Dictionary

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A carbon-neutral circular economy

An economic system that works on a carbon-neutral basis – i.e. produces net zero emissions – and has adapted to the earth’s carrying capacity and the planetary boundaries.

Agroecological symbiosis

A co-operation network of farms and other operators, aimed at self-sufficient production in terms of energy and nutrients. One example of a plan for such co-operation is that between a farm, a poultry farm, a local bakery and a biogas plant in Hyvinkää.

Anonymisation

Process of changing a data set so that it becomes impossible for the controller or for anyone else to identify a person to whom the data relate either directly or indirectly.

B

Biodiversity

The diversity of wildlife that safeguards the preconditions for life on Earth.

Biodiversity loss

Nature is disappearing at least a hundred times faster than ever before in human history. The sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history is underway.

Bioenergy

Energy derived from biomass (organic matter) or biofuels such as biogas, bioethanol or biodiesel.

Biofuel

A fuel made of biomass (organic matter). For example, dried wood chips that can be burned or refined biofuel such as bioethanol or biodiesel.

Biogas

A gas containing methane (CH4), formed when microbes break down organic matter such as manure or sludge from sewage plants in non-aerobic conditions.

Biogenic carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide released as a result of the combustion or decomposition of biological material. Examples include carbon dioxide released during the combustion of wood and biogas generated by decomposition.

Blockchain

A continuously accumulating decentralised data entity in which all transactions are chronological, validated by all parties and stored in a way that cannot be altered or falsified.

Business ecosystem

A network in which a variety of private and public operators co-operate and create products and services that are complementary to each other, or develop new kinds of expertise and production resources. Such networks can be found, for example, in the biogas sector.

C

Carbon balance

The variation in the amount of carbon held by a carbon storage, such as a forest, per time unit (year). A positive carbon balance means a situation where the carbon storage is growing.

Carbon budget

A carbon budget is the amount of carbon that can be emitted to the atmosphere in accordance with a specific climate target.

Carbon footprint

Emissions caused by human activity. It can apply to that of a company, an organisation, an activity, a product or an individual. In addition to carbon dioxide emissions, it also takes into account other significant greenhouse gas emissions such as methane and nitrous oxide.

Carbon handprint

The climate benefits, or the emission avoided by using a product, process or service. It can be created by a state, company, association or individual human being. For example, when a company generates a carbon handprint for its customer, the customer can reduce his/her own carbon footprint. It emphasises the positive future effects on emissions, whereas the carbon footprint focuses on the current negative effects of emissions.

Carbon negative

A situation where a product, company, locality or a country sequesters more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits into it.

Carbon risk

The risks for the operation and wealth of companies, investors, cities or states as a result of measures for mitigating climate change. Includes, for example, risks resulting from an increase in the price of greenhouse gas emissions or a restriction on the use of fossil fuels.

Carbon sequestration

A process where carbon is captured from the atmosphere and stored locally, for example, in photosynthesis.

Carbon sink

A carbon storage that actively captures carbon from the atmosphere. Forests are an example of a significant carbon sink.

Carbon storage

Carbon that is not released into the atmosphere is said to be in carbon storage. Carbon sinks increase the size of the carbon storage.

Carbon-neutral

Describes, for example, a product, company, municipality or state that only emits as much carbon dioxide as it can offset. The carbon footprint of a carbon-neutral product during its entire life cycle is zero.

Cascading principle

Putting the use of raw materials into an order of value to create resource effectiveness. For example, wood is first made into products of a higher added value, which are then reused or recycled, and not used in energy production until the end of a natural lifespan.

Cleantech

Describes a technology, product, service, process or closed system that promotes the sustainable use of natural resources. It maximises material, water and energy efficiency from both economic and technological points of view, and at the same time reduces emissions released into water, the air and onto land.

Climate

The weather in a specific geographic region. We are particularly interested in the changes in that weather over a long period of time.

Climate change

A broad range of changes happening to our planet due to global warming, which is caused by the increase in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activity.

Climate positivity

The positive net impact of a product, company, municipality or a country on the mitigation of climate change. The concept is related to climate negativity.

Climate risk

Risks to companies’ business operations and, to a wider extent, society as a result of the direct or indirect effects of climate change. For example, a drought caused by weather phenomena is a direct effect; declining crop yields due to drought and the following increase in the price of food are indirect effects.

