Carbon Acronyms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
AAS Audit and Advisory Services Carbon Planet Carbon Planet's specialist audit and advisory team which is led by PhD qualified engineers - see web link for more information.   http://www.carbonplanet.com/measure_manage_minimise
AAU Assigned Amount Units Kyoto Protocol Targets for limiting or reducing emissions, set out by Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Parties)  for the period 2008-2012.
ABARE Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics General (Aust term) Australian government economic research agency for independent research and analysis, focusing on agricultural, fishing, forestry, energy and minerals industries and the quality of the Australian environment - see web link for more information.   http://www.abare.gov.au/
ABRI Australian Battery Recycling Initiative General (Aust term) (initiative of CESA)
AC Alternating Current, sometimes defined as Air Conditioning Energy Audit If defined as Alternating Current: An electric current with cyclically changing polarity. It is the most common form of electricity delivered to many commercial and most residential zones. Characterised by a sine function.
ACCC Australian Competition and Consumer Commission General (Aust term) An independent Australian statutory authority, formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 and other legislative acts. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth's competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws - see web link for more information. http://www.accc.gov.au/
ACF Australian Conservation Foundation General (Aust term) One of Australia's national not-for-profit environmental organisation funded almost entirely by individual membership and donations. ACF has played a key role in increasing protection for some of Australia's most outstanding natural assets including the Franklin River, Kakadu, the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef - see web link for more information. http://www.acfonline.org.au/
ACX Australian Climate Exchange Carbon Commerce Australia's first carbon trading exchange where businesses can buy emissions commodities. ACX's electronic emissions trading platform is supported by a robust registry and product listing, providing transparency by tracking an offset from its generation & verification through to its transfer & eventual retirement - see web link for more information. http://www.climateexchange.com.au/
AEEMA Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association General (Aust term) Now the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). Former URL: http://www.aeema.asn.au/. See Ai Group.
AFOLU Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Carbon Commerce  
AIE Accredited Independent Entities Carbon Commerce Independent third-party companies responsible for validating project documentation and verifying project performance under the JI mechanism. They are the equivalent of the DOEs under the CDM.
Ai Group Australian Industry Group General (Aust term) The industry organisation representing employees from manufacturing, construction, automotive, telecommunications, call centres, transport, etc. http://www.aigroup.asn.au/
AIRAH Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating Energy Audit Specialist membership association for air conditioning, refrigeration, heating and ventilation professionals. Formed in 1920 and recognised by government and industry bodies for its expertise across a wide range of issues in the area of engineering services for the built environment - see web link for more information. http://www.airah.org.au/
AR4 Assessment Report 4 - IPCC 4th assessment report, published Nov 2007  General The most recent report published by the IPCC - see the term IPCC or web link for more information.  http://www.ipcc.ch/
ARR Agriculture, Reforestation and Revegetation Carbon Commerce The increasing of carbon stocks by increasing and, or restoring vegetative cover through planting, sowing and, or human-assisted natural regeneration of woody vegetation.
ALM Agricultural Land Management Carbon Commerce The increasing of carbon stocks in soils and biomass through improved management of (a) cropland, (b) grassland, and, or (c) cropland and grassland landuse conversions.
ANZSES Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society General (Aust term) A not-for-profit organisation governed by a committee elected by its members. The society has a branch in every Australian State and Territory and has an affiliate organisation (Solar Action) in New Zealand - see weblink for more information. http://www.anzses.org/
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air conditioning Engineers Energy Audit Formed by the merger of two societies: American Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers (ASHVE, renamed after 1954 to American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHAE) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE). The merger occurred in 1959 - see web link for more information. http://www.ashrae.org/
AWS Audits Web System Carbon Planet Former internal working name for Carbon Planet's GHG online data entry system integrated calculator. See G3MS - see web link for more information. http://www.gemmms.com
AWT Alternative Waste Technology Utilities - Waste (Aust term)  

