Glossary of climate change acronyms and terms
A B C D E
F G H I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AAU
Assigned amount unit. A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne 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.
Abatement
Refers to reducing the degree or intensity of greenhouse-gas emissions.
AC
Adaptation Committee. The Adaptation Committee was established by the Conference of the Parties as part of
the Cancun Agreements to promote the implementation of enhanced action on adaptation in a coherent manner
under the Convention, inter alia, through various functions. More information available here.
Accession
An act whereby a State becomes a Party to a treaty already negotiated and signed by other States; has the
same legal effect as ratification.
Adaptation
Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects,
which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
Adaptation Fund
The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing
countries that are particularly vulnerable and 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. It is operated by the Adaptation Fund Board. More information available
here.
ADP
Ad hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. The ADP is a subsidiary body
established at COP 17 in Durban in 2011 to develop a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed
outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties. The ADP is to complete its work by
2015 in order to adopt this protocol, legal instrument or agreed outcome with legal force at the
twenty-first session of the COP and for it to come into effect from 2020. More information here.
Afforestation
Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.
AG13
Ad hoc Group on Article 13. A subsidiary body (committee) created by COP-1 to explore how to help
governments overcome difficulties experienced in meeting their commitments under the Climate Change
Convention (1995-1998).
AGBM
Ad hoc Group on the Berlin Mandate. A subsidiary body created by COP-1 to conduct the talks that led to the
adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. The AGBM concluded its work on 30 November 1997.
AIJ
Activities implemented jointly. Activities carried out under the Convention to mitigate climate change
through partnerships between an investor from a developed country and a counterpart in a host country under
a pilot phase that ended in the year 2000. The purpose was to involve private-sector money in the transfer
of technology and know-how. See also JI - Joint Implementation
Amendment
A modification by the COP to the text of the Convention. If consensus cannot be reached, an amendment must
win three-quarters of the votes of all Parties present and casting ballots.
Annex I Parties
The industrialized countries listed in Annex I to the Convention, which committed to returning their
greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 as per Article 4.2 (a) and (b). They have also
accepted emissions targets for the period 2008-12 as per Article 3 and Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol. They
include the 24 original OECD members, the European Union, and 14 countries with economies in transition.
(Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Slovenia joined Annex 1 at COP-3, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia
replaced Czechoslovakia.)
Annex II Parties
The countries listed in Annex II to the Convention which have a special obligation to provide financial
resources and facilitate technology transfer to developing countries. Annex II Parties include the 24
original OECD members plus the European Union.
Anthropogenic greenhouse emissions
Greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from human activities.
AOSIS
Alliance of Small Island States. 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, 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, Timor-Leste,
Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, US Virgin Islands, and Vanuatu.
APA
Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement. The APA was established to prepare for the entry into force of
the Paris Agreement and for the convening of the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as
the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA).
Article 4.1
An article of the Convention stipulating general commitments assumed by all Parties, developing or
developed.
Article 4.2
An article of the Convention stating the specific commitments of developed-country (Annex I) Parties only
-- notably that they would take measures aimed at returning greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the
year 2000.
Article 6 Supervisory Committee
A committee providing international oversight of "track-two" joint implementation projects. Joint
implementation projects are carried out by sponsoring and recipient developed countries under Article 6 of
the Kyoto Protocol -- with the recipient likely to be a country with an "economy in transition".
Track-two is used if one or both of the countries does not meet requirements for the standard ("track
one") joint implementation programme. See track two.
AWG-KP
Ad hoc Working Group on further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol. The
AWG-KP was established in 2005 by Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal to consider further commitments
of industrialized countries under the Kyoto Protocol for the period beyond 2012. More
information here.
AWG-LCA
Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention. The AWG-LCA was established
in Bali in 2007 to conduct negotiations on a strengthened international deal on climate change. More
information here.
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BAP
Bali Action Plan. Included in the Bali Road Map, agreed at the Conference of the Parties in Bali, Indonesia
in 2007 (COP13), introduced AWG-LCA.
