NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)

A non-profit group or organization that is run neither by business or government created to realize particular social or economic pursuits, through research, activism, training, promotion, advocacy, lobbying, or community service.  Read More

Neoclassical Economics

Most of modern economic theory is based on this set of assumptions and mathematical models of markets. Neoclassical economic theory believes that markets are the best mechanisms for solving problems and are most effective when left alone without government or corporate interference. While this may be true, it is only so when markets and economies build-in realistic ground rules often missing in most implementations. These include, full-life-cycle... Read More

Negawatt

The saving of a megawatt of power by reducing consumption or increasing efficiency.  Read More

Natural Step™

A trademarked, science-based framework to help organizations and communities understand and become more sustainable. It is also an international organization that provides consulting and education services around this framework. More information: www.naturalstep.com  Read More

Natural Capital

One of at least four forms of capital used by people, organizations, corporations, and governments, to build and maintain their livelihoods. Natural Capital includes all forms of resources from the environment, including minerals, water, air, sunlight, heat, plants, animals, and other organic matter. Sustainable organizations seek to maximize their effectiveness and efficiency in using natural capital as well as practice policies that sustain the... Read More

Multiple Stakeholders

Traditionally, stakeholders in a company have been thought to be limited to stockholders and, possibly, employees. However, stakeholders have come to refer to all people for whom a company or its products and services have an impact, including, customers, governments, organizations, and the environment. Sustainable management requires that these stakeholders’ needs be addressed in the development and deployment of products and services.  Read More

Muda

A Japanese word for waste especially through poorly organized systems. Organizations seeking economic, manufacturing, and human efficiency seek to design and/or replace systems to eliminate muda.  Read More

Monstrous Hybrid

A term coined by Michael Braungart and William McDonough for a product, component, or material that combines both technical and organic nutrients (such as recyclable paper and poly-vinyl-chloride) in a way that cannot be easily separated, thereby rendering it unable to be recycled or reused be either system. Most monstrous hybrids can only be thrown out and contribute to the waste stream and cannot be reused.  Read More

MIPS (Material Input Per Service Unit) Method

In assessing product life cycle impacts, the total material input of a product system (development though manufacturing through delivery) is measured per these units. More information: www.wupperinst.org/Sites/home1.html  Read More

Methodology

Commonly mistaken for the term process or practices, methodology is actually the study of processes, practices, or procedures.  Read More