Discovering ESG
A magnifying glass on concepts, definitions and terms in the sustainable universe..
Sustainability Keypoint: your magnifying glass on the sustainable universe.
An effective ESG approach comes from an understanding of the concepts, definitions, and ideas that characterize it.
Scroll over the words on this page and explore the notion that most intrigues you.
What it means
Agenda 2030
What the
Scope 1
Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions covered by scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
Protection and definition of the
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the set of living organisms belonging to different ecosystems.
Biodiversity includes flora, fauna, and microorganisms, along with the ecosystems in which they occur, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and other natural habitats.
Biodiversity is the set of living organisms belonging to different
ecosystems.
Biodiversity includes flora, fauna, and microorganisms, together with the
ecosystems in which they occur, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and other
natural habitats.
What is certification
Pdr125
PDR125 stands for Gender Equality Certification and is named after an Italian policy document, UNI/PdR 125:2022.
The purpose of the Certification is to initiate a path aimed at promoting equity and inclusion in the company, reducing the gender gap between male and female employees and ensuring equal career and training opportunities.
For a future
NetZero
The term “NetZero” refers to the balance between GHG emissions released into the atmosphere and those absorbed or offset, so that there is no net increase in GHGs in the atmosphere.
The goal is to mitigate climate change by minimizing the impact of human activities on the environment and the risks from this phenomenon.
What is the
Green Deal
The Green Deal is a set of strategic initiatives adopted by the European Commission to achieve climate neutrality in the EU zone by 2050; it includes within it projects such as the Fit for 55 program, an action plan for achieving climate neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What is meant by
CSRD
The CSRD, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, governs obligations for companies to measure and report on corporate sustainability and specifies the information companies are required to provide when communicating their environmental and social commitments, the sustainable strategies they have adopted, and the goals they are striving to achieve.
Let’s talk about
Circular Economy
The CSRD, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, governs obligations for companies to measure and report on corporate sustainability and specifies the information companies are required to provide when communicating their environmental and social commitments, the sustainable strategies they have adopted, and the goals they are striving to achieve.
What is meant by
Corporate Social
Responsibility
What is meant by
CBAM
Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility is a set of principles, methods and rules of good behavior that companies implement to integrate ESG factors within their daily operations.
Also contained in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, it translates into the development of strategies to create positive environmental and social impact both inside and outside the company.
Who are the
Stakeholders
A stakeholder is any individual, group or entity that has an interest in a company, organization or entity or is affected by its activities and decisions of.
Stakeholders include employees, customers, suppliers, investors, local communities, institutions, and all individuals who have a direct or indirect interest in the operations and success of the project.
What the
Scope 2
Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility is a set of principles, methods and rules of good conduct that companies implement to integrate ESG factors within their daily operations.
Also contained in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, it translates
into the development of strategies to create a positive environmental and social impact both inside and outside the company.
What are the
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
The methodology
LCA
What is meant by
Gases with
effect
greenhouse
To understand the
GRI stands for the Global Reporting Initiative, an international nonprofit body whose function is to set global standards for assessing the
sustainable performance of companies.
Many companies use the
GRI certification to certify that their
sustainable reporting tools comply with GRI standards.
Industrial digitization
Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility is a set of principles, methods and rules of good conduct that companies implement to integrate ESG factors within their daily operations.
Also contained in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, it translates
into the development of strategies to create a positive environmental and social impact both inside and outside the company.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
Let’s talk about
Analysis of
materiality
Materiality analysis is a process by which organizations identify and assess the issues and topics that are most relevant and significant to their business and stakeholders.
The issues identified are those that can significantly influence the organization’s ability to create value over time or that can have a substantial impact on the stakeholders themselves.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions covered by scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
The European system of the
Sustainable taxonomy
The EU Taxonomy is a classification system, developed by the European Commission, to classify environmentally sustainable economic and financial activities.
This tool is used to identify which activities can be considered consistent with sustainable development goals.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions covered by scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
The importance of the
Esg factors
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance and refers to three areas: environmental, social and governance.
Each of these pillars refers to a set of principles and criteria, such as environmental commitment, adherence to corporate values, and transparency.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions covered by scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
What is meant by
Industry 5.0
The EU Taxonomy is a classification system, developed by the European Commission, to classify environmentally sustainable economic and financial activities.
This tool is used to identify which activities can be considered consistent with sustainable development goals.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
Materiality analysis is a process by which organizations identify and
evaluate the issues and topics that are most relevant and significant to their business and
their stakeholders.
The issues identified are those that may significantly affect
the organization’s ability to create value over time or that
may have a substantial impact on the stakeholders themselves.
The study
Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint, or carbon footprint, is a way of measuring greenhouse gas emissions resulting directly or indirectly from an activity, organization or product.
It is expressed in units of weight of CO2 equivalent.