Bali Road Map
The Bali Road Map was adopted at the 13th Conference of the Parties and the 3rd Meeting of the Parties in
December 2007 in Bali. The Road Map is a set of a forward-looking decisions that represent the work that
needs to be done under various negotiating "tracks" that is essential to reaching a secure climate
future. It includes the Bali Action Plan, which charts the course for a new negotiating process designed to
tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009. It also includes the AWG-KP negotiations, the
launch of the Adaptation Fund, the scope and content of the Article 9 review of the Kyoto Protocol, as well
as decisions on technology transfer and on reducing emissions from deforestation.
Berlin Mandate
Adopted at COP-1, the mandate that launched negotiations leading to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
BINGO
Business and industry non-governmental organisations.
Biomass fuels or biofuels
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 capture
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Bonn agreements
Informal term for a political deal reached at COP-6 in Bonn, Germany, in 2001, by which governments agreed on
the most politically controversial issues under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. The Bonn agreements paved
the way for the Marrakech Accords later in the same year.
Bonn fund
A special UNFCCC fund for contributions from the Government of Germany to cover costs of UNFCCC events held
in Bonn.
Brazilian proposal
A proposal by the delegation of Brazil made in May 1997 as part of the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol. It
included a formula to set differentiated emission reduction targets for Parties based on the cumulative
impact of Parties' historic emissions on the global average surface temperature.
Bunker fuels
A term used to refer to fuels consumed for international marine and air transport.
Bureau
A body responsible for directing the work of the COP. Its 10 members are delegates elected by each of five
regional groups. The Bureau includes the COP President, six Vice Presidents, the Chairs of SBI and SBSTA, and
a rapporteur. Each of the Convention's subsidiary bodies also has a Bureau.
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CACAM
Negotiating coalition of countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, Albania, and the Republic of
Moldova.
Capacity building
In the context of climate change, the process of developing the technical skills and institutional
capability in developing countries and economies in transition to enable them to address effectively the
causes and results of climate change.
Carbon market
A popular (but misleading) 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 that among member states of the European Union. The term comes
from the fact that carbon dioxide is the predominant greenhouse gas, and other gases are measured in units
called "carbon-dioxide equivalents."
Carbon sequestration
The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir.
Cartagena Dialogue
A collection of around 40 countries working towards an ambitious
legally binding agreement under the UNFCCC, and who are committed to becoming or remaining low carbon
domestically. Participates include: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Burundi, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, European Union, France, Gambia, Georgia,
Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands,
México, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Samoa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden,
Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, UAE, and the United Kingdom.
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity.
CC:TRAIN
Training methodology for assessing vulnerability to climate change.
CDM
Clean Development Mechanism. A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which developed countries may
finance greenhouse-gas emission reduction or removal projects in developing countries, and receive credits
for doing so which they may apply towards meeting mandatory limits on their own emissions.
CDM Help Desk
A support initiative for project participants, developers, coordinating
and/or managing entities (CMEs), designated national authorities (DNAs) and designated operational entities
(DOEs) to get reliable and timely information from the secretariat on issues regarding their CDM projects.
It is only available to stakeholders in Africa, least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing
States (SIDS) and countries that had 10 or fewer registered CDM projects as of 31 December 2010, as long as
the project is in the process of validation or verification.
CDM Loan Scheme
An interest-free, loan initiative that provides funding to projects
for development of PDD, validation, and first verification. It applies to projects located in host
countries with less than 10 CDM project activities registered with the UNFCCC (as of 1 January of the year
of submission), with a high probability of registration with the UNFCCC and generating at least 7,500
CERs/year for projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and 15,000 CERs/year in non-LDCs. Available at
http://cdmloanscheme.org/
Central Group
Formerly CG-11, a negotiating coalition of Central European Annex I Parties, now called the Central
Group.
Certified emission reductions (CER)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. CERs are issued for emission reductions
from CDM project activities. Two special types of CERs called temporary certified emission reduction
(tCERs) and long-term certified emission reductions (lCERs) are issued for emission removals from
afforestation and reforestation CDM projects.
CFC
Chlorofluorocarbon.
CG-11
Central Group 11 (negotiating coalition of Central European Annex I parties).