B

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
BMS Building Management System Energy Audit A control system that is installed within a building as a "mother controller" to monitor mechanical and electrical systems thereby regulating conditions such as (but not limited to) temperature and power loads. Fire, security and lighting systems may be integrated into the "mother controller" for more efficient management of a building.
BAU Business-As-Usual Abatement Carbon Commerce Abatement which occurs in the normal course of business, including actioned response to government regulations.  It occurs in the absence of an explicit additional driver or incentive. For example, a decision to undertake commercially viable energy efficiency measures or to close an unprofitable facility may reduce a firm's emissions but these actions would have occurred within a normal business operating framework.
BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand Utilities - Wastewater  

C

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity General An international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The treaty focuses on conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of bio-components and fair & equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
CC Carbon Credits Carbon Commerce http://www.carbonplanet.com/shop/purchase_carbon_credits
CP Carbon Planet Carbon Planet http://www.carbonplanet.com/
CCAR California Climate Action Registry General http://www.climateregistry.org/
CCBA Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance General Consortium of companies, NGOs and research institutes seeking to promote integrated solutions to land management around the world, using (developed) voluntary standards to help design and identify land management projects that simultaneously minimise climate change, support sustainable development and conserve biodiversity - see weblink for more information. http://www.climate-standards.org/
CCX Chicago Climate Exchange General http://www.chicagoclimatex.com/
CDM Clean Development Mechanism Kyoto Protocol A mechanism established by Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol for project-based emission reduction activities in developing countries. CDM projects can only occur in underdeveloped (non Annex 1) countries - see web link for more information. UNFCCC Clean Developement Mechanism
CEM Continuous Emission Monitoring General  
CER Certified Emission Reduction (units) Carbon Commerce The name of the carbon credits that are generated from a CDM project, issued by the Executive Board as directed by the project participants - see web link for more information. UNFCCC Clean Developement Mechanism
CESA Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association General (Aust term) http://www.cesa.asn.au/
CFL Compact Fluorescent Lamp Energy Audit  
CRAC Computer Room Air Conditioner Energy Audit  
CRAH Computer Room Air Handler Energy Audit The evaporator section of the air conditioning system, typically located indoors and its primary purpose is to circulate the conditioned air.
CSD Commission on Sustainable Development General http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_csd16.shtml
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand Utilities - Wastewater  
COP Conference of the Parties General  
CRT Cathode Ray Tube Energy Audit  

D

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
DC Direct Current Energy Audit An electric current with unidirectional flow (or electric charge). Some large commercial zones utilise DC power instead of the commonly used AC power.
DCC Department of Climate Change (Australian Government) General (Aust term) http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/
DCiE Data Centre infrastructure Efficiency Energy Audit  
DSA Demand Side Abatement NGAC (Type of CC) http://www.greenhousegas.nsw.gov.au/documents/syn64.asp
DNA Designated National Authority General The official body representing the Government which takes part in the arrangement of CDM/JI projects. For JI host countries, the DNA approves the projects and issues the emission reduction units.
DOE Designated Operational Entity General An independent body accredited by the CDM Executive Board that either validates a project proposal and recommends it for registration to the CDM Executive Board (automatically valid after 8 weeks if no request for review has been initiated), or verifies the monitoring data and recommends to the Executive Board the amount of carbon credits that should be issued (issuance will be considered as executed 15 days after the request has been made unless a review has been initiated).
DX Direct Expansion Energy A unitary system where the evaporator is in direct contact with air, resulting in the cooling coil of the airside loop functioning also as the evaporator of the refrigeration loop. The term "direct" refers to the position of the evaporator with respect to the airside loop. The term "expansion" refers to the method used to introduce the refrigerant into the cooling coil. The liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion device (usually a valve) just before entering the cooling coil (the evaporator). This expansion device reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant to the point where it is colder than the air passing through the coil.

