Permaculture

Permaculture is an ecological design system that employs an integrated systems approach to developing ecological human habitats, food production systems, and other material and non-material needs.  Read More

Non-profit and Not-for-profit

Two types of organizations that are not expected or allowed to make a profit, though many still generate revenues from activities. In return for not earning profits, these organizations are regulated differently and are tax-exempt. Non-profit organizations cannot distribute revenue to an individual or for-profit company. Any “earnings” gained in the pursuit of its goals are to be returned to the organization and used for these purposes.... Read More

Liquidity

The ability to quickly buy or sell a particular security, investment, or asset in a short period of time (under one year) without causing a significant movement in its price. The essential characteristic of a liquid market is that there are ready and willing buyers and sellers at all times. Sustainable businesses operate in ways that reduce waste and maximize economic, social, and environmental efficiency. However, the need for liquid investments... Read More

Keystone Species

A species so critical to an ecosystem that its removal could potentially destroy the entire system. A good example of this are Blue Jays, which plant acorns that give rise to oak forests. Without Blue Jays, oak forests are not naturally replenished and without the forests, all other species in the ecosystem cannot survive. It is important to consider keystone species when making any decisions that could affect the natural environment. A small impact... Read More

IPO (Initial Public Offering)

A first sale of equity in a company to public investors. IPOs are governed the Securities Act of 1933, SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) regulation, and differing state laws. An IPO is one way to raise money for further investment or expansion, the other being the issuing of debt in the form of bonds. A company can issue more equity at a later date but it only has one IPO.  Read More

Integrated Bottom Line

A process, described by Theo Ferguson, for integrating financial, environmental, and social costs and benefits into a unified measure of business activity. Conventional objectives of profitability, competitive advantage, efficiency, and economic growth are judged successful by their compatibility with biodiversity, ecological sustainability, equity, community support, and maximized well-being for a variety of stakeholders. An Integrated bottom line... Read More

Industrial Estates

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, “a large tract of land, subdivided and developed for the use of several companies in close proximity to use simultaneously, with a shared infrastructure.” Other terms for these include, industrial parks, industrial zones, export processing zones, business parks, industrial development zones, and eco-industrial parks. All industrial estates share two common characteristics: co-location of firms... Read More

Incentive-based Rehabilitative Economics

A set of economic policies that give carbon credits, financial grants or subsidies, expertise, or other types of aid as an incentive to rehabilitate and protect, in perpetuity, habitats that have been destroyed by human activity (for example, rainforests burnt to raise cattle). Example: In 1968, UNESCO and the government of India funded the development of Auroville, a wasteland at the time. Today, it is a green, lush, and thriving community.  Read More

Holistic Management

A term originally used to describe an approach to managing land resources that builds biodiversity, improves production, generates financial strength, and improves the quality of life for those who use it. Holistic Management addresses the farm, family, and community as an integrated whole, instead of as separate parts. Coined by Allan Savory, a biologist in Zimbabwe, the method can be applied to organizations, businesses, communities, or individuals... Read More

GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)

A multi-stakeholder process and independent institution whose mission is to develop and disseminate globally applicable Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The guidelines were developed so that companies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations can report on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products and services. Started in 1997 by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES)... Read More