ACCPE: Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment

A non-statutory Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body whose role is to advise on the development and co-ordination of policies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the production and consumption of goods and services, and the priority areas for research and future action in these policy areas.

Bag for Life

A reusable strong plastic carrier bag, launched in June 1999, to encourage Sainsbury’s customers to reduce carrier bag use and thereby the use of non-renewable oil-based resources. When their Bag for Life is worn out customers can return it to the store and receive a free replacement.

BiE: Business in the Environment

Set up in 1989 to promote the key role of sustainable development as a strategic, competitive issue for business. Business in the Environment is a business-led campaign for environmental responsibility, which operates under the auspices of Business in the Community (BitC).
Tel: 0870 600 2482
Website: www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/programme_directory/business_in_the_environment/

Bio-diesel

Automotive fuel manufactured primarily from oil seed rape, blended with diesel to reduce emissions.

Biodiversity

The variability among living organisms from all sources, i.e. terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Buy Recycled

A logo and campaign, launched by the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) in 1998 to close the recycling loop by increasing consumer awareness of, and demand for, products containing recycled material.
Tel: 01730 234279 Website: www.buy-recycled.co.uk

CCLA - Climate Change Levy Agreement

Agreement to reduce emissions of Climate Change gases (e.g. CO₂) through energy use, in exchange for a Climate Change Levy (energy tax) reduction.

CFC: Chlorofluorocarbons

A class of chemical compounds commonly used as solvents, aerosols and refrigerants. The gases are chemically inert but on entry to the upper atmosphere can decompose and attack (deplete) the Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. Damage to the ozone layer lets more ultra violet rays through to reach the planet's surface, leading to an increase in skin cancers in animals and humans, and damage to vegetation.

CHP - Combined Heat and Power

CHP is the commonly used abbreviation for a Combined Heat and Power installation. The basic concept of CHP is that an ‘engine’ is used to burn the primary fuel (most commonly natural gas), which in turn is used to drive an electrical alternator. The energy from the ‘engine’ jacket cooling and/or exhaust gases are recovered for heating purposes elsewhere on the site and the alternator is used to generate electricity for use on the site. Local generation of electricity avoids transmission losses through the national grid, thus increasing efficiency in fuel use.

City Diesel

A low sulphur diesel fuel sold at Sainsbury’s, developed to produce fewer pollutant emissions. City Petrol is a low sulphur petrol also sold at Sainsbury’s.

Clean Air Cool Planet

An action-oriented alliance operating in the North-Eastern USA. It seeks to reduce the threat of global warming by engaging all sectors of civil society to take actions leading to real cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Website: www.cleanair-coolplanet.org

CNG – Compressed Natural Gas

CNG is a combination of methane, propane and butane, which can be used to power vehicles. The use of CNG can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 93%, Nitrogen Oxide emissions by about 33% and Hydrocarbons by about 50%.

Considerate Constructor Scheme

The Considerate Constructor Scheme was launched by The Construction Industry Board in 1997. It provides a Code of Considerate Practice, a procedure for monitoring sites and a scoring system, based on consideration, environment, cleanliness, neighbourliness, respect, safety, responsibility and accountability. Certificates for successful compliance have been awarded annually since 1998.

CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility

“Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community and society at large” – from The World Business Council for Sustainable Development publication “Making Good Business Sense”.

DEFRA - Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tel: 020 7238 6000 Helpline: 08459 335577 Website: www.defra.gov.uk

DETR - Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions

Government department responsible for environmental action until the formation of DEFRA.

Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index

A global index to benchmark the performance of investments in sustainable companies and funds.
Tel: +41 1 395 2828 Website: www.sustainability-index.com

EMAS - Eco-Management and Audit Scheme

A European voluntary scheme for individual industrial sites introduced in April 1995. The scheme is established in both European and UK law. It is designed to provide recognition for those companies, which have established a programme of positive action to protect the environment, and who seek to continuously improve their performance in this respect.
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/index_en.htm

EMS: Environmental Management System

A systematic approach to managing and reducing an organisation’s environmental impacts through a process of continuous improvement. This approach requires inventories of releases to the environment; inventories of legislative and regulatory requirements; assessment of environmental effects; target and objective setting for improvements; management plans; audits; verification and training.
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/

Envirowise

A Government programme offering free, independent advice to businesses on practical ways to minimise waste and convert turnover into profit.
Tel: 0800 585794 Website: www.envirowise.gov.uk

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency (US)