E

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
E-10 10% ethanol blend with gasoline (varying up to E-100 that is used in Brazil) General http://www.ethanol.org/index.php?id=34&parentid=8
EB Executive Board General Used widely in CDM or UNFCCC documents to describe a board of decision-makers.
ECI Environmental Condition Indicator General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
EEO Energy Efficiency Opportunities General (Aust term) http://www.energyefficiencyopportunities.gov.au/An Australian government initiative to assist organisations that consume large quantities of energy improve their energy efficiencies.
EF Emission Factor General A multiplier value that determines GHG emissions for an activity when multiplied to raw data (e.g. financial data, electricity data in kilowatt hours).
EMS Environmental Management System General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
EPA Environmental Protection Agency General  
EPE Environmental Performance Evaluation General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
EPER European Pollutant Emission Register General http://eper.ec.europa.eu/
EPI Environmental Performance Indicator General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
ERU Emission Reduction Unit General UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism
ERPA Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement Carbon Commerce A legally binding document signed between the Seller and Buyer of carbon credits, at an arranged price for a specified volume over a period of time. The document provides the purchaser with all rights, title and interests in and to all or a part of the emission reductions or removals generated by a specified project.
ETS Emissions Trading Scheme (prefix "A" - Australian, etc.) Carbon Commerce http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/emissionstrading/index.html
EUA European Union Allowance Carbon Commerce Carbon currency units of the European Union ETS, equal to one tonne of CO2e. Valid only within the EU ETS unless there is a linkage with other countries' ETS. More information available from Article 25 of the Emissions Trading Directive.

F

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
FTC Fuel Tax Credit General (Aust term) http://www.ato.gov.au/businesses/content.asp?doc=/Content/76594.htm
FTE Full-Time Equivalent Employee Services  
FY Financial Year / Fiscal Year General  

G

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
GCX Global Carbon Exchange Carbon Commerce http://www.gcx.com.au/
G3MS Greenhouse Emissions Measure Manage Minimise Suite Carbon Planet Pronounced as "GEMS". Carbon Planet's fully interactive greenhouse emissions management and reporting tool - see web link for more information. http://www.g3ms.net/
GEDO Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer General (Aust term) http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ The Officer (located in Canberra) responsible for regulating and enforcing the NGER Act for reporting of GHG emissions and energy use.
GF Greenhouse Friendly General (Aust term)  
GGAS Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme Carbon Commerce (Aust term) http://www.ggas-registry.nsw.gov.au/
GHG Greenhouse Gas General  
GRID Global Resource Information Database General http://www.grid.unep.ch/
GS-VER Gold Standard Voluntary Emissions Reduction Carbon Commerce http://goldstandard.apx.com/
GU-10 2-pin fitting base for standard 240V halogen (10 mm pin spacing) Energy Audit  
GW Global Warming General  
GWP Global Warming Potential General  

H

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
HID High Intensity Discharge (e.g. Hg vapor, high pressure Na lamps, etc.) Energy Audit  
HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Energy Audit A climate control system in the building environment. Especially important in the design of medium to large industrial and office buildings such as skyscrapers and also in environments where humidity and temperature factors must be closely regulated (e.g. aquariums).

I

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
IEA International Energy Agency Energy Audit http://www.iea.org/
IETA International Emissions Trading Association Carbon Commerce http://www.ieta.org/
ICCP International Climate Change Partnership General http://www.iccp.net/
ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives General http://www.iclei.org/
IFM Improved Forest Management Carbon Commerce The increasing of carbon sequestration through (a) conversion of conventional logging to reduced impact logging, (b) conversion of logged regions to protected forests, (c) extending the rotation age of evenly aged managed forests, and or, (d) conversion of low-productive to high-productive forests.
IPART Independent Pricing And Regulatory Tribunal General (Aust term) http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/welcome.asp
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change General Scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the UNEP to provide scientific technical and socio-economic information in a policy-relevant but policy neutral way to decision makers. The IPCC comprise of the Panel, three Working Groups and the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories - see web link for more information. http://www.ipcc.ch/
IRC Infra-Red Coating (more efficient type of halogen lamp) Energy Audit An infra-red coated halogen lamp encompassing an arc tube with a tungsten filament coil within and an infra-red reflective coating formed on an outer surface of the arc tube.
ISIC International Standard Industrial Classification (of all economic activities) General http://unstats.un.org/unsd/cr/family2.asp?Cl=27
ISO International Standards Organisation General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm

J

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
JI Joint Implementation General One of the project based mechanisms governed by the Kyoto Protocol through which a developed (Annex 1) country can receive "emissions reduction units" when it helps to finance projects that reduce net GHG emissions within its own or another developed country (in practice, the recipient state is likely to be a country with an "economy in transition"). An Annex 1 Participant must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in joint implementation - see web link for more information.  UNFCCC Joint Implementation

K

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
KPI Key Performance Indicator General Financial and non-financial metrics used to help an organisation define and measure progress toward the organisation's goals.

