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Abiotic depletion
Abiotic resource depletion is the decrease of availability of the total reserve of potential functions of resource, consumption of non-renewable resources.
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Atmospheric adification
An environmental indicator characterizing the increase in the quantity of acid substances in the lower atmosphere, from NOx, SOx and HCl emissions in particular, producing "acid rains". Expressed in g SO2 eq.
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Biodegradation (Biodegradability)
Degradation caused by biological activity, especially by enzymatic action leading to a significant change of the chemical structure of a material (CEN/EN: 13139:2000). Biodegradability is the potential of the material to be biodegraded.
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Biomass
Material of biological origin excluding material embedded in geological formations or transformed to fossilized material. (CEN/TR 14980:2004)
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Blue water footprint of a product
The volume of surface or groundwater evaporated or amount of water used, summed over the various steps of the production chain.
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Carbon footprint
In relation to a product a 'carbon footprint' is defined as: The sum of all greenhouse gas emissions occurring at each stage of the product life cycle and within the speficied system boundaries of the product. Including all emissions that are released as part of all processes involved in obtaining, creating, modifying, transporting, storing, use and and of life disposal of the product.
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Certified raw material
Raw material whose origin is covered by the chain of custody declarations.
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Chain of custody of forest based products
All the changes of custodianship of forest based products, the products thereof, during the harvesting, transportation, processing and distribution chain from the forest to the end-use.
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CO2-equivalent
Expression for the global warming potential of each greenhouse gas. CO2 = 1, Methane = 23, Nitrous oxide = 296.
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Compost (compostability)
Organic soil conditioner obtained by biodegradation of a mixture principally consisting of various vegetable residues, occasionally with other organic material having a limited mineral content (CEN/EN 13139:2000)
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Controversial sources
Illegal or unauthorized harvesting.
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Critical review
Process intended to ensure consistency between a life cycle assessment and the principles and requirements of the International Standards on life cycle assessment.
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Eutrophication of water
Eutrophication which leads to proliferation of algae and asphyxiation of the aquatic environment is characterized by the introduction of nutrients, for example in the form of nitrogen and phosphate compounds. Eutrophication is expressed in g phosphate eq.
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Global warming potential (GWP)
The global warming potential of a gas is its relative potential contribution to climate change over a 100 year preiod, where CO2 = 1. Source IPCC (2001). Expressed as CO2 equivalent.
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Green
Meets the criteria for minimized environmental impacts over the life cycle.
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Green water footprint of a product
Includes all upstream water (e.g. forestry) including the volume of rainwater evaporated, summed over the various steps of the production chain.
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Greenhouse gases (GHG)
Gases, most particularly carbon dioxide and methane, whose gradual accumulation in the atmosphere contributes to raising the Earth's temperature over time.
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Grey water footprint of a product
The volume of polluted water, with all emissions to it, summed over the various steps of the production chain.
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Life cycle
Consecutive and interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material acquisition or generation from natural resources to final disposal.
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Life cycle assessment, LCA
Compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle.
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Life cycle impact assessment, LCIA
Phase of life cycle assessment aimed at understanding and evaluating the magnitude and significance of the potential environmental impacts for a product system throughout the life cycle of the product.
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Life cycle inventory analysis, LCI
Phase of life cycle assessment involving the compilation and quantification of inputs and outputs for a product throughout its life cycle.
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Ozone layer depletion
Emissions to air that can harm the ozone layer.
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Photochemical oxidant creation
Emissions to air that can cause smog. A succession of reactions involving volatile organic compounds and NOx leads to the formation of ozone, a superoxidizing compound. The potential of creating photochemical oxidants is expressed in g ethylene eq.
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Renewable
ISO work on definition still in progress, but the following has been proposed: In relation to the provision of materials used as a resource, excluding energy, renewable materials shall meet all of the following requirements: a) Be composed fo biomass, which can be continually regenerated within a finite timeframe. b) Are replenished at a rate that is equal to or greater than the rate of depletion. c) From sources that are managed in accordance with the principles fo sustainable development, and d) Where a verifiable traceability system is in place.
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Sustainable
Meets the criteria for minimized environmental impacts over the life cycle combined with positive social and economic impacts.
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Sustainable development
"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need. This involves addressing economic, social and environmental factors and their interdependence in an organization's decision-making and activities." (Brundtland Commission, 1987)
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Sustainable foresty management
"The stewardship and use of forests and forest land in a way and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and global levels and does not cause damage to other ecosystems." (Source: MCPFE, Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe)
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Water footprint of a product
The volume of fresh water used to produce the product, summed over the various steps of the production chain. Includes a temporal and spatial dimension.
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