LCA, or Life Cycle Assessment, is a methodology used to assess the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its
entire life cycle.
The purpose of LCA analysis is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of an activity or product.
GRI stands for Global Reporting Initiative, an international nonprofit
body whose function is to define global standards for assessing the
sustainable performance of companies.
Many companies use the
GRI certification to attest that their
sustainable reporting tools comply with GRI standards.
The Entity and the Standards
ISO
The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a body responsible for the development of technical standards and norms, known as ISO standards.
Initially born with units of measurement, ISO standards currently number 22,000 and cover areas ranging from the environment to occupational safety.
The goals of the
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty with targets and principles relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
It was adopted in 1997 during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Kyoto.
The objective of the treaty is to limit and reduce the risks associated with global warming.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
What the
Scope 3
Scope 1 refers to direct GHG emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions covered by scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
What it means
Mitigation
of emissions
Mitigating emissions means reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants into the atmosphere in order to reduce the negative impact on the climate and the environment; examples of mitigation include: adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable mobility.
What is meant by
Climate-positive
Mitigating emissions means reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases or other
pollutants into the atmosphere in order to reduce the negative impact on the climate and
the environment; examples of mitigation include: adopting cleaner and
efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable
mobility.
The practices of
Greenhushing
Greenhushing is a practice whereby companies, fearful of incurring
greenwashing, voluntarily omit information and documentation related to the sustainable qualities of products, services and production cycles.
LCA, or Life Cycle Assessment, is a methodology used to assess the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its
entire life cycle.
The purpose of LCA analysis is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of an activity or product.
GRI stands for Global Reporting Initiative, an international nonprofit
body whose function is to define global standards for assessing the
sustainable performance of companies.
Many companies use the
GRI certification to attest that their
sustainable reporting tools comply with GRI standards.
The standards
CAM
The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a body responsible for the development of technical standards and norms, known as ISO standards.
Initially born with units of measurement, ISO standards currently number 22,000 and cover areas ranging from the environment to occupational safety.
Define ESG goals through the
Sustainability Report
Mitigating emissions means reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants into the atmosphere in order to reduce the negative impact on the climate and the environment; examples of mitigation include: adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable mobility.
Gi standard
ESRS
ESRS standards are standards inherent in corporate sustainability reporting and are issued by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), an independent advisory body appointed by the European Commission.
ESRS standards have a structure divided into generic and sector domains.
What is meant by
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy sources that respect the earth’s natural biochemical balance, as they do not deplete and their production and extraction does not pollute.
The main sources of renewable energy include: wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass, and hydropower.
What is meant by
GRI
Renewable energy is energy sources that respect the earth’s natural biochemical balance, as they do not deplete and their production and extraction does not pollute.
The main sources of renewable energy include: wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass, and hydropower.
What is meant by
Energy Management
Mitigating emissions means reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants into the atmosphere in order to reduce the negative impact on the climate and the environment; examples of mitigation include: adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable mobility.
Certify through the
Carbon credits
Carbon credits are tradable certificates that are equivalent to a number of tons of CO2 not emitted or absorbed as a result of projects to reduce the environmental impact of GHG emissions.
The sustainability of the projects is attested by independent external bodies.
What are the
Green bond
Green bonds, or green bonds, are financial instruments issued by entities
public or private to finance projects or activities that have a positive impact on the environment, climate and society.
What is meant by
Shareholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement, or stakeholder engagement, refers to the practice of actively involving stakeholders in an organization, project, or initiative.
The main purpose is to create positive and collaborative relationships with stakeholders in order to gain their support, manage risks, and maximize value for all parties involved.
What is meant by
Sustainable finance
Energy management refers to all those strategies to be adopted in the company aimed at measuring and monitoring consumption, with the goal of achieving energy savings.
This saving generates a positive environmental impact and allows companies to obtain tax benefits related to consumption savings and energy efficiency.
Carbon neutrality, or carbon neutrality, refers to achieving a balance between GHG emissions and carbon sinks.
Through the use of tools-such as sinks-it becomes possible to generate this balance.
In terms of climate goals, carbon neutrality is referred to as Netzero.
Pursuing a collective interest, through the
Benefit Society
Water footprint, or water footprint, is a measure of the amounts of freshwater consumed directly or indirectly by an activity, organization, product or individual throughout its life cycle.
The pipelines of
Greenwashing
The goal of the
Carbon
neutrality
Carbon neutrality, or carbon neutrality, refers to achieving a balance between GHG emissions and carbon sinks.
Through the use of tools-such as sinks-it becomes possible to generate this balance.
In terms of climate goals, carbon neutrality is referred to as Netzero.
The strategy of
Decarbonization
What is meant by
GRI
Renewable energy is energy sources that respect the earth’s natural biochemical balance, as they do not deplete and their production and extraction does not pollute.
