CarbonSig glossary
Account Management
Organizational structure and hosting options
Cloud Account - The default hosting option for smaller clients who don't need their own instance, providing access to CarbonSig through a shared cloud infrastructure.
Instance - A standalone, physical version of the CarbonSig software deployed for a specific client, offering greater customization and control.
Organizational Structure - The hierarchical arrangement of accounts, workspaces, and users within the CarbonSig platform.
Account - The primary organizational unit in CarbonSig, typically representing a company or corporate entity with its own set of users, data, and permissions.
Workspace - Subdivisions within an account for organizing work, allowing teams to collaborate on specific projects or product lines within the larger organization.
General Workspace - The default workspace provided to accounts where users can perform standard operations and collaborate on day-to-day carbon accounting tasks.
Training Workspace - A specialized workspace environment designed for onboarding and educating new users, containing sample data and guided exercises without affecting production data.
User Management
User roles and permissions
User - An individual with access to a CarbonSig account, with specific permissions and roles defined by their account administrator.
External User - A user from outside an organization who has been granted limited access to specific CarbonSig resources or attestations.
Account Role - A defined set of permissions and access levels assigned to users within a CarbonSig account.
Admin - A user with full administrative privileges to manage accounts, users, and system settings within CarbonSig.
Builder - A user role focused on creating and modifying systems, processes, and carbon accounting models within CarbonSig.
Viewer - A restricted user role that can view but not modify data within the CarbonSig platform.
Full Name - The complete name of a user as registered in the CarbonSig system.
Username - A unique identifier used by a user to log into the CarbonSig platform.
Supplier - An organization that provides products or materials to account holders and may share carbon emissions data through the platform.
Verifier/Validator - An independent third party that reviews and confirms the accuracy of carbon emissions claims and attestations.
System Page
System modeling tools and interfaces
System - A modeled representation of a product's life cycle or a process flow, used to calculate and track carbon emissions.
System Templates - User-created system models that can be saved as templates for future use. This feature allows users to reuse their own custom configurations rather than starting from scratch. Note: Currently, the app does not offer pre-configured system templates.
Create System - The process of establishing a new carbon accounting model within the CarbonSig platform.
Build with AI - A feature that leverages artificial intelligence to assist in creating or optimizing carbon accounting models.
Input Object - A material, energy flow, or other resource that enters a process or system in a carbon accounting model.
Output Object - A product, co-product, or waste stream that exits a process or system in a carbon accounting model.
Intermediate Object - A material or energy flow that exists between processes within a system but is not a final output.
Process Unit - A discrete step or operation within a larger system that transforms inputs into outputs and may generate emissions.
Emissions - The greenhouse gases released during a specific process or activity, typically measured in CO2 equivalent.
Source Category - A classification of emissions sources based on their type or sector (e.g., energy generation, transportation, industrial processes).
Determination Method - The approach used to calculate or measure emissions for a specific process or activity (e.g., direct measurement, emission factors).
Emission Factor Type - A classification of the methodology or data source used for emissions calculations (e.g., industry average, supplier-specific, location-based).
Design Tab - The interface section used for creating and configuring carbon accounting systems and models.
Entry Tab - The interface section used for inputting data and parameters into carbon accounting models.
Analyze Tab - The interface section that provides visualizations, calculations, and insights based on carbon accounting model results.
Results - The calculated outputs and findings from a carbon accounting model, including emissions totals and breakdowns.
Properties - The configurable attributes and parameters of objects, processes, or systems within the CarbonSig platform.
System Run Duration - The time period over which a system's emissions are calculated and reported.
Publish - The action of making a completed carbon accounting model or attestation available to designated users or organizations.
Transfer - The process of moving carbon attestations between accounts or organizations within the platform.
CAP page
Terms related to carbon tracking artifacts and measurements
CAP (Carbon Attested Product) - A discrete claim about carbon intensity tied to specific production quantities, allowing for transparent tracking of emissions throughout supply chains.
CarbonSig Attestation Certificate - An official document that validates and certifies the carbon intensity claims of a specific product or production batch, providing third-party verification of emissions data.
