Glossary
Balance of System (BOS)
**Balance of System (BOS)** refers to the various components and infrastructure in a solar energy system that support and complement the solar panels, but are not directly involved in the generation of electricity. BOS components are essential for the effective and efficient capture, storage, and distribution of solar power. These elements encompass a wide range of hardware, including inverters, mounting systems, wiring, switches, and batteries, as well as software for monitoring and managing...
Barocaloric Materials
**Barocaloric materials** are solid-state materials that exhibit a reversible thermal response—a change in temperature, entropy, or heat content—when subjected to a change in hydrostatic pressure. This response arises from a pressure-induced phase transition (often structural, magnetic, or electronic) that alters the material’s internal order. During pressurization, the material typically releases heat (exothermic), and during depressurization it absorbs heat (endothermic). Because this...
Battery Lifecycle
The **battery lifecycle** refers to all stages a battery goes through, from raw material extraction and processing to manufacturing, use, reuse, recycling, and final disposal. It includes the sourcing of materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and manganese, the production of battery cells and packs, their use in products such as electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems, and their end-of-life management. A sustainable battery lifecycle aims to reduce...
Benthic Carbon Sequestration
**Benthic Carbon Sequestration** refers to the process through which carbon dioxide (CO₂) is captured and stored in the sediments of ocean and freshwater ecosystems. This natural mechanism plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by trapping carbon that would otherwise contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. Benthic zones, which are the lowest ecological niches in a body of water, contain a rich diversity of microorganisms and organic matter that facilitate this carbon...
Betz Limit
The **Betz Limit**, also known as Betz's Law, is a theoretical maximum efficiency for energy conversion by a wind turbine. Identified by German physicist Albert Betz in 1919, it states that no wind turbine can capture more than 59.3% of the kinetic energy in wind. This is because some of the wind must pass through the turbine to allow for continuous movement; if all the wind's energy were extracted, the wind speed behind the turbine would be zero, causing an aerodynamic and mechanical...
Bio-Based Polymers
**Bio-based polymers** are macromolecular materials whose monomer units come wholly or partly from renewable biological resources such as plants, biomass, microorganisms, or agricultural residues. Their defining feature is the renewable origin of the carbon, not biodegradability. Bio-based polymers can be natural, like cellulose or starch; chemically modified, like cellulose acetate; or synthetic polymers produced from bio-derived monomers, such as PLA or bio-PE. Their development aims to...
Biochar Production
**Biochar Production** refers to the process of creating biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from organic materials through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic matter at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Biochar can be made from a variety of organic materials, including agricultural waste, wood chips, and other biomass sources. This technique not only transforms agricultural residues into a valuable resource but also aids in waste...
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
**Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)** is a critical parameter for assessing water quality, representing the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a given water sample over a specific period, typically five days. This measure is crucial for understanding the potential impact of effluents and pollutants on aquatic ecosystems, highlighting the levels of biodegradable material present.
Increased BOD levels often indicate higher concentrations...
Biodegradable
**Biodegradable** refers to any substance or material that can be naturally broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae into simpler compounds like water, carbon dioxide, methane, and biomass. This decomposition occurs through biological processes without the need for artificial additives or industrial treatment. The rate and completeness of biodegradation depend on environmental conditions, including temperature, oxygen, humidity, and the presence of suitable...
Biodiversity
**Biodiversity** refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within these species. It also encompasses the ecosystems they form, such as forests, coral reefs, and wetlands. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience, human health, and the overall functioning of the planet.
Protecting biodiversity involves conserving habitats, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable...
Bioeconomy
**Bioeconomy** refers to an economic model that uses renewable biological resources, biotechnology and circular-economy principles to produce food, materials, chemicals, fuels, energy and services in a sustainable way. It relies on efficient and responsible use of biomass, organic waste and regenerative natural systems to reduce dependence on fossil resources and lower environmental impacts. The bioeconomy spans agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, bioprocessing, industrial biotechnology and...
Biofuels
**Biofuels** are renewable energy sources derived from organic materials such as plants, algae, and animal waste. These sustainable fuels are designed to replace conventional fossil fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. Common types of biofuels include ethanol, which is typically made from corn or sugarcane, and biodiesel, which is produced from vegetable oils or animal fats.
The production of biofuels involves biological processes like...