CGE
Consultative Group of Experts on National Communications from non-Annex I Parties. A panel established
to improve the preparation of national communications from developing countries. National communications
are an obligation of Parties to the Climate Change Convention.
CH4
Methane.
Chair (or Chairman, Chairperson, etc.)
National delegates elected by participating governments to lead the deliberations of the Convention's
subsidiary bodies. Different chairs may be elected for other informal groups. The Chair is responsible for
facilitating progress towards an agreement and serves during the inter-sessional period until the next
COP.
Clearing house
A service which facilitates and simplifies transactions among multiple parties.
CMA
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement. All States that are
Parties to the Paris Agreement are represented at the CMA, while States that are not Parties participate as
observers. The CMA oversees the implementation of the Paris Agreement and takes decisions to promote its
effective implementation.
CMS
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.
CMP
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Convention's
supreme body is the COP, which serves as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The sessions of
the COP and the CMP are held during the same period to reduce costs and improve coordination between the
Convention and the Protocol.
CO2
Carbon dioxide.
Coalition for Rainforest Nations
A voluntary grouping of largely developing nations with rainforests which addresses issues surrounding
environmental sustainability specific to tropical rainforests. Participation does not necessarily imply
that countries adhere to any specific domestic policies or negotiating positions within the international
context. At September 2011, the group included Argentina, Bangladesh, Belize, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya,
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay,
Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Uruguay, Uganda, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Countries
participate on a voluntarily basis primarily through unified negotiating positions, workshops and
collaborative programs.
Committee of the Whole
Often created by a COP to aid in negotiating text. It consists of the same membership as the COP. When the
Committee has finished its work, it turns the text over to the COP, which finalizes and then adopts the
text during a plenary session.
Compliance Committee
A committee that helps facilitate, promote and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto
Protocol. It has 20 members with representation spread among various regions, small-island developing
states, Annex I parties and non-Annex I parties, and functions through a plenary, a bureau, a facilitative
branch and an enforcement branch.
Compliance
Fulfilment by countries/businesses/individuals of emission reduction and reporting commitments under the
UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
Contact group
An open-ended meeting that may be established by the COP, a subsidiary body or a Committee of the Whole
wherein Parties may negotiate before forwarding agreed text to a plenary for formal adoption. Observers
generally may attend contact group sessions.
COP
Conference of the Parties. The supreme body of the Convention. It currently meets once a year to review the
Convention's progress. The word "conference" is not used here in the sense of
"meeting" but rather of "association". The "Conference" meets in sessional
periods, for example, the "fourth session of the Conference of the Parties."
CRF
Common Reporting Format. Standardized format for reporting estimates of greenhouse-gas emissions and
removals and other relevant information by Annex I Parties.
CRPs
Conference room papers. A category of in-session documents containing new proposals
or outcomes of in-session work. CRPs are for use only during the session concerned.
CSD
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
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Declaration
A non-binding political statement made by ministers attending a major meeting (e.g. the Marrakesh
Ministerial Declaration of COP-7).
Deforestation
Conversion of forest to non-forest.
Designated National Authority (DNA)
An office, ministry, or other official entity appointed by a Party to the Kyoto Protocol to review and give
national approval to projects proposed under the Clean Development Mechanism.
DNA Help Desk
A support initiative for Designated National Authorities (DNAs) to provide advice, support and assistance
with the submission of proposals for standardized baselines, recommendations of microscale renewable energy
technologies for automatic additionality, or grid emission factors. It targets DNAs from least developed
countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS), African countries, or Parties with less than 10
registered projects as of 31 December 2010. It is possible for project participants and designated
operational entities (DOEs) to liaise with a DNA to submit a request on their behalf.
Documents
Documents fall into different categories. Official documents are available to everyone and feature the
logos of the United Nations and the Climate Change Convention. They carry a reference number, such as
FCCC/CP/1998/1. Pre-session documents are available before a meeting, often in all six UN languages.
In-session documents are distributed on-site (see CRPs, L docs, Misc. docs, Inf. docs and non-papers).
Informal documents are often distributed outside the meeting room by observers.