The main sources of renewable energy include: wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, biomass, and hydropower.
What is meant by
Circular Economy
The circular economy is an economic model designed to reduce the use of natural resources, minimize waste and maximize the reuse, recycling and recovery of materials.
It is based on the concept of product “life cycle” and raw material independence, both of which focus on keeping materials in circulation as long as possible.
Decarbonization is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Decarbonization involves a series of actions to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
What is the
Water Footprint
What it means
What the
Scope 1 refers to.he direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources controlled by an organization or company, such as those from production facilities, company vehicles, and industrial processes operated internally by the company.
An example of emissions that fall under scope 1 are those from the use of fossil fuels.
Protection and definizine of the
Biodiversity is the set of living organisms belonging to different ecosystems. Biodiversity includes flora, fauna, and microorganisms, along with the ecosystems in which they occur, such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and other natural habitats.
What is certification
PDR125 stands for Gender Equality Certification and is named after an Italian policy document, UNI/PdR 125:2022. The purpose of the Certification is to initiate a path aimed at promoting equity and inclusion in the company, reducing the gender gap between male and female employees and ensuring equal career and training opportunities.
For a future
The term "NetZero" refers to the balance between GHG emissions released into the atmosphere and those absorbed or offset, so that there is no net increase in GHGs in the atmosphere. The goal is to mitigate climate change by minimizing the impact of human activities on the environment and the risks from this phenomenon.
What is the
The Green Deal is a set of strategic initiatives adopted by the European Commission to achieve climate neutrality in the EU zone by 2050; it includes within it projects such as the Fit for 55 program, an action plan for achieving climate neutrality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
What is meant by
The CSRD, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, governs obligations for companies to measure and report on corporate sustainability and specifies the information companies are required to provide when communicating their environmental and social commitments, the sustainable strategies they have adopted, and the goals they are striving to achieve.
Let’s talk about
The circular economy is an economic model designed to reduce the use of natural resources, minimize waste and maximize the reuse, recycling and recovery of materials. It is based on the concept of product "life cycle" and raw material independence, both of which focus on keeping materials in circulation as long as possible.
What is meant by
Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility is a set of principles, methods and rules of good behavior that companies implement to integrate ESG factors within their daily operations. Also contained in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, it translates into the development of strategies to create positive environmental and social impact both inside and outside the company.
What is meant by
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a mechanism designed as a tool to mitigate the risk of carbon divergencei.e., the possibility of companies shifting their production to countries with more lenient carbon-related environmental regulations.
In practice, companies importing these products into the EU will have to purchase emission certificates corresponding to the carbon embedded in their goods.
Who are the
For stakeholder means any individual, group or entity that has an interest in a company, organization or entity or is affected by its activities and decisions of. Stakeholders include employees, customers, suppliers, investors, local communities, institutions, and all individuals who have a direct or indirect interest in the operations and success of the project.
What the
Scope 2 refers to. to indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity purchased and consumed by an organization or business, produced by a third party.
An example of emissions that fall under scope 2 is emissions from electricity use in the office.
What are the goals
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the 18 goals set by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; they cover a wide range of global challenges, including poverty alleviation, education, health, gender equality, environment and peace.
The methodology
LCA, or Life Cycle Assessment, is a methodology used to assess the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle. The purpose of LCA analysis is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of an activity or product.
What are the
A greenhouse gas (GHG) is a gas in the Earth's atmosphere that is able to absorb and radiate heat energy from the Sun, thus contributing to the so-called "greenhouse effect," the excess of which is a major cause of global warming.
Among the most common greenhouse gases are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbon, perfluorocarbon and carbon sulfide gases.
To understand the
GRI stands for the Global Reporting Initiative, an international nonprofit body whose function is to set global standards for assessing the
sustainable performance of companies.
Many companies use the
GRI certification to certify that their
sustainable reporting tools comply with GRI standards.
Industrial digitization refers to the transformation of industrial processes through the adoption and integration of advanced digital technologies. This includes the use of smart sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, and other tools that optimize manufacturing operations, improving overall efficiency and avoiding wasted energy and risors
Let’s talk about
Materiality analysis is a process by which organizations identify and assess the issues and topics that are most relevant and significant to their business and stakeholders. The issues identified are those that can significantly influence the organization's ability to create value over time or that can have a substantial impact on the stakeholders themselves.
The European system of the
The EU Taxonomy is a classification system, developed by the European Commission, to classify environmentally sustainable economic and financial activities. This tool is used to identify which activities can be considered consistent with sustainable development goals.
The importance of the
ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance and refers to three areas: environmental, social and governance. Each of these pillars refers to a set of principles and criteria, such as environmental commitment, adherence to corporate values, and transparency.