Biomass
**Biomass** is organic material derived from plants, animals, or microorganisms that can be used as a renewable source of energy or raw material. It includes wood residues, agricultural by-products, algae, and organic waste. Because the carbon in biomass originates from atmospheric CO₂ absorbed during photosynthesis, it is often considered carbon-neutral when sourced sustainably. Biomass can be converted into energy through combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, or anaerobic digestion,...
Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)
**Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)** refers to a group of climate mitigation approaches that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by using biomass and storing the captured carbon in long-lasting reservoirs. Plants naturally absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis and store it in organic matter such as wood, crops, or agricultural residues. In BiCRS systems, this biomass is collected and processed so that the carbon it contains is prevented from returning to the atmosphere through...
Biomethane
**Biomethane** is a renewable gaseous fuel produced by upgrading biogas generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials such as agricultural residues, food waste, manure, sewage sludge, and other biodegradable waste streams. During anaerobic digestion, microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas composed mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas is then purified by removing carbon dioxide, water vapour, and trace contaminants,...
Bioplastics
**Bioplastics** are a category of plastics that are either bio-based (made partially or entirely from renewable biological sources such as corn, sugarcane, cellulose, or algae), biodegradable, or both. They are designed to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower the environmental impact of traditional plastics.
Bioplastics fall into two main groups:
Bio-based plastics:
Made from renewable biomass but not necessarily biodegradable (e.g., bio-PE, bio-PET).
Biodegradable or compostable...
Biopolymers
**Biopolymers** are natural polymers produced by living organisms or synthesized from renewable biological sources such as plants, algae, or microorganisms. They consist of long molecular chains made up of repeating units called monomers, which are linked through biochemical or polymerization processes. Common types include polysaccharides (like cellulose, starch, and chitin), proteins (such as collagen, silk, and keratin), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Modern biopolymers can also be...
Biotechnology
**Biotechnology** is the use of biological systems, living organisms or their components to develop products, technologies and processes that improve human life, the environment and industrial efficiency. It includes applications in health, agriculture, energy, materials and environmental management. Modern biotechnology uses tools such as genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering and bioinformatics to create or modify organisms for specific purposes. Examples include developing medicines...
Black Carbon Emissions
**Black Carbon Emissions** refer to fine particulate matter produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass. These tiny particles, commonly known as soot, are a major component of atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and significantly contribute to air pollution. When released into the atmosphere, black carbon absorbs light and heat, contributing to global warming and climate change.
The environmental and health impacts of Black Carbon Emissions are profound....
Blue Carbon
**Blue Carbon** refers to the carbon captured by the world's oceanic and coastal ecosystems, primarily by habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These aquatic environments play a crucial role in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Unlike terrestrial forests that store carbon in woody biomass, blue carbon ecosystems store significant amounts of carbon in both the plants themselves and the...
Blue Economy
The **blue economy** refers to the sustainable use, management and conservation of ocean, sea and coastal resources to support economic development, social well-being and environmental health. It includes sectors such as marine renewable energy, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology and port operations. A sustainable blue economy aims to create economic value while maintaining the long-term productivity and resilience of marine ecosystems. It promotes...
BMO Climate Institute Business Leaders Survey (Canada)
The **Business Leaders Survey for Canada** is an annual research initiative conducted by the BMO Climate Institute to evaluate how Canadian businesses perceive and respond to climate change. It surveys senior decision-makers from companies with at least five employees across sectors and regions. The study measures the extent to which climate change is already affecting Canadian businesses, their expectations for future impacts, and their level of preparedness for both physical and...
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
A **Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)** is a type of light water nuclear reactor used primarily for generating electricity. Unlike other reactor designs, a BWR directly boils water to create steam within the reactor vessel, without the need for a separate steam generator. This steam is then directed through pipes to drive a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity. The simplicity of this design leads to higher thermal efficiency and lower operational costs, making BWRs a popular...
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
**BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)** is a globally recognized sustainability certification developed by the UK’s Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990. It assesses buildings and infrastructure on environmental, social, and economic performance across categories such as energy, water, materials, waste, health, and ecology. Projects earn ratings from “Pass” to “Outstanding,” encouraging efficient resource use, reduced carbon impact, and improved...
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
**Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)** are innovative systems that incorporate photovoltaic materials into the structure of a building. Unlike conventional solar panels that are added to existing buildings, BIPVs are seamlessly integrated into the building's envelope as essential components, such as roofs, facades, skylights, and windows. This integration not only serves the primary function of the building element but also generates renewable solar energy, contributing to the...