GLOSSARY

Assigned amount unit (AAU)

A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric ton of CO2 equivalent.  Each Annex I Party issues AAUs up to the level of its assigned amount, established pursuant to Article 3, paragraphs 7 and 8, of the Kyoto Protocol. Assigned amount units may be exchanged through emissions trading.

Adaptation

Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to a new or changing environment¹. Adaptation to climate change involves changes in policies and practices designed to deal with climate threats and risks⁴.

Adaptation Fund

The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programs in developing countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.  The Fund is to be financed with a share of proceeds from clean development mechanism (CDM) project activities and receive funds from other sources. 

Afforestation¹

Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

An ad hoc coalition of low-lying and island countries. These nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and share common positions on climate change. The 43 members and observers are American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives,  Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, US Virgin Islands, and Vanuatu.

Annex Countries⁴

Groups of countries with different obligations under international climate agreements. Annex 1 countries include industrialized countries and economies in transition⁴, which were committed to return their greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels collectively. They have also accepted emissions targets for the period 2008-12. Annex 2 countries are industrialized countries that committed to help developing countries by providing them with technology, financial assistance and other resources. Annex B countries have fixed/assigned emission reduction targets. Non-annex 1 are countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Anthropogenic emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activities. These include burning of fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, land-use changes and emissions of other GHGs³.

Atmosphere³

The envelope of gases surrounding the earth and bound to it by the Earth’s gravitational attraction. The atmosphere is divided into layers: the troposphere (from ground level to 8-17km); the stratosphere (up to 50 km); the mesosphere (50 – 90km); and the thermosphere which forms the transition zone to outer space.

Baseline³

A level of emissions against which future greenhouse gas emission levels are measured, particularly in the context of emissions reductions⁴.

Benchmarking³

A process to assess relative performance among a group of peers. Benchmarking has been proposed as one means to establish allocations of emissions allowances.

Biomass fuels or biofuels⁴

A fuel produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. These fuels are considered renewable as long as the vegetation producing them is maintained or replanted, such as firewood, alcohol fermented from sugar, and combustible oils extracted from soy beans. Their use in place of fossil fuels cuts greenhouse gas emissions because the plants that are the fuel sources also capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Cap and trade⁴

An approach to limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The system sets a maximum emission level (a cap) for a region or nation that requires participating emitters to obtain permits to pollute. Companies or governmental jurisdictions with extra pollution permits can sell or trade them to parties whose permits are insufficient to cover their full emissions.

Capacity Building³

A process of constructive interaction between developed and developing countries to help developing countries build the capability and skills needed to achieve environmentally sound forms of economic development. Under current negotiations, capacity building should assist developing countries to build, develop, strengthen, enhance and improve their capabilities to facilitate their participation in the Kyoto Protocol process.

Carbon Capture and Storage(CCS)⁴

A process by which carbon dioxide emitted from large point sources is separated, compressed, captured and stored (often by pumping it underground) rather than released into the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle⁴

Surface carbon flows from the atmosphere to the land and oceans, and back, in solid, liquid and gaseous form. The Earth’s land mass holds most of the carbon, in the form of organic matter, living vegetation and coal and carbon deposits. Large-scale changes on land such as use of fossil fuels or deforestation drastically alters this flow of carbon,

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)³

Carbon dioxide a naturally occurring gas and the most common greenhouse gas. It is released into the atmosphere through natural (respiration, decay of vegetation or forest fires) and human activities (fossil fuel and biomass burning, industrial processes, changes to land use). It is the principal anthropogenic gas that affects the earth’s temperature. It is the reference gas against which other GHGs are indexed and therefore has a ‘Global Warming Potential’.

Carbon dioxide equivalent or CO₂eq⁴

A unit of measurement used to compare the climate effects of all greenhouse gases to each other. CO₂eq is calculated by multiplying the quantity of a greenhouse gas by its global warming potential (GWP). The term comes from the fact that carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas and other gases are measured in units called “carbon-dioxide equivalents.”

Carbon market⁴

A popular term for a trading system through which countries may buy or sell units of greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to meet their national limits on emissions, either under the Kyoto Protocol or under other agreements, such as the EU Trading System.

Carbon Sinks³

Natural or man-made systems that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store them Trees, plants and the oceans are all carbon sinks.

Carbon Tax⁴

A tax placed on carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon tax aims to reduce the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by setting a price on carbon and levying a tax. The tax generates revenue that can be used to move towards a low carbon economy by developing technology, mitigation and underwriting further emissions.

Certified emission reductions (CER) ³

A CER represents one ton of CO2eq greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved through a CDM project.

CFCs¹

Chlorofluorocarbons.

