Sustainable Development glossary

A

Ademe

Agence De l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie, France (Agency for the Environment and Energy Control, France).

Alternative energy

Energy sources from natural or industrial origin (biogas, flare gas, etc.

AquaFed

International association of private water operators.

Areas of ecological interest

Sectors characterized by the presence of species or remarkable environments forming part of the national, regional or worldwide natural heritage.

B

Bioaerosols

Micro-organisms are present everywhere in the environment, and are called bioaerosols when they are in suspension in air.

Biodiversity

Refers to the variety and variability of living organisms and ecosystems. Biological diversity is studied at three levels (genetic, specific or ecosystemic).

Bioenergy

Energy produced mainly from biomass and used in the form of fuel, heat or fuel.

Biofuel

Liquid or gaseous product designed for use in the engine of a vehicle, containing products derived from vegetable or animal crops.

Biogas

Gas resulting from the biological degradation process of organic materials with an oxygen deficit, containing a large percentage of methane and with a high calorific and energy potential.

Biomass

Vegetable and organic animal waste.

Biomethanisation

See methanisation.

Biomimetism or biomimicry

Consist in reproducing artificially essential properties of one or several biological systems. It finalized products and processes as they are used by Nature as model.
The objective can be:

  • to exploit the mechanisms present in the nature with direct applications in various technological domains. The term bionics is usually used in this case
  • to facilitate scientific research on nature by reproducing in laboratory conditions the behavior. Such research are generally connected to the biophysics
  • to be inspired by the ecosystems' organization or more generally by the functioning of animals to better integrate human organization and technologies.

BOT (Build Operate Transfert)

Type of contract in PPP in which the private operator is responsible for construction and operation of a project that it will be required to retrocede to the public authority at the end of the contract.

Business Units

(EMS definition)

An organizational and geographical entity forming a management and consolidation level within the Division.

Byproduct energy

Energy unavoidably produced from a natural or industrial source or calorific energy that is lost when not recovered: biogas, flare gas, etc

C

Circular saving

Saving that maintains a balance between the economic development and preservation of resources (according to the United Nations program for the environment).

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

A Kyoto mechanism encouraging environmental projects in developing countries. The entity that finances the project earns emission credits.

CNG

Compressed Natural Gas used as a vehicle fuel.

Cogeneration

Process that consists of simultaneously producing thermal energy and electrical energy from a single fuel.

Composting

Biological process used to treat organic waste (green waste, fermentable fraction of municipal waste, sludge from urban treatment plants, etc.), by degrading them in an accelerated manner.

Concession

Operating contract for a public service contract between a public authority and an operator (concession company). The concession company is responsible for operation, renewal and maintenance of the facilities, and for invoicing. It also finances necessary investments (unlike service concession (affermage) contracts.
The operator's remuneration is derived from users of the service.

D

Delegated Management

Delegated management is a method for operating public services or services of general interest, for which public authorities are responsible and serving local residents who pay a service charge directly to the delegated service provider. The delegated service provider is responsible for operating the service and making certain investments as needed. These VE-operated services are household and nonhazardous waste collection, treatment and disposal, water distribution, sanitation and wastewater treatment, production and distribution of energy (heating and sanitary hot water) as well as public transport.

Diester and Aquazole

Biofuels.

District heating and cooling networks

A network made up of a central production unit and a network of pipes. It makes it possible to supply public and private institutions (schools, hospitals, offices and housing units) with heat, hot water and air conditioning.

DNA (Designated National Authority)

Entity (often forming part of the Ministry of the Environment) of the government of a CDM project host country made responsible for approval of such projects within its national area.

Domestic project

Project to reduce emissions set up in France, so as to encourage reductions of CO2 emissions in diffuse emission sectors (transport, buildings, agriculture).