Glossary
Climate Action at Western
5-Year Carbon Transition Plan. Following first assessment of Western’s carbon footprint in late 2022, consultants were engaged to assist in the development of a high-level Carbon Transition Plan, identifying key strategies for emission Scopes 1,2 and 3, estimating cost of carbon reduction strategies based upon industry benchmarks, and preliminary project management planning for implementing emission strategies.
Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement. In NSW, a legal agreement that secures areas of biodiversity significance as part of a Biodiversity Offset Scheme. Developers impacting on ecological communities must purchase tradeable credits held by landholders, who derive income from their stewardship and ongoing management requirements.
Carbon Engineering. An analytical approach applied by the consultants who developed a high-level 5-Year Carbon Transition Plan. Carbon engineering can thus be thought of as an ‘end to end’ assessment of carbon emissions as a basic unit of organisational behaviour, from the estimated GHG Scopes and total footprint, emission reduction strategies, and resultant outcomes in terms of organisational decarbonisation.
Carbon Neutral (Net Zero). A process to estimate carbon emissions, and offset these through the purchase of carbon credits to achieve a ‘net zero’ carbon footprint. Offsetting is intended as a transitional arrangement alongside decarbonisation strategies to actively reduce organisational carbon emissions.
Circular Economy. Recovery of materials so traditional wastes become resources, avoiding linear use and disposal with circular materials reuse, and potentially higher value uses, e.g., urban wastewater recycled for water resources.
Climate Active Program. An Australian Government program that supports organisations to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions, through voluntary certification.
Climate Positive. A target beyond carbon-neutral/net-zero for organisational climate action, whereby more greenhouse gases are absorbed by organisational initiatives than emitted.
Decarbonisation. A process to mitigate climate change risks through reducing organisational carbon emissions, largely by transitioning to renewably sourced energy and low carbon products and services.
Downstream Value Chain Emissions. A large proportion of carbon footprint comprises emissions associated with the organisations ‘value chain’ (Scope 3). A large proportion is commonly associated with ‘upstream’ supply chains of goods and services. ‘Downstream’ emissions relate to the transport and transfer of materials, products or services to customers or beneficiaries.
Heuristic. A ‘rule of thumb’ or mental shortcut to aid decision making.
Living Labs. Collaborative learning, research, engagement and design, based upon consideration of the social-ecological context of issues faced. In this case, with a focus on utilising campus assets (environmental and infrastructure) as teaching and learning resources.
Nature Positive. Restoring and regenerating ecosystems impacted by organisational operations and supply chains, building upon a baseline and metrics of nature-based assets and enhancing positive impacts on nature.
Scope 1,2 and 3. International Greenhouse Gas Protocols categorise emissions as Scope 1 – direct emissions such as fuels), Scope 2 – indirect emissions from electricity supply, and Scope 3 -indirect value chain relationships. Scope 3 emissions include supply chains, employee commuting and travel (upstream) and transportation and distribution of goods (downstream).
Urban Heat. Higher temperatures in urban areas than surrounding rural or bushland areas due to built materials with low reflectivity and dark colour absorbing and re-emitting heat. Often referred to as urban heat island effect.
Is this for real? Urban platypus in Western Sydney’s waterways
Environmental DNA (eDNA). DNA that is collected from the environment. Such as DNA that is present in soil, air or water.
Leaning into difference to respond to catastrophic bushfires
Country is a word Indigenous people use in Australia to describe their traditional homelands, although it has a much broader meaning than territory. Country is an ethic for living, connecting people with places through multi-layered, multi-species and sentient kinship relations according to Indigenous peoples’ laws, beliefs and expert knowledge (Graham 2009; Tynan 2020).
Indigenous peoples. This term identifies Indigenous peoples as political-legal entities with societies and territories. As peoples, they have self-determination rights to practice their laws and customs.
Redrawing the Circular Economy: Organic Waste and Peri-Urban Futures
Diverse economies is a subfield of human geography that examines the wide range of economic practices, relationships, and systems beyond mainstream capitalist markets, emphasizing non-capitalist, alternative, and informal economic activities. It explores how communities sustain livelihoods through diverse forms of exchange, labour, and resource allocation, challenging traditional economic narratives and highlighting the multiplicity of economic possibilities.
Organic waste refers to biodegradable material derived from plants or animals, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and agricultural residues, which can serve as a valuable input for regenerative farming by being composted or converted into nutrient-rich soil amendments. However, when disposed of in landfills, organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas—and contributing to environmental pollution, highlighting the importance of diverting it toward sustainable practices like composting or soil regeneration.
Regenerative farming is an agricultural approach focused on restoring and enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience through practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and holistic grazing. It aims to sequester carbon, improve water cycles, and create sustainable food systems while addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
Workforce issues in the disability sector
Australia’s Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A national agency for regulating the practice of health professionals in Australia to ensure they are suitably qualified and safe to practice.
Disability Sector. A collective term referring to professionals and organisations that provide supports and services to people living with disability.
Disability Workforce. Professionals employed in any capacity within the disability sector.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). A nationally run program administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) which provides reasonable and necessary support and funding for people with disabilities in order to participate in the community and achieve their goals.
Peer Worker. A worker in the disability sector who has lived experience of disability and brings this perspective to their role.