CH₄

Methane.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)⁴

A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries can meet their Kyoto targets by investing in low-emission projects in developing nations¹. The developing countries in turn are able to move towards low-carbon economies without curbing development¹. Under the CDM, industrial countries can earn Certified Emission Reduction units (CERs) for projects in developing countries⁴. These can be applied toward national reduction targets of industrialized countries⁴.

Climate³

The average and statistical variations of weather in a geographical region. The averaging period is typically several decades.

Climate Change²

Refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. The UNFCCC defines climate change climate change as a ‘change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods’.

Climate Models³

Large and complex mathematical computer programmes used to simulate global climate, models are based on mathematical equations that seek to represent the physical processes that govern the earth-atmosphere system.

Climate Sensitivity³

The change in the Earth’s average equilibrium surface air temperature following a doubling of CO2 concentration (e.g., from 275 parts per million⁴ to 550 parts per million). This is estimated by the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report as likely to be in the range 2 to 4.5 ˚C with a best estimate of about 3 ˚C.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

Governments that have signed the UNFCCC meet regularly to discuss its status, possible revision and possibilities in the future⁴. The first COP was held in 1995 (Berlin) and sessions have been held annually since then¹. The fifteenth COP will be held in Copenhagen, between 7th and 18th December⁴.

Declaration¹

A non-binding political statement made by ministers attending a major meeting (e.g. the Geneva Ministerial Declaration of COP-2).

Deforestation¹

Conversion of forest to non-forest.

Desertification²

Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and activities.

Designated National Authority (DNA)¹

An office, ministry, or other official entity appointed by a country that is party to the Kyoto Protocol, to review and give national approval to projects proposed under the Kyoto Protocol (such as CDMs and JIs).

Emission reduction unit (ERU)⁴

A Kyoto Protocol unit of one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. ERUs are generated for emission reductions or emission removals from joint implementation project.

Emissions trading

A market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can occur at the domestic, national and intra-company levels¹. Trading allows parties that emit less than their allowed emissions to trade the excess reductions⁴. Emissions trading is also one of the three Kyoto mechanisms by which an Annex I Party may transfer Kyoto Protocol units to or acquire units from another Annex I Party¹. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) is a mandatory emission trading scheme currently in place; the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is a voluntary trading program⁴.

Forcing⁴

Changes to the climate system that are caused by natural (volcanic eruptions for example) or human-caused (greenhouse gas emissions) factors. Scientifically, radiative forcing measures changes to the natural energy balance of the Earth’s atmosphere that affect surface temperature. So named because it measures incoming solar radiation against outgoing thermal radiation, radiative forcing is expressed as a rate of energy change in watts per square meter. Human-caused forcing factors like greenhouse gases have a positive radiative forcing and cause surface temperatures to increase. Other such factors, including some aerosols, have a negative radiative forcing and cause surface temperature to cool.

Global Environmental Facility (GEF)³

A jointly funded programme established by developed countries in 1992, to meet their obligations under various international environmental treaties.

Global Warming³

The increase in the Earth’s temperature, in part due to emissions of greenhouse gases associated with human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Global warming potential (GWP)⁴

A measurement of the relative strength and potency of a greenhouse gas as well as its projected lifespan in the atmosphere. GWP is based on carbon dioxide, and allows comparisons among different greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse effect³

The trapping of heat by naturally occurring (water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone) and synthetic (CFC’s etc) atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation. The greenhouse effect keeps the earth 30 ˚C warmer than if these gases did not exist in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)¹

Atmospheric gases that cause climate change by trapping heat from the sun⁴. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂0). Less prevalent –but very powerful — greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆).

HFC¹

Hydrofluorocarbons.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)⁴

The international scientific body established by the World Meteorological Organization and the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) in 1988¹. It was established to provide an objective and neutral source of information on climate change⁴. The IPCC releases periodic assessments of scientific and technical literature on climate change from around the world, and is widely recognized as the most credible existing source of information on climate change¹.

International Climate Change Partnership³

Global coalition of companies and trade associations committed to constructive participation in international policy making on climate change.

IUCN¹

International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Joint Implementation (JI)⁴

Jointly implemented projects that allow industrialized countries to earn emission reduction credits by investing in projects in other industrialized countries⁴. Many JI projects are located in Eastern Europe.

Kyoto Protocol⁴

An international binding agreement that sets binding targets for the reduction of human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions by 37 industrialized countries. It requires an emission reduction of five percent collectively from 1990 levels in the period 2008-12. Adopted in 1997 under the UNFCCC, and entered into force on 16th February 2005, it has been signed by over 180 countries.

Kyoto mechanisms⁴

Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocol to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts; Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Emissions Trading (ETS) and Joint Implementation(JI).

Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) ⁴

Land use is the set of activities that occur on any given parcel of land, such as grazing, forestry, or urban living⁴. Changes to land use such as converting forest land to agriculture can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases⁴. These activities are considered during climate negotiations, and covers emissions and removal of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities (LULUCF)³.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)³

The world’s poorest countries. The criteria currently used by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for designating a country as an LDC includes low income, human resource weakness and economic vulnerability. Currently 50 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.

