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Glossary of Terms

Biodiesel: Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine significantly reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter when compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates, which are major components of acid rain, are essentially eliminated. 

Brownfields: A brownfield is a property with the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The EPA estimates that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the country. 

Diesel Oxidation Catalysts: A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is a device that uses a chemical process to break down pollutants in the exhaust stream into less harmful components. DOCs reduce emissions of soot, smog-forming pollutants, and other toxic air pollution caused by diesel-powered vehicles. The diesel oxidation catalyst works much like a catalytic converter on a car. 

Green Tags: Also known as Renewable Energy Certificates, Renewable Energy Credits or Tradable Renewable Certificates, Green Tags are the property rights to the environmental benefits from generating electricity from renewable energy sources. These certificates can be sold and traded and the owner can legally claim to have purchased renewable energy.

Greenhouse Gases: Greenhouse gases are components of the atmosphere that contribute to the "greenhouse effect." Some greenhouse gases occur naturally, while others come from activities such as the burning of fossil fuel and coal. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. 

Hybrid Vehicles: Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle, resulting in twice the fuel economy of conventional vehicles.  

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI): ICLEI is an association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 550 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI provides technical consulting, training, and information services to build capacity, share knowledge, and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level.   

Kyoto Protocol: The Kyoto Protocol is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty that assigns mandatory limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. The Kyoto Protocol now covers more than 160 countries globally and over 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED):  The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a Green Building Rating System that was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED provides a list of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. LEED was created to accomplish the following:

  • Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
  • Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
  • Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
  • Stimulate green competition
  • Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
  • Transform the building market
NeighborWoods: Sponsored by the City of Greensboro Planning Department and Greensboro Beautiful, this program provides trees to Greensboro neighborhoods for planting to help replace those that have been damaged or lost through development, storms or illness. Funding is provided by private donations.

Ozone: Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be "good" or "bad" for your health and the environment, depending on its location in the atmosphere. Ozone occurs in two layers of the atmosphere. The layer closest to the Earth's surface is the troposphere. Here, ground-level or "bad" ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe. The troposphere generally extends to a level about 6 miles up, where it meets the second layer, the stratosphere. The stratosphere or "good" ozone layer extends upward from about 6 to 30 miles and protects us from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Tree City USA: This program, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, recognizes cities for their commitment to an effective, ongoing community forestry program. Greensboro has received the recognition for 16 consecutive years.