Community-led

Activity that arises from local starting points and needs. Community-led operating practices enable citizens to get involved in developing solutions to today’s social, environmental and economic challenges.

Consensus algorithm

An algorithm that allows the computers of users in a network of computers to reach a consensus on what data is incorrect and what is correct.

Consent

A consent is a legal basis for processing personal data. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous. A consent request needs to be presented in a clear and concise way, using language that is easy to understand, and be clearly distinguishable from other pieces of information such as terms and conditions. The request has to specify what use will be made of your personal data and include contact details of the company processing the data.

Consent-based data sharing

The data is shared only when those to whom the data concerns give their consent to share the data.

D

Data altruism organisation

An organisation that makes data available on a large scale in accordance with the principles data-altruism.

Data collective

A collective aiming to make it easier for individuals to manage data.

Data economy

An area of the economy where the collection and use of data are a key part of activities.

Data economy ecosystem

Data economy ecosystems constitute a network that is formed by those within the ecosystem, who use data as a source for business. Different stakeholders are connected directly or indirectly within the network and by its value chains. The data economy ecosystem also incorporates the rules (official or unofficial) that determine what is allowed within the network.

Data ecosystem

Several data networks can form a data ecosystem, “a network of networks”, in which the members collaborate with each other to share and use data, as well as to boost innovation and new businesses.

Data ethics

A branch of ethics that deals with the ethical issues related to data.

Data lake

A data lake is a method employed in business intelligence solutions. It enables the collection and storage of different types of data for further processing. Data lakes are different from traditional data warehouse solutions because the modelling used in data lakes is light and they also support non-traditional data formats (e.g. images, documents and sensor data).

Data portability

The ability to run and/or use the same data on different computer systems.

Data sharing

Transfer of data between two or more parties.

Data space

A set of mutually agreed principles and rules for sharing and exchanging data within or between different sectors.

Data subject

The data subject is the person whose personal data are collected, held or processed.

Data-altruism

The practice by which companies or individuals voluntarily make their data publicly available for non-profit use.

Data-driven business model

Business models specifically designed to create additional business value by extracting, refining and ultimately capitalizing on data.

Decentralised and virtual drug trial

A decentralised and virtual drug trial uses digital and physical solutions that enable the trial to be carried out independently of location. Decentralised and virtual trials aim to put the patient at the centre and reduce or even eliminate the need for patients to travel to a research centre for procedures.

Decentralised Autonomous Organisation; DAO

An organisation that operates independently or autonomously, without the management structure of a normal organisation, using blockchain technology.

Decentralised finance; DeFI

A financial service using blockchain technology and tokens that operates independently with smart contracts without intermediaries.

Decoupling

Separating events, conditions, circumstances or situations that have previously been linked, so that they can be realised independently of each other. For example, the decoupling of well-being and economic growth from the consumption of natural resources.

Digital and green twin transition

A transition to digitalisation and the use of data in a way that promotes a carbon-neutral welfare society.

Digital rights

Human rights in the context of digital technologies.

Digital therapeutics

Evidence-based digital treatments for illnesses and syndromes. Patients have an active role in their use. They work both independently and as part of medical treatment. Independent digital therapeutics are offered particularly for mental health conditions, while digital therapeutics used alongside medical treatment are offered for chronic illnesses.

Digital wallet

An application that enables trading and transactions via a digital device or online service.

Diversity of ecosystems

The diversity of different types of living environment and natural habitat. For example, herb-rich forests, raised bogs or dystrophic lakes in Finland.

E

Earth overshoot day

The calculated date on which humanity’s ecological footprint exceeds the earth’s annual biocapacity; that is, its capacity to produce renewable natural resources and process the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels.

Ecological compensation

A mechanism in which damage caused to nature by human activity in one place is compensated for by carrying out measures that strengthen biodiversity elsewhere. For example, forest felled as part of a construction project can be compensated for by rehabilitating an equivalent amount of a corresponding habitat (or in some cases, by preventing imminent damage through conservation measures) somewhere else so that biodiversity on the whole is not harmed. For additional information, see, inter alia, Moilanen and Kotiaho: Ekologisen kompensaation määrittämisen tärkeät operatiiviset päätökset. Suomen ympäristö 5/2017.