Tel: 00 1 (202) 260-2090 Website: www.epa.gov

EUREP GAP: The European Retailer Produce Working Group

Representing leading European food retailers, EUREP is a technical working party aimed at promoting and encouraging best agricultural practice in the fruit and vegetable industry. Its GAP Protocol sets out a framework for Good Agricultural Practice on Farms and is a means of incorporating Integrated Crop Management practices within the framework of commercial agricultural production. EUREP has a commitment to independent verification to ensure consumer confidence in fresh produce is maintained.
Tel: 00 49 221 57993 25 Website: www.eurep.org

FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

FAO is one of the largest specialised agencies in the United Nations system. It has a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations. Website: www.fao.org

FareShare

Part of the national charity Crisis, FareShare was developed in 1994 to redistribute surplus fresh food to homeless people under strict health and safety standards. FareShare collects food that is past its sell-by date yet before its use-by date and delivers it to day centres and hostels for homeless people, giving them access to a healthier, more nutritious diet. FareShare currently operates in eight towns and cities across the UK with more opening shortly. The network contributes to over 20,000 meals per week.
Tel: 020 7403 8588 Website: www.fareshare.org.uk

Farm BAP: Farm Biodiversity Action Plan

A new approach to conservation for the whole farm. It embraces the needs of endangered and more common species in the context of overall habitat conservation and restoration. It enables the farmer to encourage and protect target species and habitats through managing and enhancing existing farm habitats, creating new features and making adjustments to everyday farming operations. Recommendations made are achievable within the farm's commercial objectives.
Tel: 024 7669 6699 Website: www.fwag.org.uk

FSC: Forest Stewardship Council

An alliance of environmentalists, industry, foresters, and indigenous peoples groups who defined general principals of good forest management. The trademark of the FSC indicates that the wood has been independently certified as coming from well-managed forests.
Tel: 01686 413916 Website: www.fsc-uk.demon.co.uk

FTSE4Good

FTSE4Good is an index series for socially responsible investment designed by FTSE, one of the world’s leading global index providers. FTSE4Good is a series of benchmark and tradable indices facilitating investment companies with good records of corporate social responsibility.
Website: www.ftse4good.com

Genetically Modified Organisms

Products or ingredients obtained from plants with artificially interchanged DNA sections, either from individuals of the same species or from different species.

Green Alliance

A cross-sectoral organisation, whose mission is to promote sustainable development by ensuring that the environment is at the heart of decision making. It works with senior people in government, parliament, business and the environmental movement to encourage new ideas, dialogue and constructive solutions.
Tel: 020 7233 7433 Website: www.green-alliance.org.uk

Green Claims Code

This code sets out the standard of information that consumers can expect to be given about the environmental impacts of consumer products. It enables them to make informed choices about the products they buy and how they use and dispose of them. A claim is information appearing on a product, its packaging, or in related literature or advertising material, which can be taken as saying something about its environmental impacts. It can take the form of text, symbols or graphics. The Government first launched the code in 1998, following wide consultation with business, consumer and environmental organisations. It was subsequently updated to take account of the new international standard on environmental claims, ISO 14021, which has been developed by standards bodies around the world.
Tel: 020 7944 3000 Website: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gcc/index.htm

Halons

Inert gases that are used primarily for fire extinguishing in IT installations. Ozone damage potential relative to CFC's is three to 10 times greater.

HBoS plc

HBoS is the holding company for the HBoS Group, formed by the merger of Halifax Bank and Bank of Scotland.
Website: www.hbosplc.com

HCFC: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

Used as a replacement for CFC's in refrigeration. Ozone depleting potential is 10 to 50 times less than CFC's. Recognised as having a potential global warming effect.

HFC: Hydrofluorocarbons

A non-ozone-depleting chemical used as a CFC replacement. Recognised as having a potential global warming effect.

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (systems)

ICM: Integrated Crop Management

The use of biological and natural methods for the selective control of pests and diseases. In addition, ICM employs forecasting and monitoring techniques, crop rotation, disease and pest resistant varieties and staff training to minimise the use of pesticides. Pesticides are used only when necessary and are treated against specific pests or diseases with localised treatments where possible.

IFOAM: International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements

IFOAM represents the worldwide movement of organic agriculture and provides a platform for global exchange and cooperation. It is committed to a holistic approach in the development of organic farming systems including maintenance of a sustainable environment and respect for the need of humanity. By the expertise of its members IFOAM opens the way for implementation of above aims in everyday life. The federation's main function is coordinating the network of the organic movement around the world. IFOAM is a democratic federation and grassroot oriented.
Tel: 00 49 6853 919890 Website: www.ifoam.org

ISO14000

A portfolio of standardised testing and analytical methods to deal with specific environmental issues, developed by the International Organisation of Standardisation.
Tel: +41 22 749 01 11 Website: www.iso.ch

The Journal

Sainsbury’s Supermarkets in-house magazine, published for colleagues ten times each year.