Drafting group
A smaller group established by the President or a Chair of a Convention body to meet separately and in
private to prepare draft text -- text which must still be formally approved later in a plenary session.
Observers generally may not attend drafting group meetings.
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EIT
Countries with Economies in Transition. Central and East European countries and
former republics of the Soviet Union in transition from state-controlled to market economies.
Emission reduction unit (ERU)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. ERUs are generated for emission reductions
or emission removals from joint implementation projects.
Emissions trading
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 Party. An Annex I Party must meet specific eligibility requirements to
participate in emissions trading.
Entry into force
The point at which an intergovernmental agreement becomes legally binding -- occurring at a pre-stated
interval after a pre-stated and required number of ratifications by countries has been achieved. The
Climate Change Convention required 50 ratifications to enter into force. It now enters into force for each
new Party 90 days after that Party ratifies the Convention.
Environmental Integrity Group
A coalition or negotiating alliance consisting of Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Lichtenstein
and Monaco.
ESCAP
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
European Union (EU)
As a regional economic integration organization, the EU is a Party to both the Convention and the Kyoto
Protocol. However, it does not have a separate vote from its member states. Because the EU signed the
Convention when it was known as the EEC (European Economic Community), the EU retains this name for all
formal Convention-related purposes. Members are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United
Kingdom.
Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism
A 10-member panel elected at COP-7 which supervises the CDM.
Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT)
An expert group established at COP 7 with the objective of enhancing the implementation of Article 4.5 of
the Convention, by analyzing and identifying ways to facilitate and advance technology transfer activities
under the Convention. The EGTT completed its work in 2010.
Expert review teams
Groups of experts, nominated by Parties, who review national reports submitted by Annex I Parties to the
UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
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FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Fast-start Finance (FSF)
At COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009, developed countries pledged
to provide new and additional resources, including forestry and investments, approaching USD 30 billion for
the period 2010 - 2012 and with balanced allocation between mitigation and adaptation. This collective
commitment has come to be known as "Fast-start Finance". More information here.
Financial Mechanism
To facilitate the provision of climate finance, the Convention established a financial mechanism to provide
funds to developing country Parties. The financial mechanism also serves the Kyoto Protocol. The Convention
states that the operation of the financial mechanism can be entrusted to one or more existing international
entities. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has served as an operating entity of the financial
mechanism for many years and at COP 17 in 2011, Parties also decided to designate the Green Climate Fund
(GCF) as an operating entity of the financial mechanism. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP,
which decides on its policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for funding.
Fourth Assessment Report (AR4)
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released in 2007.
Friends of the Chair
Delegates called upon by the Chair (who takes into account the need for political balance among various
interests) to assist in carrying out specific tasks.
Fugitive fuel emissions
Greenhouse-gas emissions as by-products or waste or loss in the process of fuel production, storage, or
transport, such as methane given off during oil and gas drilling and refining, or leakage of natural gas
from pipelines.
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GATT
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
GCOS
Global Climate Observing System.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The GEF is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects
that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities. The Parties
to the Convention assigned operation of the financial mechanism to the GEF on an on-going basis, subject to
review every four years. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP. For more information on the
GEF, click here.
Global warming potential (GWP)
An index representing the combined effect of the differing times greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere
and their relative effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation.
GOOS
Global Ocean Observing System.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010, Governments established a Green
Climate Fund as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention under Article 11. The GCF
will support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing country Parties. The Fund
will be governed by the GCF Board. More information here.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
The atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. 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).
Group of 77 (G-77) and China
A large negotiating alliance of developing countries that focuses on numerous international topics,
including climate change. The G-77 was founded in 1967 under the auspices of the United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It seeks to harmonize the negotiating positions of its 131 member
states.
Group of Mountain Landlocked Developing Countries
Negotiating group formally established in June 2010 by the governments of Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikstan, focused issues faced by landlocked mountain developing countries specifically vulnerable to
transportation costs and food insecurity, with a view towards expanding the group to include other
interested countries.
GRULAC
Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.
GTOS
Global Terrestrial Observing System.