Ecological footprint

The size of the land or water area needed to produce the nutrition, materials and energy consumed by a person or a group of people and to process the waste produced by them. According to WWF, the ecological footprint of humanity already exceeds the earth’s carrying capacity by 25 per cent.

Ecosystem accounting

An expansion of environmental accounting, which aims to identify the extent and state of ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide as statistics and with physical and financial indicators. Ecosystem accounting makes it possible to monitor the development of the state of ecosystems as well as examine their connections with indicators on the economy, employment and well-being.

Ecosystem services

See nature’s contributions to people.

Emission compensation

The purchasing of emission reduction units to compensate for emissions caused. The funds are used, for example, to support the use of renewable energy or sustainable use of land and forests in developing countries across the world. The aim is to prevent climate change.

Environmental accounting

Incorporating environmental statistics (such as statistics on emissions, consumption of natural resources and generation of waste) into the same framework with financial indicators. When environmental statistics are compiled and presented as accounts and balance sheets compliant with national accounts, they use, for example, the same concepts, industry and sector groupings, and classifications. This makes it possible to measure the interaction between the economy and environment, such as reflecting the development of GDP on the volume of use of natural resources.

Ethical data economy governance model

An ethical data economy ecosystem governance model is a model that includes the rules, technical and non-technical requirements for actors, controlling bodies and representation of all stakeholders to ensure legal, ethical, transparent, trustworthy, secure and fair data use and supervision of it in a defined data economy ecosystem.

Ethical guidelines

The aim of ethical guidelines is to promote ethical and trusworthy practices by providing guidance on how ethical principles can be operationalised in a specific context.

F

Fair data economy

The part of the economy that focuses on creating services and data-based products in an ethical manner. Fairness means that the rights of individuals are protected and the needs of all stakeholders are taken into account in a data economy.

First-generation biofuel

A biofuel that is usually produced from raw materials suitable for food production, such as maize or sugar cane.

Forced trust

Forced trust illustrates a situation where a person is forced into using and trusting an eocsystem, information system or an ICT product/service. The "forced trust" concept occurs when a user – whether that be a customer, an organisation or even a governmental agency – does not have the right to choose but is instead mandated to use a certain information system.

Foresight

Recognising factors that affect the future, charting alternative futures and determining measures required to reach the desired future. Foresight supports decision-making on the future, which inherently includes uncertainty. Foresight does not aim to precisely predict the future.

Freemium model

Consumers exchange their data or privacy in return for access to the "free" features of a product. Additionally, some consumers pay a monetary price to access some features of a product.

G

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the European Union’s ("EU") new General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), regulates the processing by an individual, a company or an organisation of personal data relating to individuals in the EU.

Generative AI; creative AI; productive AI

An AI (artificial intelligence) model that creates new content in the form of written text, sound, images, or video. Models are trained on vast amounts of example data and operate by analysing features of this data.

Greenhouse gas

An atmospheric gas such as carbon dioxide that lets through solar radiation but absorbs the heat radiating from the earth's surface.

H

Habitat

An area with specific environmental conditions and characteristic flora and fauna. Herb-rich forests, raised bogs and humic lakes are examples of habitats. Habitats are the most comprehensive level of biodiversity. As with plants and animals, habitats can also be endangered.

Health data

Health data is ‘data concerning health’ means personal data related to the physical or mental health of a person, including the provision of health care services, which reveal information about his or her health status.

Human-driven data economy

A model that recognises the importance of people and their needs as being fundamental to the working of a data economy. Individuals are not seen as mere objects from which to gather information but instead as active participants whose individual and legitimate needs are respected and heard in the data economy field.

I

Images of futures

Images of various possible futures, often grouped as clearly distinct alternatives based on the chosen frame of reference or assessment criteria. Tools such as scenarios may be used to create these images.

Impact

A far-reaching, long-term societal change. With the term “impact”, we might also particularly refer to actions taken to promote development and progress; in other words, actions that benefit society.

Industrial symbiosis

An operation model based on co-operation in which companies make efficient use of each other’s side-flows, technology, expertise and services. What might be side-flow or waste to one company becomes a profitable resource for another, saves costs and reduces environmental effects. Sitra has launched FISS (the Finnish Industrial Symbiosis System), an operating model for industrial symbioses in Finland. FISS is operated by Motiva.

Informed consent

An expression of willingness by which a research participant voluntarily consents to a proposed procedure or examination after being given information about participation and its risks in such a way that they can receive and understand the information.