L

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
LCA Life Cycle Assessment (or Analysis) General  
LCD Liquid Crystal Display Energy Audit An electronic display device that operates by applying a varying electric voltage to a layer of liquid crystal, thereby inducing changes in its optical properties.
LCI Life Cycle Inventory General  
LED Light Emitting Diode Energy Audit A semiconductor diode that emits light when an electrical current is applied in the forward direction of the device.
LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas Utilities - Gas  
LNG Liquefied Natural Gas Utilities - Gas  
LUCF Land Use Change and Forestry General  
LULUCF Land Use, Land Use Change and Foresty General  

M

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
MBT Mechanical Biological Treatment Utilities - Waste  
MEPS Minimum Energy Performance Standard General (Aust term) A mandatory program in Australia collectively legislated by State Governments and regulations enforcing relevant Australian Standards. The Regulations specify the minimum requirements for appliances and list the offenses and penalties if a party does not comply with the requirements - see weblink for more information. http://www.energyrating.gov.au/meps1.html
MIPS Material Intensity Per Service General The overall material input moved or extracted by humans to manufacture a product or provide a service. 
MPI Management Performance Indicator General http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm
MR-8 Multifaceted Reflector halogen with 8/8" diameter (1") Energy Audit  
MR-11 Multifaceted Reflector halogen with 11/8" diameter (1.375") Energy Audit  
MR-16 Multifaceted Reflector halogen with 16/8" diameter (2") Energy Audit  
MRET Mandatory Renewable Energy Target General (Aust term)  
MSB Multiple Switch Board Energy Audit  
MSW Municipal Solid Waste General A term used generally for household (domestic) waste, but sometimes collectively used to include commercial waste collected by a municipal within a given area.

N

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
NEMMCO National Electricity Market Management Company General (Aust term)   http://www.nemmco.com.au/
NETS National Emissions Trading Scheme General (Aust term) 
NETT National Emissions Trading Taskforce General (Aust term) 
NGER National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting General (Aust term) http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/national-greenhouse-energy-reporting.aspx
NGERS National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System General (Aust term) http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/national-greenhouse-energy-reporting.aspx
NGA National Greenhouse Account General  
NGAC New South Wales Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificate Carbon Commerce  
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation General  
NIR National Inventory Report General  

O

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
OPI Operational Performance Indicator General  
OSCAR Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting General (Aust term) http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/initiatives/oscar.aspx
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development General http://www.oecd.org/

P

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
PC Personal Computer Energy Audit  
PDD Project Description Document Carbon Commerce Some times used only as PD to denote Project Description.
PDU Power Distribution Unit Energy Audit  
PET PolyEthylene Terephthalate General  (most common form of recyclable plastic bottles)
PFC Power Factor Correction Energy Audit The process of adjusting the characteristics of electric loads in order to increase PFC value closer to unity. May be applied either by an electrical power transmission utility to improve the stability and efficiency of the transmission network or, may be installed by individual customers to reduce the costs charged to them by their electricity supplier. A high PFC value is generally desirable to reduce transmission losses and improve voltage regulation at the load.
PSA Product Stewardship Australia General (Aust term) (URL temporarily unaccessible)
PSU Power Supply Unit Energy Audit A device or system that supplies electrical or other types of energy to an output load or group of loads.
PV Photo Voltaic (solar panels) General A renewable technology relating to research and the application of solar cells for energy by converting sunlight directly into electricity.

