Glossary: D-H (19 terms)

ECO-EFFICIENCY

The state of creating more goods and services using fewer resources, and generating less waste and pollution.

ECO-LABELLING

An “eco-label” identifies a product as having less impact on the environment, because it meets a series of ecological conditions based on life cycle considerations.

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Variable or measurement relating to the impact of an organisation on the economic circumstances of its stakeholders, as well as on local, national and global economic systems.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Non-salary benefits that compensate a company’s employees.

ENVIRONMENT

The whole complex medium in which an organisation operates, including the atmosphere, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, human beings and their interactions.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Any change in environmental conditions, for better or worse, ascribable wholly or in part to an organisation’s activities, products and services.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

Element of an organisation's activities, products or services that may interact with the environment. A material environmental aspect is one that has or may have significant environmental impact.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Set of processes and systems to minimise an organisation’s environmental impact in the pursuit of its activity.

EUROPEAN ALLIANCE FOR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR):

Umbrella organisation set up by the European Commission with the aim of engaging all interested European enterprises in contributing to promoting and recognising CSR through specific initiatives.

EUROPEAN FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT (EFQM) EXCELLENCE MODEL

Self-assessment model that provides a working framework for embedding criteria of excellence in an organisation’s management. The model evaluates both the results obtained and the systems and/or processes used to achieve them.

EXCLUSIONARY OR NEGATIVE SCREENING

Criteria applied to certain business activities (certain products or services) which are “per se” considered as non-responsible, such as alcoholic beverages, firearms, tobacco, etc.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Advice, guidance and information dispensed by financial institutions to their customers to help them develop their financial knowledge.

FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENT INDICATORS:

GRI indicators specific to the financial sector. A new version of the supplement came out in 2008, combining social and environmental indicators in a single block.

FINANCING

Attainment by a person, company or public body of the funds or resources needed to meet the monetary cost of a budget, project or economic activity.

GEOGRAPHICAL ACCESSIBILITY

Elimination of geographical barriers so products and services reach all people regardless of where they live.

GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE (GRI)

International project whose mission is to prepare and disseminate Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. These are voluntary guidelines for use by organisations wishing to report on the economic, social and economic dimensions of their activities.

GOOD PRACTICES

Projects or experiences that stand as an example or benchmark for their positive impact in CSR-related areas.

GREENHOUSE GASES

Greenhouse gases include CO2, CH4, NOx, O3, HFCs, PFCs and SF6. The main instrument for their control is the Kyoto Protocol.

HUMAN RIGHTS

The basic freedoms, rights and values to which every person is entitled as a human being to ensure their right to live in dignity.