Innovation ecosystem

A network of members working together to create business and innovation, or to conduct research or otherwise create added value through collaboration.

K

Key project

A set of policy measures and methods that plays an essential role in achieving the government programme's strategic objectives and/or the objectives set out during a government term (1-4 years).

M

Megatrend

A general direction of development consisting of various phenomena and entailing widespread change, such as the ecological sustainability crisis. Megatrends are often considered to occur at the global level and the development is often considered to continue in the same direction.

Metaverse

An internet-based entity consisting of persistent virtual spaces, where interaction is possible within and between virtual spaces.

Mitigation hierarchy

A principle widely accepted in securing biodiversity, according to which the negative impacts caused by human activity to nature should first be avoided, then minimised and, as a last resort, fixed on-site or offset through ecological consumption, or measures strengthening biodiversity elsewhere.

MyData

The term MyData refers to: 1) a new approach, a paradigm shift in personal data management and processing that seeks to transform the current organisation-centric system to a human-centric system; 2) personal data as a resource that the individual can access and control. Personal data that is not under the respective individual’s own control cannot be called MyData.

N

Nature footprint

The overall impact of an individual, an organisation, a product or a service on biodiversity – that is, the negative impact of a thing or activity on nature. Nature footprints can also be positive, in which case the term nature handprint can be used (as with carbon footprint and carbon handprint). For the time being, there is no standard for measuring nature footprints, but several experimental indicators intended for different uses.

Nature’s contributions to people

Tangible and intangible benefits provided by nature to humans, such as carbon sinks, pollination of food crops, purification of water and air or mitigation of floods. All renewable natural materials that offer us food, clothing, energy or medicines are also part of nature’s contributions to people. Also known as ecosystem services.

Negative emissions

Permanent removal of greenhouse gases from the earth's atmosphere. This can be achieved as a result of carbon dioxide removal technologies, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture or enhanced weathering.

Net positive impact

A situation in which the combined effect of human activity on biodiversity is positive, that is, strengthens the well-being of nature. The abbreviation NPI is also commonly used. A Net Positive Impact is achieved when the benefits to nature exceed the negative impacts on nature.

No net loss

A state in which human activity on the whole does not harm biodiversity. The abbreviation “NNL” is also commonly used. No Net Loss is achieved when measures to strengthen biodiversity (such as ecological compensation) balance out the harm caused after all the necessary steps have first been carried out in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy to avoid or minimise any negative impact.

Non-fungible token; NFT

A certificate of the right to a digital copy whose current owner and possession history have been verified using blockchain technology.

Nutrient cycle

Nutrient cycle, or nutrient circulation is a core ecological process that happens in the soil. We can help nutrient management by nutrient recycling.

Nutrient recycling

Processing and use of side-streams generated by agriculture and the food chain on the whole, such as manure, treatment plant sludge, biomass and biowaste, so that the useful nutrients contained in them – especially phosphorus and nitrogen – are recovered and used as fertiliser. Promoting nutrient circulation is at the core of the circular economy.

O

Open data

Data which can be freely used, re-used and re-distributed by anyone.

P

Paris agreement

An agreement made in Paris in December 2015 within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Phenomenon

A fact or situation that has become an object of observation and is affected by several factors working independently in the background. Temporary movements, events and fashion trends are also often called phenomena.

Privacy discount model

Unlike in the” privacy-as-a-luxury” model, consumers are encouraged to relinquish their privacy and data through the use of discounts.

Privacy-as-a-luxury model

Consumers pay for privacy controls by incurring higher fees. Companies offer services and devices that provide consumers with more privacy and data-protection options at a higher price than other competing products.

Proof of work

A consensus algorithm that validates a transaction through mechanical calculation.

Proof-of-stake

A consensus algorithm that validates a transaction with crypto tokens attached to a blockchain.

R

Re-use of data

The use of data for purposes other than for which it was originally collected or produced.

Rebound phenomenon

A situation in which the solution to a problem reduces its benefits or worsens the actual problem. For example, exchanging a car for a newer one that uses less fuel may lead to an increase in the amount of driving and therefore more emissions.

Rehabilitation

Helping an area whose natural value has been affected to be restored to its natural state through active human restoration and maintenance measures. For example, rehabilitating a drained bog would involve blocking the trenches so that the water level can return to its original level and the fauna typical to the bog type can start to recover.

