The likes of Al Gore, Rupert Murdoch and The Rolling Stones are among those who have reduced their carbon impact before offsetting their remaining emissions through methods such as planting new trees or investing in green technologies. Therefore becoming ‘carbon neutral’ citizens, corporations and even pop stars.

However, the idea of going ‘carbon neutral’ is no recently embraced flash-in-the-pan fad. The expression was coined and trademarked by Global Cool founder Dan Morrell back in the late 1980s when the existing terminology was a bit too much of a mouthful.

“The process was originally known as ‘carbon sequestration’, which – when presented to big corporations looking to reduce their emissions – sounded like something you’d have done at the dentist.” explained Dan today (14th November).

Over the past 20 years the term has gradually entered the everyday language in both the UK and across the pond in the US. Erin McKean, editor in chief of the dictionary, elaborates:

“The increasing use of the word ‘carbon neutral’ reflects not just the greening of our culture, but the greening of our language. When you see first graders trying to make their classrooms carbon neutral, you know the word has become mainstream.”

‘Carbon neutral’ saw off competition from such terms as ‘elbow bump’ - a greeting in which two people touch elbows, as recommended by the World Health Organisation as an alternative to the handshake in order to reduce the spread of germs - and ‘pregaming’ - the consuming of alcoholic beverages before attending a sporting event or party, especially one where alcohol may be limited or banned.