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HFC
Hydrofluorocarbons.
"Hot air"
Refers to the concern that some governments will be able to meet their targets for greenhouse-gas emissions
under the Kyoto Protocol with minimal effort and could then flood the market with emissions credits,
reducing the incentive for other countries to cut their own domestic emissions.
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IAR
Independent Assessment Report, the output of an independent assessment of each Annex I Party's
International Transaction Log, which in turn is part of the Party's reporting requirements to the
UNFCCC. IAR is forwarded to expert review teams for consideration as part of the review of national
registries under Article 8 of the Kyoto Protocol. the procedure to produce the IAR is designed to provide
independent assessment of each national registry.
ICA
International consultation and analysis, a form of review currently being negotiated and designed in the
UNFCCC intergovernmental process.
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization.
ICCP
International Climate Change Partnership - global coalition of companies and
trade associations committed to constructive participation in international policy making on climate
change.
ICLEI
International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives.
IEA
International Energy Agency.
IGO
Intergovernmental organization.
IMO
International Maritime Organization.
Implementation
Actions (legislation or regulations, judicial decrees, or other actions) that governments take to translate
international accords into domestic law and policy.
INC
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the UNFCCC (1990-1995). A committee created to draft the
Convention. The INC met in five sessions between February 1991 and May 1992. After the text of the
Convention was adopted in 1992, the INC met six further times to prepare for COP-1. It completed its work
in February 1995.
INDC
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. More information
here
In-depth review (IDR)
A process by which an Annex I Party's implementation of the Convention and/or the Kyoto Protocol is
technically assessed by international teams of experts.
INF document
Denotes an Information document. These documents are not translated and are available in the original
language of issue.
Informal contact group
A group of delegates instructed by the President or a Chair to meet in private to discuss a specific matter
in an effort to consolidate different views, reach a compromise, and produce an agreed proposal, often in the
form of a written text.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Programme, the IPCC
surveys world-wide scientific and technical literature and publishes assessment reports that are widely
recognized as the most credible existing sources of information on climate change. The IPCC also works on
methodologies and responds to specific requests from the Convention's subsidiary bodies. The IPCC is
independent of the Convention.
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
ISO
International Standards Organization.
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC)
The Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC), under the authority and guidance of the CMP, inter
alia, supervises the verification procedure for Joint Implementation projects.
Joint Liaison Group (JLG)
Group of representatives of UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD Secretariats set up to explore common activities to
confront problems related to climate change, biodiversity and desertification.
Joint implementation (JI)
A mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol through which a developed country can receive "emissions
reduction units" when it helps to finance projects that reduce net greenhouse-gas emissions in another
developed country (in practice, the recipient state is likely to be a country with an "economy in
transition"). An Annex I Party must meet specific eligibility requirements to participate in joint
implementation.
JUSSCANNZ
An acronym representing non-EU industrialized countries which occasionally meet to discuss various issues
related to climate change. The members are Japan, the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia,
Norway, and New Zealand. Iceland, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea may also attend JUSSCANZ
meetings.
JWG
Joint working group.
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Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement standing on its own, and requiring separate ratification by governments, but
linked to the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of
greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries.
Kyoto mechanisms
Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocol to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of
making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts. They are the Clean Development Mechanism, Emissions Trading and Joint
Implementation.
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Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF)
A greenhouse gas inventory sector that covers emissions and removals of greenhouse gases resulting from
direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities.
L. docs
In-session documents that contain draft reports and texts for adoption by the COP or its subsidiary bodies.
Usually such documents are available in all six UN languages.
Leakage
That portion of cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions by developed countries -- countries trying to meet
mandatory limits under the Kyoto Protocol -- that may reappear in other countries not bound by such limits.
For example, multinational corporations may shift factories from developed countries to developing
countries to escape restrictions on emissions.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
The world's poorest countries. The criteria currently used by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
for designation as an LDC include low income, human resource weakness and economic vulnerability. Currently
48 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.
Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)
A panel of 13 experts which provides advice to LDCs on the preparation and implementation of national
adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) -- plans for addressing the urgent and immediate needs of those
countries to adapt to climate change.
Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF)
The LDCF is a fund established to support a work programme to assist Least Developed Country Parties to
carry out, inter alia, the preparation and implementation of national adaptation programmes of action
(NAPAs). The Global Environment Facility, as the entity that operates the financial mechanism of the
Convention, has been entrusted to operate this fund. More information here.
Loss and damage
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010, Governments established a work programme
in order to consider approaches to address loss and damage associated with climate change impacts in
developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change as part of
the Cancun Adaptation Framework. More information here.
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Marrakesh Accords
Agreements reached at COP-7 which set various rules for "operating" the more complex provisions
of the Kyoto Protocol. Among other things, the accords include details for establishing a greenhouse-gas
emissions trading system; implementing and monitoring the Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism; and
setting up and operating three funds to support efforts to adapt to climate change.
Meeting
A formal gathering that occurs during a "session." Each session of the COP, for example, is
divided into a number of meetings. A meeting is generally scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 3 p.m.
to 6 p.m.
MISC documents
Denotes a Miscellaneous document. These documents are not translated and are issued on plain paper with no
United Nations masthead. In the UNFCCC process, submissions by Parties are normally issued as miscellaneous
documents. They generally contain views or comments published as received from a delegation without formal
editing.
Mitigation
In the context of climate change, a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of
greenhouse gases. Examples include using fossil fuels more efficiently for industrial processes or
electricity generation, 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
atmosphere.
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international agreement adopted in
Montreal in 1987.
MRV
Measurable, reportable and verifiable. A process/concept that potentially supports greater transparency in
the climate change regime.
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N20
Nitrous oxide.
National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs)
Documents prepared by least developed countries (LDCs) identifying urgent and immediate needs for adapting
to climate change.
National communication
A document submitted in accordance with the Convention (and the Protocol) by which a Party informs other
Parties of activities undertaken to address climate change. Most developed countries have now submitted
their fifth national communications; most developing countries have completed their first national
communication and are in the process of preparing their second.
National delegation
One or more officials empowered to represent and negotiate on behalf of a government.
Nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMAs)
At COP 16 in Cancun in 2010,
Governments decided to set up a registry to record nationally appropriate mitigation actions seeking
international support, to facilitate the matching of finance, technology and capacity-building support with
these actions, and to recognize other NAMAs. More information here.
NDC
According to Article 4 paragraph 2 of the Paris Agreement, each Party shall prepare, communicate and
maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. Parties shall
pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions. More
information here.
N.N.
Not named
Non-Annex I Parties
Refers to countries that have ratified or acceded to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change that are not included in Annex I of the Convention.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Organizations that are not part of a governmental structure. They include environmental groups, research
institutions, business groups, and associations of urban and local governments. Many NGOs attend climate
talks as observers. To be accredited to attend meetings under the Convention, NGOs must be non-profit.
(three criteria?)
Non-paper
An in-session document issued informally to facilitate negotiations. A non-paper does not have an official
document symbol. It may have an identifying number or carry the name of its author.
Non-Party
A state that has not ratified the Convention but attends meetings as an observer.
"No-regrets options"
Technology for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions whose other benefits (in terms of efficiency or reduced
energy costs) are so extensive that the investment is worth it for those reasons alone. For example,
combined-cycle gas turbines -- in which the heat from the burning fuel drives steam turbines while the
thermal expansion of the exhaust gases drives gas turbines -- may boost the efficiency of electricity
generating plants by 70 per cent.
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Observers
Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Governments not Parties to the Convention which are permitted
to attend, but not vote, at meetings of the COP, the CMP and the 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).
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
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Party
A state (or regional economic integration organization such as the European Union) that agrees to be bound
by a treaty and for which the treaty has entered into force.
PFC
Perfluorocarbon.
Plenary
A formal meeting of the entire COP, CMP or one of the subsidiary bodies. Formal decisions or conclusions
may only be taken during plenary sessions.
Policies and measures (PAMs)
A frequently used phrase -- sometimes abbreviated as PAMs -- referring to the steps taken or to be taken by
countries to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Some possible
policies and measures are listed in the Protocol and could offer opportunities for intergovernmental
cooperation.