Resilience

The ability of people and communities to function in changing circumstances, face up to disturbances and crises, and recover from them. For example, the capability of society to recover from war and the ability of nature to return the balance of ecosystems.

Resource wisdom

The capability to use different resources (natural resources, raw materials, energy, products and services, spaces and time) in a manner that takes into consideration the consequences. Unlike resource effectiveness, resource wisdom promotes well-being and sustainable development.

Resource-wise and carbon-neutral society

A society that does not produce net carbon dioxide emissions or waste. A society that prospers by using the share of the earth’s natural resources that genuinely belongs to it and does not exceed the earth’s ecological carrying capacity.

S

Second-generation biofuel

A biofuel whose main raw material is waste with a high lignocellulosic biomass content. It includes felling waste, demolition wood waste and waste from the food industry.

Secondary use of health and social data

The secondary use of health and social data means that the customer and register data created during health and social service sector activities will be used for purposes other than the primary reason for which they were originally saved. The secondary uses referred to in the Act in Finland include: scientific research, statistics, development and innovation activities, steering and supervision of authorities, planning and reporting duties by authorities, teaching, knowledge management.

Situational picture

A description of the current state of affairs that are being evaluated. A situational picture identifies the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable and an analysis of the operating environment.

Smart & clean

A technology, product, service or area that through digitisation directs the consumer or company to make clean choices from the point of view of the environment. For example, the Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation develops such activities.

Smart contract

A programme implemented using blockchain technology that enables the automatic exchange of items of value under pre-defined rules.

Soft infrastructure

An area of digital infrastructure, including institutions, services, standardised definitions and contracts.

Strategic objective

A desired direction when one or several megatrends and/or phenomena are taken into account. In the context of strategic government programmes, the time span of strategic objectives is between 10 and 20 years.

Sustainable tax reform

Budget-neutral change in the focus of taxation towards the taxation of emissions and natural resources while at the same time reducing other taxation.

Synthetic biogas (SBG, Synthetic BioGas)

Methane gas (CH4) produced from wood or other biomass in a thermochemical process. It is refined using the same methods that are used in the refining of natural gas and biogas.

Synthetic biology

Human-engineered biological systems, cells, cell components or organisms that are not found in nature.

Systemic change

Systemic change refers to the simultaneous reform of operational models, structures and their interactions, which are used to create the prerequisites for future welfare and sustainable development.

T

The bioeconomy

An economy in which renewable natural resources are used to produce food, energy, products and services.

The circular economy

An economic model which does not focus on producing more and more goods, but in which consumption is based on using services – sharing, renting and recycling – instead of owning. Materials are not destroyed in the end, but are used to make new products over and over again.

The earth’s ecological carrying capacity

The extent to which the planet and its natural environment can cope with levels of human consumption, production, waste and other activities. If this limit is exceeded, environmental disasters will follow, which will soon be reflected in our well-being and businesses.

The sharing economy

A new kind of economic thinking, in which the opportunity to use goods and services is regarded as more important than owning them. Different digital platforms and applications such as Nappi Naapuri, which provides a forum for residents to find neighbourly help and stuff, enable it in practice.

The sixth mass extinction

The disappearance of several species as a consequence of human activity. Activities such as hunting large animals to extinction, overfishing the oceans and climate change speed up the wave. We cannot prevent it; we can only try to mitigate it.

Token

A token that describes the thing exchanged between parties in a blockchain.

U

Underuse

Underuse means that a product is not used as much as it could be. This concept includes planned obsolescence and the disposal of a product while still usable.

V

Vearable device

A mobile device that the user can wear.

Vision

A description of the desired future. A vision presents a goal to pursue and action is required to make the vision a reality.

W

Weak signal

An indication of an emerging issue or an early sign of a potential change that may be meaningful in the future. A weak signal can indicate the emergence of a new phenomenon or a new side to an old one. Often coming as a surprise, it forces one to challenge present assumptions, which is why it is often difficult to notice and easy to overlook. A weak signal describes things that could have an effect in the future but are not yet significant, requiring time to mature.

Web 3.0

A development phase of the internet, which aims to provide services that enable decentralised decision-making and commerce.

Wicked problem

A complicated problem that is particularly difficult to solve because it involves a large number of different variables.

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