What is meant by
Industry 5.0 represents an approach to understanding industrial processes that integrates advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced robotics to the human component.
The National Transition 5.0 Plan is the fiscal support measure for companies that make investment choices for Industry 5.0 and is the government's response to technological changes affecting businesses.
The study
Carbon footprint, or carbon footprint, is a way of measuring greenhouse gas emissions resulting directly or indirectly from an activity, organization or product. It is expressed in units of weight of CO2 equivalent.
The Entity and the Standards
The International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a body responsible for the development of
standards and technical norms, the so-called ISO standards.
Initially born with units of measurement, ISO standards currently number 22,000 and cover areas ranging from the environment to occupational safety.
The goals of the
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty with targets and principles relating to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted in 1997 during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Kyoto. The objective of the treaty is to limit and reduce the risks associated with global warming.
What the
The scope 3 refers to indirect GHG emissions generated by activities not directly controlled by an organization, but which are related or linkable to its operations; they can arise from a variety of sources, such as suppliers, transportation, use of products sold, and other aspects of the company's value chain.
An example of emissions that fall under scope 3 is the emissions and environmental impact of business travel.
What it means
Mitigating emissions means reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases or other
pollutants into the atmosphere in order to reduce the negative impact on the climate and the environment; examples of mitigation include: adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable mobility.
What is meant by
The term "climate positive" encompasses all strategies for absorbing GHG emissions in the atmosphere and reducing those related to the conduct of production activities. Strategies that are not limited to achieving carbon neutrality, but aim to generate a positive impact on the environment and society.
The practices of
Greenhousing is a practice whereby companies, fearful of incurring
greenwashing, voluntarily omit information and documentation related
to the sustainable qualities of products, services and production cycles.
The standards
Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) represent the ecological standards set for different stages of the purchasing process and are used to identify the best design solution, product or service in environmental terms throughout the life cycle of products or services.
Their application incentivizes companies to invest in sustainable best practices in response to government needs.
Pursuing ESG goals through the
A sustainability report is a document for reporting, measuring and evaluating a company's sustainable strategies and commitment that organizations prepare to communicate to stakeholders, suppliers, partners and end users the initiatives taken in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability.
The standards
ESRS standards are standards inherent in corporate sustainability reporting and are issued by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), an independent advisory body appointed by the European Commission. ESRS standards have a structure divided into generic and sector domains.
What is meant by
Renewable energies are energy sources that respect the earth's natural biochemical balance, as they do not deplete and their production and extraction do not pollute.
The main sources of renewable energy include: wind power, solar power, geothermal power, biomass, and hydropower.
The standards
GRI stands for Global Reporting Initiative, an international nonprofit that is responsible for setting global standards for assessing the sustainable performance of companies. Many companies use GRI certification to attest that their sustainable reporting tools comply with GRI standards.
What is meant by
Energy management refers to all those strategies to be adopted in the company aimed at measuring and monitoring consumption, with the goal of achieving energy savings. This saving generates a positive environmental impact and allows companies to obtain tax benefits related to consumption savings and energy efficiency.
Certify through the
Carbon credits are tradable certificates that are equivalent to a
number of tons of CO2 not emitted or absorbed as a result of projects to reduce the environmental impact of GHG emissions.
The sustainability of the projects is attested by independent external entities.
What are the
Green bonds, or green bonds, are financial instruments issued by public or private
entities to finance projects or activities that have a positive impact
on the environment, climate and society.
What is meant by
Stakeholder engagement, or stakeholder engagement, refers to the practice of actively involving stakeholders in an organization, project, or initiative. The main purpose is to create positive and collaborative relationships with stakeholders in order to gain their support, manage risks, and maximize value for all parties involved.
What is meant by
Sustainable finance is a type of ESG-oriented approach to finance, within which investment decisions and capital are directed toward supporting environmentally sustainable projects.
Pursuing a collective interest, through the
The Benefit Society (SB) is a legal form of business that differs from traditional corporate forms because it pursues both economic objectives and common benefit purposes. All companies can become benefit corporations, with the exception of nonprofit organizations.
The pipelines of
Greenwashing is a practice through which a company, organization, or institution presents itself as more environmentally friendly or sustainable than it actually is, in order to enhance its public image or gain economic advantage without making significant changes in its practices or policies, sometimes even through generic and misleading claims about the "green" qualities of products or services.
The goal of the
Carbon neutrality, or carbon neutrality, refers to achieving a balance between GHG emissions and carbon sinks. Through the use of tools-such as sinks-it becomes possible to generate this balance. In terms of climate goals, carbon neutrality is referred to as Netzero.
The stratrgy of
Decarbonization is the process of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
Decarbonization involves a series of actions to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
What is the
Water footprint, or water footprint, is a measure of the amounts of freshwater
consumed directly or indirectly by an activity, organization, product or individual throughout its life cycle.
