Glossary definitions

In global trade, the difference between water used to produce export products and the water used to produce import products.

A desirable future (an endpoint in time) which we want to achieve. Visions usually consist of statements depicting the explicit desires, assumptions, beliefs and paradigms that underlie the desired future.

“Visions” are descriptions of a desirable future (an endpoint in time), which society or parts of society want to achieve. They usually consist of statements depicting orienting goals, and the assumptions, beliefs and paradigms that underlie the desired future. Visions can take the form of policy targets, but can also be formulated by a range of actors, e.g. from the private sector to address business targets or civil society to address social targets.

The process of converting a chemical substance from a liquid or solid state to a gaseous or vapour state.

The inability (of a system or a unit) to withstand the effects of a hostile environment, such as ecosystem and human society. The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being damaged.

The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected. Vulnerability encompasses a variety of concepts and elements including sensitivity or susceptibility to harm and lack of capacity to cope and adapt.

Those individuals or groups who have a greater probability than the population as a whole of being harmed and experiencing an impaired quality of life because of social, environmental, health, or economic conditions or policies.