Attestations - Formal declarations or statements that verify the accuracy and authenticity of carbon emissions data for specific products or processes.
Book and Claim - a mechanism involving a registry which allows an actor to “book” or register an environmental action or activity as a claim and then transfer the right to make that environmental claim to another party.
Product Explorer - A tool within CarbonSig that allows users to search, view, and analyze carbon attestations across different products and suppliers.
Recipient - The entity or organization that receives a Carbon Attested Product certificate or attestation, typically a customer or downstream supply chain partner.
Publisher - The entity responsible for creating and issuing carbon attestations or certificates within the CarbonSig platform.
Added by - The specific user who uploaded or created an entry or document in the CarbonSig system.
Attester - An individual or organization that formally verifies and endorses the accuracy of carbon emissions data.
Product - A specific item, material, or service for which carbon emissions are tracked and attested within the CarbonSig platform.
EAC - Environmental Attribute Certificate, a document that certifies that a product or service has certain environmental attributes associated. These can include but are not limited to RECs (renewable energy certificates), carbon credits, carbon removals and other book and claim certificates.
EPD - Environmental Product Declaration. A standardized and verified document that provides transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of a product. It is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) that evaluates the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle.
Inventory - A comprehensive collection of carbon emissions data, attestations, and certificates managed within a CarbonSig account.
PCF - Product Carbon Footprint. A measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Certificate
Carbon credit and offset terminology
Carbon Credit - A tradable certificate representing the right to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases, typically one metric ton of CO2 equivalent.
Carbon Offset - A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that compensates for emissions made elsewhere, typically measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
Carbon Removal - The process of capturing and permanently storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere.
Sinks - Natural or artificial reservoirs that absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere, such as forests, soil, or geological formations.
Carbon Source - Any process, activity, or entity that releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Embodied Carbon - The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials throughout their life cycle, including extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
Sharing
Privacy and access controls
Public - A visibility setting that makes data or attestations accessible to all users of the CarbonSig platform.
Private - A visibility setting that restricts access to data or attestations to only authorized users within an account.
Restricted - A visibility setting that limits access to data or attestations to a specifically defined set of users or organizations.
Obfuscation - The process of masking or hiding sensitive information while still sharing the essential carbon emissions data.
Libraries Management
Data organization and categorization
Emission Data Market place - A centralized repository of standardized carbon emissions factors, materials, and processes available to all users across the CarbonSig platform.
My Reference Emission Data - A customized collection of carbon emissions factors, materials, and processes specific to an individual account or workspace.
LCI (Life Cycle Inventory) - A comprehensive compilation of the inputs, outputs, and environmental impacts associated with a product or process throughout its life cycle.
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) - A systematic analysis of the environmental impacts of a product or process across its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling.
Versioning (LCI) - The system for tracking and managing different iterations of Life Cycle Inventory data as it is updated or refined over time.
Category - A high-level classification used to organize objects, materials, or processes within the CarbonSig libraries.
Sub Category - A more specific classification within a primary category, providing finer granularity in organizing library items.
Source - The origin or provider of specific carbon emissions data, which may include industry databases, EPDs, or direct measurements.
Emission Type - A classification of greenhouse gas emissions based on their source or scope (e.g., direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased energy).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions - The release of gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and others.
Attestation Date - The specific date when a carbon attestation was formally verified and issued.
Third-Party Verified - A designation indicating that emissions data has been independently reviewed and confirmed by a qualified external organization.
Expiry Date - The date after which a certificate, attestation, or emissions claim is no longer considered valid and requires renewal.
Visibility - Settings that control which users or organizations can view specific data, attestations, or certificates within the platform.
Carbon Credit page
Carbon Credit tracking and management
Project Name - The identifying title of a specific carbon offset or removal project.
Registry - A database or platform that lists verified carbon offset projects and tracks the issuance, transfer, and retirement of carbon credits.
Vintage Year - The year in which a carbon credit was generated or a carbon reduction occurred.
Serial Number Block - A unique identifier or range of identifiers assigned to specific carbon credits for tracking purposes.
