Environmental issues glossary

A glossary of words and phrases used in green construction and sustainable development.

S

Sustainability asset management (SAM)

SAM is an independent Asset Management Company that gives advices to institutional and private clients on their responsible investment. SAM launched the first Socially Responsible Investment Index in 1999.

SBF 120

Paris Stock Exchange Index, created in 1993, listing the 120 largest French companies by market capitalisation.

Section 38

An agreement entered into pursuant to Section 38 Highways Act 1980 whereby a way that has been constructed or that is to be constructed becomes a highway maintainable at the public expense. A publicly maintainable highway may include provision for drainage of the highway. (Drainage of highways is defined in Section 100 (9) of the Highways Act 1980).

Section 102 or 104

Section within the Water Industry Act 1991 permitting the adoption of a sewer, lateral drain or sewage disposal works by the sewerage undertaker. Sometimes referred to as S102 or S104.

Section 106 (Town and Country Planning Act 1990)

A section within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that allows a planning obligation to a local planning authority to be legally binding.

Section 106 (Water Industry Act 1991)

A key section of the Water Industry Act 1991, relating to the right of connection to a public sewer.

SEER (Seasonal energy efficiency ratio)

The total cooling output of an air conditioner during its normal annual usage period for cooling, in kW, divided by the total electric energy input during the same period (in other words, the measure of the Energy efficiency of the air conditioner).

Self-regulating

A system that alters its own characteristics to achieve or regain equilibrium.

Sequestration

The removal of Greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by Photosynthesis, or technological measures through storage in a Carbon sink. Storage may involve containing the gas physically without changing its chemical form or, more commonly, fixing the gas within a different material.

Sewers for Adoption

A guide agreed between sewerage undertakers and developers (through the House Builders Federation) specifying the standards to which private sewers need to be constructed to facilitate adoption.

Shading Coefficient (SC)

The ratio of solar heat gain passing through a glazing system to the solar heat gain that occurs under the same conditions if the window was made of clear, unshaded double strength glass. The lower the SC number, the better the solar control efficiency of the glazing system.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

The occurrence of health problems to occupants of a building related to the construction and mechanical systems of the building. This sickness is characterised by; dizziness, headaches, irritated eyes, nausea, throat irritation and coughing. These reactions typically cease when the person leaves the building for a prolonged period.

Site and regional controls

Manage Runoff drained from several Sub-catchment. The controls deal with Runoff on a catchment scale rather than at source.

Soakaway

A subsurface structure into which surface water is conveyed to allow Infiltration into the ground.

Soil Index Value (SOIL)

Is obtained from the WRAP soil classification, used in the Wallingford Procedure to calculate the treatment volume.

Solar panel/collector

Device which uses the sun’s energy to perform some kind of mechanical advantage which would normally be supplied by a non-renewable energy source. Photovoltaic panels (PV’s) and solar hot water panels, which pre-heat water before sending it into a hot water heater are two examples.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The fraction of total solar energy that enters a space through a window. The total solar gain through a windows equals the SHGC multiplied by the incident solar radiation. The Shading Coefficient (SC) is referenced frequently and equals the SHGC for a windows divided by 0.87 (assuming normal incidence).

Solvents

Liquids, usually petroleum based that can dissolve solids and keep them in solution; may contribute to pollution through evaporation.

Source control

The control of Runoff or pollution at or near its source.

South

Used as a preferred term to refer to developing or poor non-industrialised countries. North refers to developed, rich industrial countries

Sprawl

The spread of residential areas, shopping centres, and small industries outside of city boundaries.

Stack effect

The draught that is created by warm buoyant air as it rises in a tall confined space such as a chimney, stairwell, atrium or lift shaft.

Standard of living

The measure of consumption and welfare of a country, community or individual, usually shown as GDP per capita

Stay-in-place insulating formwork

Concrete formwork made from expanded or extruded polystyrene which is permanent in the structure of the building. Such formwork serves as an insulator and can reduce the amount of concrete required.

Strawbale construction

A construction method using baled straw producing either load bearing structure, or as infill to an independent structural system. Straw bales have high insulative properties, are readily available, generally are a waste product from farms and are a renewable material.

Stratosphere

The layer of the earth's atmosphere just above the Troposphere, extending from 10 km to about 50 km above the earth.

Sub-catchment

A division of a catchment, allowing Runoff management as near to the source as is reasonable.

Subsidiarity

The notion that decision-making should occur at the level at which the people most directly concerned can take responsibility.

Substrate

In biology a substrate is the surface a plant or animal lives upon

Suburban sprawl

Development at the edge or fringe area of cities, previously often without strict planning permission.

Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS)

Sustainable drainage systems or sustainable urban drainage systems: a sequence of management practices and control structures designed to drain surface water in a more Sustainable fashion than some conventional techniques.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

A colourless, irritating gas that is a primary cause of Acid rain; a by product of coal combustion.

Surface water management

The management of Runoff in stages as it drains from a site.

Suspended solids

Undissolved particles in a liquid.

Sustainability

Making decisions for the present which do not compromise future decisions.

Sustainability indicators

Ways of measuring how well a community is meeting the needs and expectations of its present and future members.

Sustainable

A way of using resources that does not threaten their long term survival or the survival of the plants, animals and people that depend on them.

Sustainable cities

Settlements that have taken steps to remain healthy over the long term, in relation to their environment, society and economy.

Sustainable Cities Programme

A joint UN-HABITAT/UNEP facility for helping urban environmental planning and management in cities, e.g. in China, Poland, India.

Sustainable development or sustainability

Sustainable development, or sustainability, is defined as economic activity that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability is based upon three components: economic growth, social progress and environmental protection. Economic aspects of sustainability include, but are not limited to, financial performance, employee compensation, and community contributions. Social aspects include public policymaking, fair labour standards and equal treatment of women and minorities. Environmental aspects include impacts on the air, water, land, natural resources, and human health.

Sustainable Energy

The provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable Energy has two key components; renewable energy and energy efficiency. See - Sustainable development.

Swale

A shallow vegetated channel designed to conduct and retain water, but may also permit Infiltration; the vegetation filters particulate matter

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