Every sector has its own shorthand. In this Explain to a Friend episode of Tangelic Talks, hosts Victoria Cornelio and TJ Omojomolo unpack the terms behind Season 05, which follows how clean energy ideas move from ambition to delivery.

What Sustainability Actually Means

TJ’s test is simple: could you keep doing it for a very long time without harming others or future generations? Walking to work passes. A fuel-hungry flight does not.

In the climate context, Victoria adds, sustainability ties environmental protection to affordability, social equity, economic development and long-term resilience.

Clean Energy vs Renewable Energy

The terms overlap but are not identical. Renewable energy comes from sources that are not depleted, such as solar and wind. Clean energy comes from sources and processes that do not harm the environment.

Biomass, such as wood pellets, sits in the gray area: some organizations class it as renewable, others do not. Because Season 05 guests come from several countries, each guest’s own definition applies.

Mini-Grids: Local Power Where the Grid Falls Short

Where a national grid is insufficient, communities can generate their own power through a mini-grid. It can serve a couple of households or an entire village, running on solar, wind or gas. Mini-grids matter most in smaller communities across developing countries, including Nigeria.

Critical Minerals and the Clean Energy Trade-Off

Lithium, cobalt, copper, silver, platinum and gold go into solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and power stations. Mining them creates significant emissions, which raises a fair question: is the technology truly clean?

Over time, the hosts note, the clean energy produced can exceed the energy used to make the equipment, and efficiency should keep improving. TJ’s conclusion: acknowledge the trade-offs rather than ignore them, without abandoning the technology.

ESG, CSR and Responsible Business

• Environmental: products and services should not damage the environment.
• Social: the effect on employees, communities and everyone affected, directly or indirectly.
• Governance: how a company is run, including leadership, risk management, accountability and ethics.

ESG has largely replaced CSR, which focused on the social side, and “responsible business” is emerging as a newer term, though it may make impact harder to measure. The hosts also acknowledge growing skepticism, as some companies use ESG loosely. For more, see our episode on greenwashing and communications.

Funds, Investors and Foundations

• Funds pool money from several investors into companies, real estate, stocks or bonds, usually for a return.
• Institutional investors, such as banks, foundations and large companies, typically invest six to eight figures or more.
• Retail investors are individuals investing smaller amounts.
• Foundations are charitable trusts. Some prioritize impact; others run investment arms whose returns fund their charitable work.

Subsidies and Ecosystems

A subsidy is a government grant that, unlike a loan, does not need to be repaid, though recipients sign detailed terms. Whether that public money could be better spent elsewhere remains an open debate.

TJ borrows “ecosystem” from biology: people and organizations interacting and benefiting one another. A clean power station can cut emissions, create jobs and build infrastructure that supports further sustainable organizations. That is the logic behind impact investing.

Missed a definition, or see one differently? Watch the full episode above, then leave a comment or get in touch.