Supplier Management
Managing external partners and data sharing
Supplier - An organization that provides materials, products, or services and shares carbon emissions data through the CarbonSig platform.
Carbon Relations - The connections and data-sharing arrangements between organizations regarding carbon emissions throughout supply chains.
Address Book - A centralized repository of contact information for suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders within CarbonSig.
Contact Person Card - A profile containing contact details and role information for an individual representative from a supplier or partner organization.
Company Card - A profile containing key information about a supplier company, including contact details, industry sector, and carbon data sharing status.
RFCI - Request for Carbon Information, a formal inquiry sent to suppliers requesting specific carbon emissions data for products or processes.
Invite vs. Request - "Invite" initiates adding a new user to the platform, while "Request" is used to solicit information or action from existing users.
Add Supplier - The process of adding a new supplier organization to the CarbonSig platform and establishing data sharing relationships.
Activate License - The process of enabling a purchased CarbonSig license for a user or organization.
Contact Person - A designated individual who serves as the primary point of communication for a supplier or partner organization.
Right Sidebar
Analysis and visualization elements
CO2e Emissions - The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product or process, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent.
CO2e per Unit - The greenhouse gas emissions intensity per functional unit of a product (e.g., per kg, per MWh).
CO2e Sources - The specific activities, processes, or materials that contribute to the total greenhouse gas emissions in a system.
CO2e Sinks - Elements within a system that absorb or sequester carbon, reducing net emissions.
CO2e Credits - Carbon offsets or credits applied to reduce the net reported emissions of a product or process.
CO2e Emissions Net - The final greenhouse gas emissions figure after accounting for sinks and applied credits.
CO2e per Unit Net - The net greenhouse gas emissions intensity per functional unit after accounting for sinks and applied credits.
Emissions Category - A classification of emissions sources based on their type or sector within the analysis results.
Sankey (Carbon Emissions Flow) - A type of flow diagram that visually represents the magnitude of carbon flows through a system.
Bar Chart (Rank Weight Contributors List) - A visualization that ranks and displays the relative contribution of different processes or materials to total emissions.
Statuses
Various system states for tracking progress
Draft - An initial, incomplete state for documents or attestations that are still being prepared and not yet submitted for review.
Pending - A status indicating that an item or request has been submitted but is awaiting review, approval, or further action.
Received - A status indicating that submitted information or documentation has been successfully received by the intended recipient.
In Progress - A status indicating that work on a document, attestation, or process is actively underway but not yet complete.
Active - A status indicating that an account, user, or attestation is current, valid, and operational within the CarbonSig system.
Completed - A status indicating that all required steps in a process have been finalized and no further action is needed.
Actions
Common platform functions
Activate – Enables or makes operational a feature, account, or user within the system.
Add – Incorporates a new item or element into an existing system, library, or collection.
Archive – Stores items that are no longer actively used but should be retained for reference or compliance purposes.
Assign – Designates a specific user or team as responsible for an item or process.
Cancel – Terminates a process or action without completion, typically reverting to the previous state.
Cancel vs. Close – "Cancel" interrupts and terminates a process before completion, while "Close" properly finalizes a completed process.
Confirm – Provides positive verification or approval for a requested action or data submission.
Create – Generates a new item, document, or process within the CarbonSig platform.
Delete – Permanently removes an item from the system.
Deny – Rejects or refuses a requested action, approval, or submission.
Edit – Allows modification of existing content, data, or settings within the platform.
Remove – Disassociates an item from its current context without necessarily deleting it from the system entirely.
Rescind vs. Withdraw – "Rescind" formally revokes an attestation or claim that has been issued, while "Withdraw" removes a claim or request before it has been fully processed.
Resend Activation – Reissues an activation link or credentials when the original attempt was unsuccessful or expired.
Return – Sends an item back to its previous state or owner in a workflow.
Save – Stores current work or changes without finalizing or submitting them for review.
Save vs. Action Name – "Save" stores current work without triggering subsequent workflow steps, while an "Action Name" (like Submit or Approve) advances the item to the next stage in the process.
Use – Applies or allocates a resource (such as a carbon credit) to a specific purpose.