President
The official of a member government elected by the Parties to preside over the COP and the CMP. The
President is often a senior official or minister from the state or region hosting the Conference. The
President may not participate in the negotiations as a representative of the member government during the
term of presidency.
Protocol
An international agreement linked to an existing convention, but as a separate and additional agreement
which must be signed and ratified by the Parties to the convention concerned. Protocols typically
strengthen a convention by adding new, more detailed commitments.
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Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Commitments (QELROs)
Legally binding targets and timetables under the Kyoto Protocol for the limitation or reduction of
greenhouse-gas emissions by developed countries.
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Ratification
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).
Recommendation
A formal act of the COP or the CMP which is weaker than a decision or a resolution, and is not binding on
Parties to the Convention or the Kyoto Protocol.
REDD
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation.
Reforestation
Replanting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some
other use.
REG document
Regular documents have a serial number following the year. They are translated into all six official
languages of the United Nations.
Regional groups
Alliances of countries, in most cases sharing the same geographic region, which meet privately to discuss
issues and nominate bureau members and other officials for activities under the Convention. The five
regional groups are Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Latin America and the Caribbean
(GRULAC), and the Western Europe and Others Group (WEOG).
Registries, registry systems
Electronic databases that tracks and records all transactions under the Kyoto Protocol's greenhouse-gas
emissions trading system (the "carbon market") and under mechanisms such as the Clean Development
Mechanism. "Registry" may also refer to current discussions on a system for inscribing nationally
appropriate mitigation actions.
Research and systematic observation
An obligation of Parties to the Climate Change Convention; they are called upon to promote and cooperate in
research and systematic observation of the climate system, and called upon to aid developing countries to
do so.
Reservation
An exception or concern noted for the record by a Party in the course of accepting a decision of the COP or
the CMP. No reservations are allowed to the Convention itself, or to the Protocol.
Reservoirs
A component or components of the climate system where a greenhouse gas or a precursor of a greenhouse gas
is stored. Trees are "reservoirs" for carbon dioxide.
Resolution
Directives that guide the work of the COP or the CMP-- opinions rather than permanent legal acts. Unlike
decisions, resolutions do not generally become part of the formal body of legislation enacted by the COP or
the CMP.
Review of commitments
Regular scrutiny by Convention Parties of the adequacy of the treaty's Article 4.2 (a) and (b)
outlining developed country commitments to limit greenhouse-gas emissions. The first review took place at
COP-1 and led to a finding that progress was not "adequate" -- and so to negotiations that led to
the Kyoto Protocol, which has more stringent commitments for developed countries.
Rio Conventions
Three environmental conventions, two of which were adopted at the 1992 "Earth Summit" in Rio de
Janeiro: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Convention on
Biodiversity (CBD), while the third, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was
adopted in 1994. The issues addressed by the three treaties are related -- in particular, climate change
can have adverse effects on desertification and biodiversity -- and through a Joint Liaison Group, the
secretariats of the three conventions take steps to coordinate activities to achieve common progress.
Rio+20
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June
4-6, 2012. The first UN Conference on Sustainable Development was the "Earth Summit", held in
1992, and it spawned the three "Rio Conventions"-- the UNFCCC, the UNCCD, and the UNCBD.
Removal unit (RMU)
A Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. RMUs are generated in Annex I
Parties by LULUCF activities that absorb carbon dioxide.
Roster of experts
Experts nominated by Parties to the Climate Change Convention to aid the Secretariat in work related to
review of national reports of Annex I Parties, preparation of reports on adaptation technology, the
transfer of technology to developing countries, and the development of know-how on mitigating and adapting
to climate change.
Rules of procedure
The parliamentary rules that govern the procedures of the COP, the CMP and the subsidiary bodies, covering
such matters as decision-making and participation. The COP has not yet formally adopted rules of procedure,
but all except one (on voting) are currently being "applied." As such, they are commonly referred
to as the "draft rules of procedure being applied".
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SF6
Sulphur hexafluoride.