MSC: Marine Stewardship Council

An independent, global, non-profit organisation, which has developed an environmental standard for sustainable well-managed fisheries, following a two year consultation process. It uses a product label to reward environmentally responsible fishing practices, which are measured against the MSC standard by third party, independent certification companies.
Tel: 020 7350 4000 Website: www.msc.org

MATT: Monitoring and Targeting at Trend

MATT is an on-line practical energy monitoring and targeting tool installed in Sainsbury’s stores which produces next-day reports on any abnormalities in energy use (consumption, time and money) and communicates these to store management via e-mail. This allows them to rectify the fault quickly thus avoiding unnecessary energy use.

National Society for Clean Air

An organisation whose aim is to promote clean air and environmental protection through the reduction of air, water and land pollution, noise and other contaminants, while having regard for all aspects of the environment. The Society examines environmental policy issues and aims to place them in the broader social and economic context.
Tel: 01273 878770 Website: www.nsca.org.uk

Organic food

Organic food is produced to clearly defined agricultural standards and in compliance with legislation. The official principles of organic production encompass: working with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them; the encouragement of biological cycles involving micro-organisms; soil flora and fauna, plants and animals; careful attention to animal welfare considerations; the avoidance of pollution; consideration for the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system.
Tel: 0117 929 0661 Website: www.soilassociation.org
Tel: 01743 440512 Website: www.organicfarmers.uk.com
Tel: 01492 642628 Website: www.ics-intl.com

OSPAR: Oslo-Paris Convention

The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic ('OSPAR Convention'). The OSPAR Convention entered into force on 25 March 1998 with 15 states plus the EU as signatories. The Commission is implementing a strategy to progressively move towards a target of ceasing discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances by the year 2020.

Raising the Standard

‘Raising the Standard’ is a guide issued by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets to its own-brand suppliers, designed to help suppliers improve their environmental performance, to be aware of the issues, to encourage them to meet legislation and to share examples of existing best practice from other suppliers.

Second Harvest

Second Harvest is America’s largest domestic hunger relief organisation. Through a network of over 200 food banks and food-rescue programmes it provides emergency food assistance to more than 23 million Americans each year, eight million of whom are children.
Website: www.secondharvest.org

SEQUOIA

An independently owned index of fast-moving consumer goods packaging weights and material types, that used standard factors to convert turnover into estimated materials usage and packaging weights.

SERM: Safety & Environmental Risk Management Rating Agency Ltd

UK-based agency which quantifies companies' safety, environmental and social risks as a financial rating of sustainability risk and thereby enhances shareholder value and cost effectively leverages continuous business improvement.
Tel: 020 7960 4738 Website: www.serm.co.uk

Signature Brand

A new range of premium own-brand products from Shaw’s Supermarkets, first introduced in June 2001. The range, which now has over 300 products of superior quality, ranges from imported Italian pasta to breads, coffee, cranberry juice and maple syrup.

SMART-e

Store Monitoring, Analysis, Reporting and Troubleshooting for Energy is a commercial system employed by Shaw’s for energy sub-metering and monitoring.

SME

Small and medium-sized enterprises having fewer than 250 employees and either an annual turnover less than €50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million. (European Commission recommendation June 2002 to amend existing definition).

SSSI: Site of Special Scientific Interest

SSSIs are the best examples of our natural heritage of wildlife habitats, geological features and landforms. An SSSI is an area that has been notified as being of special interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Powers to strengthen the protection of these areas are included in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act which became law in 2000.

Sustainable Development

Development, which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

TNS: The Natural Step

The Natural Step is an international organisation with a vision of a socially and ecologically sustainable society. It aims to develop a planning methodology known as The Natural Step Framework, support its implementation in organisations and provide a forum for dialogue.
Tel: 01242 262834 Website: www.naturalstep.org

VOC: Volatile Organic Compound

Organic compounds, which evaporate readily and contribute to air pollution directly or through chemical or photochemical reactions to produce secondary air pollutants, e.g. ozone.

Wild Harvest

Wild Harvest is a range of products from Shaw’s, made to high standards of taste, quality and health, yet which contains no artificial preservatives, colourings, nor flavourings; no hydrogenated, tropical or cottonseed oils; no artificial sweeteners; nor phosphates; nor chlorine.