Jargon Buster

A carbon calculator is a service or tool used for the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions. AdGreen is a carbon calculator supported by Ad Net Zero, which is focused on improving production practices. For media agencies, GroupM has made its carbon calculator open source. 

When it comes to digital media, it is important that companies are aware of the various factors that should be taken into account when calculating the carbon footprint of their advertising. These include format, screen, country, dimensions, internet connection, player, pages and visits.

A carbon disclosure rating is a measure of the environmental sustainability of a company, based on voluntary disclosures by the company itself. The practice is intended to help investors who wish to incorporate environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) factors into their investment decision-making process.

This is when the amount of CO2 emissions removed from the atmosphere is larger than the CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere. Being carbon negative has a positive impact on the environment.

This is when the amount of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere is equal to the amount of CO2 emissions removed from the atmosphere, meaning the impact on the environment is neutral.

While carbon neutrality is a positive step, the digital ad industry’s ultimate goal is to achieve net zero, where carbon emissions are reduced to zero [see entry for net zero].

This is when an organisation, country or person directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions through efficiencies. For example, when it comes to digital advertising, decreasing the file size of ads or reducing the number of failed bids in the supply chain can reduce emissions.

Executed via a GPS enabled mobile device that allows a user to declare they are at a specific location.

A form of advertising which is particularly common in newspapers and online which may be sold or distributed free of charge. It is generally grouped under headings classifying the product or service being offered (headings such as Auto, Clothing etc) and is grouped entirely in a distinct section away from display advertising. Display advertising typically contains graphics or other art work and which is more typically distributed throughout a publication adjacent to editorial content.

An interaction between a user and the browser in which the user moves their cursor or pointer to an active area of the screen and then deliberately interacts with that area by clicking a button on their device, triggering an event. In the case of touch-screen devices, the user “clicks” by touching the active area with their finger.