R

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
REC Renewable Energy Credit / Certificate General (Aust term)  
REDD Reducing/Reduced Emissions from Deforestation & Degradation Carbon Commerce Managing forestry activities that result in increasing carbon stocks in biomass (or reducing GHG emissions) by reducing the rate or preventing the conversion of forests to non-forest lands, and or, by reducing the degradation of forest land where forest biomass is lost.
RIS Regulation Impact Statement General (Aust term) http://www.auasb.gov.au/
RMU Removal Unit General  

S

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
SCCF Special Climate Change Fund General http://unfccc.int/3657.php/
SLIP Street Lighting Improvement Program General (Aust term) (NSW Government initiative together with Next Energy)
SME Small and Medium Enterprise General  
SSN SouthSouthNorth Carbon Commerce http://www.southsouthnorth.org/

T

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
T5 Tubular fluorescent with 5/8" diameter Energy Audit  
T8 Tubular fluorescent with 8/8" diameter (1") Energy Audit  
T12 Tubular fluorescent with 12/8" diameter (1.5") Energy Audit  
T&D Transmission and Distribution General  
TCER Temporary Certified Emission Reduction (units) Carbon Commerce Issued under CDM projects relating to afforestation or reforestation project activity. These units have a contract expiry date after one commitment period of five years and are not transferable into future commitment periods.
TEC Total Environmental Centre General (Aust term) http://www.tec.org.au/
TPA Trade Practices Act General (Aust term) http://www.comlaw.gov.au/

U

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
UNEP United Nations Environmental Program General http://www.unep.org/
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change General An international treaty comprising several countries, formed to consider what can be done to reduce global warming. The treaty recently embraces the Kyoto Protocol as the Protocol has more powerful and legally binding measures. The UNFCCC website also acts as a depository for GHG Inventory Reports for participating countries - see web link for more information. http://unfccc.int/
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply Energy Audit A separate continuous power supply or an independent battery backup device which maintains a continuous flow of electric power to connected equipment even when utility power is not available.

V

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
VCM Voluntary Carbon Market Carbon Commerce  
VCS Voluntary Carbon Standard Carbon Commerce A global standard and program for approval of credible voluntary offsets, established by the WBCSD, IETA and Climate Group. VCS offsets must be real (have happened), additional (beyond BAU activities), measurable, permanent (not temporarily displace emissions), independently verified and unique (not used more than once to offset emissions). Importantly, VCS has no financial additionality requirement, unlike the CDM or JI mechanisms - see web link for more information. http://www.v-c-s.org/
VCS PD Voluntary Carbon Standard Project Description Carbon Commerce Document describing the reduction of GHG emissions or the associated removal activity for a VCS project.
VCU Voluntary Carbon Unit Carbon Commerce One tonne of CO2 equivalent GHG emission reduction or removal issued by the VCS Program and held in a VCS Program Registry - see web link for more information. http://www.v-c-s.org/
VERs Verified Emission Reductions Carbon Commerce A unit of GHG emission reductions that has been verified by an independent auditor - but has not yet undergone the procedures or met the requirements for verification, certification and issuance of CERs (in the case of the CDM) or ERUs (in the case of JI) under the Kyoto Protocol. Buyers of VERs assume all carbon-specific policy and regulatory risks (i.e. the risk that the VERs are not ultimately registered as CERs or ERUs). Buyers therefore tend to pay a discounted price for VERs, which takes the inherent regulatory risks into account.
VERPA Voluntary Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement    
VERSA Voluntary Emission Reduction Sales Agreement    
VFD Variable Frequency Drive Energy Audit Also known as VSD.
VOC Volatile Organic Compound General http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
VSD Variable Speed Drive (also known as VFD) Energy Audit A system for controlling the rotational speed of an AC electric motor by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor.

W

Acronym Definition Sector where this acronym is used Reference Website Link - Originator* of Acronym, Description
WBCSD World Business Council for Sustainable Development General http://www.wbcsd.org/
WCC World Climate Conference General  (diminishing use as IPCC and UNFCCC Meetings supersede this)
WHO World Health Organisation General http://www.who.int/en/
WRI World Resource Institute General http://www.wri.org/
WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development General http://www.un.org/events/wssd/
WWF World-Wide Fund for Nature International Carbon Commerce Formerly called World Wildlife Fund. WWF is the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisation. http://www.panda.org./faq/response.cfm?hdnQuestionId=3620012246264
80 PLUS® Specification requiring computer power supplies to be > 80% efficient under certain range of conditions Energy Audit See weblink for more information. http://www.80plus.org/