The water offset world is a very new place. Accordingly, the Yara team came across some words and phrases that we initially were not familiar with, as well as had to create some of our own to accurately describe the problems. Here is a quick guide to some of that nomenclature.

• Carbon Credits: A permit which allows a country or organization to produce a certain amount of carbon emissions, and which can be traded if the full allowance is not used.
• Carbon Neutral: Making no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
• Individual measures: A term used to describe efforts by customers to reduce their water usage that are not enforced or quantifiable by any outside authority. This includes but is not limited to trying to take “shorter” showers, turning off the faucet when washing hands, or washing the car less frequently.
• Water Credits: A term to describe the water equivalent of carbon credits but not offered by the government.
• Water Impact: The amount of water an individual is responsible for using throughout all of their activities and behaviors, extending beyond the water an individual directly uses. Synonymous with “water footprint".
• Water Offset: A mechanism to compensate for water consumption or impacts on water resources through supporting initiatives that promote water conservation or sustainable water management.
• Water Use: The amount of water an individual directly uses.
• Water Zero: The amount of water used by an individual, home, or business is equal to the amount of water saved.