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This glossary explains common terms and concepts you’ll encounter when using GREENZERO Journey and working with environmental footprinting. Understanding these terms will help you navigate the platform more effectively and better interpret your results.

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Core Concepts

A structured methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life cycle, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, and end-of-life. In simple terms: A way to measure all environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life, from creation to disposal.
A measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e). PCF is one specific environmental impact category within a broader LCA. In simple terms: How much a product contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.
A comprehensive list of all materials, components, and quantities required to manufacture a product. In environmental footprinting, the BOM serves as the foundation for calculating environmental impacts. In simple terms: A detailed inventory of everything that goes into making your product.
Specific types of environmental effects that are measured in an LCA, such as climate change, acidification, or water use. Each category represents a different way that products can affect the environment. In simple terms: Different ways to measure how a product affects the environment.
The limits that define which processes are included in an LCA study. Common system boundaries include cradle-to-gate (from resource extraction to factory gate) or cradle-to-grave (from resource extraction to disposal). In simple terms: The starting and ending points for your environmental analysis.
A quantified description of the product system’s performance, used as a reference unit in an LCA. For example, “one pair of shoes with a lifetime of two years.” In simple terms: The standard unit you’re measuring, which allows fair comparisons between products.

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Environmental Impact Measurements

A metric measure used to compare emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential, using carbon dioxide as a reference. In simple terms: A way to express all greenhouse gases in a common unit based on their climate impact.
A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to carbon dioxide over a specific time period, typically 100 years. In simple terms: How strongly a gas contributes to climate change compared to carbon dioxide.
The monetized value of environmental damages, calculated by multiplying environmental impacts by cost factors (such as CE Delft factors in GREENZERO Journey). In simple terms: Environmental impacts expressed in monetary terms to make them more comparable and understandable.
Conversion factors that translate emissions or resource use into their potential environmental impacts. For example, methane has a characterization factor of 28 for global warming potential, meaning it’s 28 times more potent than CO₂. In simple terms: Multipliers that convert raw data into environmental impact scores.

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Product Life Cycle Stages

The process of obtaining raw materials from nature, such as mining minerals, harvesting trees, or extracting oil. In simple terms: Getting natural resources from the environment.
Converting raw materials into forms that can be used in manufacturing, such as turning iron ore into steel or crude oil into plastic. In simple terms: Refining raw materials into usable materials.
The process of making products from materials and components, including assembly, finishing, and packaging. In simple terms: Making the final product from processed materials.
The transportation and storage of products from the manufacturer to retailers and end users. In simple terms: Getting the product from the factory to the customer.
The period during which the consumer uses the product, including any resources consumed (e.g., electricity, water) and maintenance. In simple terms: How the product is used by customers and what resources it needs.
What happens to the product after its useful life, including disposal, recycling, incineration, or composting. In simple terms: What happens to the product when it’s no longer used.

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GREENZERO Journey Specific Terms

A comprehensive set of data about how a specific material affects the environment throughout its life cycle. In technical LCA terminology, this is called “Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)” data. In simple terms: A detailed “environmental ID card” for each material in your product.
A material, component, or process that contributes significantly to the environmental impact of a product, identified as a priority area for improvement. In simple terms: The parts of your product with the biggest environmental impact.
A set of monetization factors developed by CE Delft that convert environmental impacts into financial costs, representing the societal cost of environmental damages. In simple terms: Conversion rates that translate environmental impacts into euros.
Data collected directly from specific processes or suppliers in your supply chain, as opposed to industry averages or estimates. In simple terms: Real, specific data from your actual production processes or suppliers.
Generic data from databases, literature, or industry averages used when primary data is not available. In simple terms: Standard industry data used when you don’t have specific information.

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Environmental Impact Categories in GREENZERO Journey

Measures the amount of heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. Measured in: kg CO₂ equivalent Example source: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, certain industrial processes Learn more about Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Measures emissions that increase the acidity of soil and water when converted to acids in the atmosphere. Measured in: kg SO₂ equivalent Example source: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels Learn more about Acidification (AP)
Measures excess nutrients in freshwater ecosystems that cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Measured in: kg P equivalent Example source: Phosphorus from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater Learn more about Freshwater Eutrophication (FEP)
Measures excess nutrients in marine ecosystems that cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Measured in: kg N equivalent Example source: Nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers and wastewater Learn more about Marine Eutrophication (MEP)
Measures emissions that react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone and smog. Measured in: kg NOx equivalent Example source: Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, solvents Learn more about Photochemical Ozone Creation (POCP)
Measures substances that destroy the Earth’s protective ozone layer. Measured in: kg CFC-11 equivalent Example source: Certain refrigerants, aerosol propellants, and solvents Learn more about Ozone Depletion (ODP)
Measures the volume of freshwater consumed throughout the product life cycle. Measured in: m³ (cubic meters) Example source: Agricultural irrigation, manufacturing processes, product use Learn more about Water Use (WU)
Measures the amount of land transformed or occupied for a product’s life cycle. Measured in: m² yr (square meter years) Example source: Agriculture, forestry, mining, urban development Learn more about Land Use (LU)
This glossary is intended as a starting point for beginners. As you become more familiar with environmental footprinting, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of these concepts and how they apply to your specific products and industry.
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