewable energy source
Sinks
A natural reservoir that withdraws and traps a pollutant. Soil and plants
act as carbon sinks, for instance
White Tag
A certificate equivalent to 1 MWh of energy savings