Glossary on European climate and environmental policy

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An environmental tax that charges for CO2 emissions. For example, the EU could charge €50 per ton of CO2 emitted.

Any state that is not part of a treaty or community. In the case of the EU: any state that is not a member of the EU.

The emission of particles or substances into the environment. When CO2 molecules are emitted into the environment it is the so called CO2 emission.

Instrument of EU climate policy. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while minimizing economic damage. A certain number of certificates, which allow a certain amount of CO2 emissions, are made available by the EU. Companies can sell certificates if they emit less CO2 than permitted and have to buy additional certificates if they emit more.

Realization of a sustainable energy supply with renewable energies. Speaking of long term effects, renewable energies are to replace fossil fuels and nuclear energy. The energy turnaround is necessary because energy generation with fossil fuels in particular releases a great deal of CO2, which causes an increase of temperature and a changing climate. Using nuclear power as a generator for energy is comparatively low in CO2 emissions but it comes with great risk to human health and life.

Dead biomass that died millions of years ago and is now stored in the earth in the form of coal, petroleum, natural gas and various mixed products stored in the earth. It releases energy and CO2 when burned.

Policy area of the European Union that aims for a consistent agricultural standard among the members of the EU. CAP includes subsidies for EU farmers to sell their products at lower prices. It also includes requirements for sustainable agriculture.

Money disbursed by the EU for a specific purpose. The purpose is to maintain social justice during the energy and transport transition. Areas that rely heavily on climate-damaging technologies (such as burning lignite for energy production) receive financial support. This will enable them to become climate neutral.

Law of the European Union regarding the climate and environmental protection.

Term used in business to describe the use of capital (usually money) for a specific purpose (e.g. projects). In this case, the financier would be the investor in a project.

Actions, processes and products are climate-neutral if they do not increase the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. If the same amount of CO2 is removed from the atmosphere (e.g. by trees) as is added to it, then, despite the CO2 emissions, climate neutrality can be achieved.

Ecological, political and social crisis triggered by human-made climate change.

It can be declared by a government or parliament in a climate crisis. It signals that the measures taken so far are not sufficient to deal with the crisis. It is a call to introduce further measures to protect the climate.

Economic model in which as little waste as possible is produced. It tries to prevent waste by long product life, reuse, repair, recycling or incineration for energy generation.

Monoculture: Agricultural or forestry area on which only one crop is grown.
Disadvantages: Susceptible to soil erosion and pests, monoculture is not a natural habitat for wildlife.
Mixed Forest: Forestry area where different tree species occur.

Recycling: The decomposition of a product into a raw material from which a new product can be made.
Upcycling: The reuse of a product by upgrading its old function. (Example: sewing a new bag from old jeans).

Not only does recycling take greater effort than upcycling, it also needs more energy.

Payment of money from public cash registers to businesses or companies as an economic policy intervention in the free market. This promotes certain market participants, which can distort competition.

Engine that generates energy by burning a substance. Predominantly diesel or gasoline is used as fuel. They release CO2 during combustion. Hydrogen engines are also combustion engines, although they do not emit CO2 and are therefore climate-neutral.

Economic term that describes that a company/country/region (EU) can sell its goods and services and make a profit. If the company/country/region can no longer generate profits, it is no longer competitive.