noun
environmental burden; environmental load
Technical term used in environmental science and policy to describe the impact of human activities on the environment, such as resource consumption or pollution.
製品のライフサイクル全体で環境負荷を評価する。
We assess the environmental burden over the entire product life cycle.
再生可能エネルギーの導入は環境負荷の低減につながる。
Introducing renewable energy leads to a reduction in environmental load.
環境影響 (environmental impact) is a broader term often used in environmental impact assessments, while 環境負荷 specifically refers to the quantitative burden or load placed on the environment.
Compound of 環境 (environment) and 負荷 (burden, load). The term is a modern technical coinage reflecting the concept of environmental carrying capacity and impact.