Second Assessment Report (SAR)
An extensive review of worldwide research on climate change compiled by the IPCC and published in 1995.
Some 2,000 scientists and experts participated. The report is also known as Climate Change 1995. The SAR
concluded that "the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global
climate." It also said "no-regrets options" and other cost-effective strategies exist for
combating climate change.
Secretariat
The office staffed by international civil servants responsible for "servicing" the UNFCCC
Convention and ensuring its smooth operation. The secretariat makes arrangements for meetings, compiles and
prepares reports, and coordinates with other relevant international bodies. The Climate Change Secretariat,
which is based in Bonn, Germany, is institutionally linked to the United Nations.
SIDS
Small island developing States.
Signature
The signing by a head of state or government, a foreign minister, or other designated official indicating a
country's agreement with an adopted international text, such as a Convention or Protocol, and
signalling the country's intention of becoming a Party to the agreement.
Sink
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 are considered sinks because they remove
carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF)
The SCCF was established to finance projects relating to adaptation; technology transfer and capacity
building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic
diversification. This fund should complement other funding mechanisms for the implementation of the
Convention. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), as the entity that operates the financial mechanism of
the Convention, has been entrusted to operate this fund. For more information click here.
"Spill-over effects" (also referred to as "rebound effects" or "take-back
effects")
Reverberations in developing countries caused by actions taken by developed countries to cut greenhouse-gas
emissions. For example, emissions reductions in developed countries could lower demand for oil and thus
international oil prices, leading to more use of oil and greater emissions in developing nations, partially
off-setting the original cuts. Current estimates are that full-scale implementation of the Kyoto Protocol
may cause 5 to 20 per cent of emissions reductions in industrialized countries to "leak" into
developing countries.
Subsidiary body
A committee that assists the Conference of the Parties. Two permanent subsidiary bodies are created by the
Convention: the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and
Technological Advice (SBSTA). Two major temporary bodies that exist currently are the Ad Hoc Working Group
on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP), established at COP 11 in
Montreal, and the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA),
established at COP 13 in Bali. Additional subsidiary bodies may be established as needed.
Square brackets
Typographical symbols [ -- ] placed around text under negotiation to indicate that the language enclosed is
being discussed but has not yet been agreed upon.
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
The SBI makes recommendations on policy and implementation issues to the COP and, if requested, to other
bodies.
Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)
The SBSTA serves as a link between information and assessments provided by expert sources (such as the
IPCC) and the COP, which focuses on setting policy.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.
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Technology transfer
A broad set of processes covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment for mitigating and
adapting to climate change among different stakeholders
Third Assessment Report (TAR)
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.
Track-two JI
One of two approaches for verifying emission reductions or removals under joint implementation, whereby
each JI project is subject to verification procedures established under the supervision of the Joint
Implementation Supervisory Committee. Track two procedures require that each project is reviewed by an
accredited independent entity.
Trust funds
Funds earmarked for specific programmes within the UN system.
TT:CLEAR
Technology Transfer Information Clearing House.
TUNGO
Trade related non-governmental organisations.
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Umbrella group
A loose coalition of non-European Union developed countries formed following the adoption of the Kyoto
Protocol. Although there is no formal membership list, the group usually includes Australia, Canada,
Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States.
UN
United Nations.
UNCCD
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
UNCED
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
UNCTAD
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme.
UNECE
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme.
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Uniform report format
A standard format through which Parties submit information on activities implemented jointly under the
Convention.
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Voluntary commitments
A draft article considered during the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol that would have permitted
developing countries to voluntarily adhere to legally binding emissions targets. The proposed language was
dropped in the final phase of the negotiations. The issue remains important for some delegations and
continues to be discussed, currently in the context of the Bali Action Plan, in terms of what constitutes
"voluntary".
Vulnerability
The degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change,
including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and
rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.
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WCC
World Climate Conference.
WEOG
Western European and Others Group (United Nations regional group).
WHO
World Health Organization.
WMO
World Meteorological Organization.
WSSD
World Summit on Sustainable Development.
WTO
World Trade Organization.
YOUNGO
Youth non-governmental organisation
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