Lock-in technologies and Practices³

Technologies and practices that have market advantages arising from existing institutions, services, infrastructures and available resources; they are very difficult to change because of their widespread use and the presence of associated infrastructure and socio-cultural patterns.

Market Barriers³

Conditions that impede or prevent the diffusion of cost-effective technologies or practices that would mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Market Potential³

The portion of the economic potential for GHG emissions reduction or energy-efficiency improvements that could be achieved under forecast market conditions, assuming no new policies and measures.

Mitigation

In the context of climate change, policies and behaviours designed to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases⁴. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial processes, switching to solar energy or wind power, improving the insulation of buildings, and expanding forests and other “sinks” to remove greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere³.

Models, predictions and pathways⁴

Scientists use climate and atmospheric modeling to understand how the climate works and how greenhouse gas concentrations and other triggers can lead to climate change. These models help scientists understand the Earth’s climate system, make predictions about possible changes in climate resulting from changes in biological, physical and chemical variables. These in turn help predict the effects of climate change, develop emission pathway scenarios and understand what limits are needed to meet climate stabilization points.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

The Prime Minister of India released the NAPCC on 30th June. It outlines the Government of India’s strategy to meet the challenges of climate change. It focuses on eight areas – the so-called ‘missions’ – intended to deliver maximum benefits to development while addressing climate change: solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, green India, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable knowledge for climate change.

N₂0

Nitrous oxide – one of the six GHG’s, generated by burning fossil fuels and the manufacture of fertilizers³.

Observers³

Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Governments not Parties to the Convention which are permitted to attend, but not vote, at meetings of the COP and its subsidiary bodies. Observers may include the United Nations and its specialized agencies; other intergovernmental organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency; and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Parts per million (ppm)⁴

A ratio-based measure of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is usually measured in parts per million; in 2007 the atmospheric concentration of CO2 had passed 384 ppm – an increase of more than 100 ppm since 1750.

Ratification¹

Formal approval, often by a Parliament or other national legislature, of a convention, protocol, or treaty, enabling a country to become a Party. Ratification is a separate process that occurs after a country has signed an agreement. The instrument of ratification must be deposited with a “depositary” (in the case of the Climate Change Convention, the UN Secretary-General) to start the countdown to becoming a Party (in the case of the Convention, the countdown is 90 days).

Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) ⁴

A policy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from deforestation and forest degradation. In principle, REDD provides financial incentives for countries to maintain and preserve forestlands as carbon sinks and biodiversity reserves, rather than cutting them down for economic reasons. In December 2007, climate negotiators agreed to consider including REDD as part of a new climate change agreement.

Sink⁴

Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Forests and other vegetation, oceans and soils, are considered sinks because they remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)³

The SCCF was established to finance projects relating to adaptation – in the developing world; technology transfer and capacity building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic diversification.

Stabilisation⁴

The point at which the climate is stable and not undergoing additional systemic changes. This will typically occur when greenhouse gas concentrations have leveled out. Stabilization is often measured as concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Stern Review³

A 2007 study commissioned by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer led by economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, to examine the economics of climate change.

Surface temperatures (global)⁴

An estimate of the average surface air temperature across the globe. When estimating climate change over time, only abnormal changes to the mean surface temperature – not daily, seasonal or local variations – are measured. Global surface temperature is most commonly expressed as a combination of land and sea temperature.

Sustainable development⁴

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Technology transfer⁴

A broad set of processes covering the flow of knowledge, expertise, equipment and resources among stake-holders, that helps them adapt to or mitigate climate change.

Third Assessment Report (TAR)²

The third extensive review of global scientific research on climate change, published by the IPCC in 2001. Among other things, the report stated that “The Earth’s climate system has demonstrably changed on both global and regional scales since the pre-industrial era, with some of these changes attributable to human activities. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.” The TAR also focused on the regional effects of climate change.

UNFCCC⁴

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adopted on 9 May 1992 and signed at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, the Convention established general principles to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations and prevent dangerous human-caused interference with the climate system. The treaty includes requirements such as preparing national inventories of GHG emissions and a commitment to reduce emissions to 1990 levels. The convention now has nearly universal membership, with more than 190 signatory countries.

Vulnerability⁴

The degree to which an ecosystem or society faces survival risks due to adverse climate changes, and includes susceptibility as well as ability to adapt to climate variability and extremes. The level of vulnerability determines whether an ecosystem or society can be resilient in the face of climate change. Adapted from: UNFCCC¹ , IPCC², IPIECA³ (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association), State of the World Report 2009⁴.

Adapted from: UNFCCC¹ , IPCC², IPIECA³ (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association), State of the World Report 2009⁴.