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Glossary

New to climate terminology? The glossary will help you get a jumpstart.

Term

Definition

Adaption Changing behaviors or systems to reduce negative impacts
Balanced Mix Design Use of performance tests to design pavement structure
Carbon Credit Tradeable certificate used in carbon mitigation policy systems
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Measurement unit used to standardize climate impacts of greenhouse gases
Carbon Emissions Carbon substances released into atmosphere
Carbon Footprint Measurement of climate impact over a lifecycle
Carbon Neutrality Net zero emission achieved through carbon offsets and elimination
Carbon Offsets Purchasing of carbon credit to comply with emission caps
Carbonation Permanent sequestration of carbon dioxide
Climate Change Change in temperature, precipitation or wind for longer than 10 years
Corporate Social Responsibility Business commitment to behave ethically in the workplace and community
Downstream Scope Three Emissions Emissions (indirect) from use of company's product
ENERGY STAR APEX Program A program to reduce energy consumption and costs at asphalt facilities
Environmental Product Declaration Details of a product's environmental performance during its lifecycle
Environmental, Social & Governance Three factors measuring corporate sustainability and ethical impact
e-Ticketing Paperless electronic document on driver and load delivered
Fleet Management Strategies for managing commercial vehicles
Fly Ash Fines of a coal combustion product
Green Rating Systems Framework of sustainable guidelines and metrics for design and construction
Greenhouse Gas A gas that heats the earth because it absorbs infrared radiation
Greenwashing Green public relations which are deceptive about a product, claims or policies
Intelligent Compaction Compaction of road materials using rollers, computer, and GPS.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Organization assessing scientific and technical literature on climate change
International Roughness Index Mathematical measurement of road's smoothness
Kyoto Protocol 1997 treaty where nations detailed emission reduction targets for first time
Landfill-free At least 90% of operational waste is reused, recycled or converted to energy
Life Cycle Assessment Environmental assessment method evaluating all stage of a life cycle
Open-Graded Friction Course Thin permeable asphalt layer
Our Common Future The 1987 UN report which defined sustainable development
Ozone Layer Region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's radiation
Paris Climate Agreement 2015 treaty on climate change to mitigate, adapt and finance CO2 reductions
Perpetual Pavement Long-lasting structural design and construction of asphalt
Porous Pavement Product designed to allow water to move through the asphalt layer
Product Category Rules Product category-specific requirements for conducting a life cycle assessment
Quality Assurance Method to prevent mistakes in manufactured products and ensure quality
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Reprocessed pavement containing asphalt and aggregate
Recycled Asphalt Shingles Reprocessed shingles containing a stiff binder and aggregate fines
Recycling The collection and reprocessing of a resource for reuse
Renewable Energy Electricity supplied from renewable sources
Resilience The ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions
Rolling Resistance Force resisting a tire's motion
Scope One Emissions Emissions from company-owned and controlled resources
Scope Two Emissions Emissions (indirect) from a company's purchase of generated power
Sequestration Storage or removal of carbon dioxide within a product
Slag Stony ore waste, a byproduct of smelting
Smoothness Pavement quality that ensures high driver satisfaction
Speed of Construction Quick construction techniques, practices, and materials for satisfaction
Stone Matrix Asphalt Gap-graded mixture designed for rut resistance and durability
Sustainable Meeting present needs while ensuring future generations can too
Thinlay Pavement preservation technique that adds 3/4- to 1 1/2 inches of structure
Triple Bottom Line Balancing environmental, economic, and social impacts
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Call for countries to tackle climate action, life and justice issues
Upstream Scope Three Emissions Emissions (indirect) of products used in the manufacturing of a pavement
Variable Frequency Drive Type of motor drive
Warm Mix Asphalt Technologies that allow for production at lower temperature
Wildlife Habitat Wildlife areas that provide opportunities for food, water, and nesting
Zero Waste System-wide approach maximizing recycling and reducing waste/consumption