Glossary
For further information on the terms and topics listed below, please click on the respective link or jump to the terms that begin with:
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
To download the full glossary as a pdf, please go to the briefing sheet section.
- Assigned amount units (AAU)
- Access to Finance
- Adaptation
- Afforestation
- Amendment
- Annex I Party
- Annex II Parties
- AWG
- Ad hoc Working Group on further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)
- Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA)
- Bali Action Plan (BAP)
- Bali Roadmap
- Baseline
- Base year
- Bunker fuels
- Capacity building
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Carbon dioxide equivalent (COe)
- Carbon market (Carbon trading)
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- City Climate Catalogue
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
- Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP)
- Conference of the Parties (COP)
- Constituency
- COP Decision
- Declaration
- Deforestation
- Developed Countries
- Developing Countries
- Economy in transition
- Emissions trading
- Emission reduction unit (ERU)
- Entry into force
- Environmental Integrity Group
- Financial Mechanism
- First Commitment Period
- Flexible Mechanisms
- Focal Point
- Fossil Fuels
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
- Global Temperature Potentials (GTP)
- Global Warming Potential (GWP)
- Group of 77 (G-77) – Group 77 + China
- Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
- International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
- Joint implementation (JI)
- Kyoto Protocol
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
- Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF)
- Local Government Climate LOUNGE
- Market-based mechanism
- Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Kyoto Protocol
- Measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV)
- Mitigation
- MOP Decision
- Multiplication and Discount Factors
- Multi-window (financial) mechanisms
- Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA)
- National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs)
- Non-Annex I Country
- Non-paper
- Observers
- (Carbon) Offsetting
- Policies and measures (PAMs)
- Party
- Plenary
- Potential Consequences
- ppm (parts per million)
- Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
- Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Objectives (QELROs) or respectively Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Commitments (QELRCs)
- Research and Development (R&D)
- Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
- REDD Plus Conservation (REDD plus)
- Reforestation
- Resolution
- Sectoral Approaches
- Shared Vision
- Sink
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Spillover effects
- Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
- Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA)
- Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs)
- Technology Cooperation/ Technology Transfer
- UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- UNFCCC Decision
- Umbrella group
- World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement
Assigned amount units (AAU)
The total amount of emissions of greenhouse gases for a particular country, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent, that are permitted during the period specified by the Kyoto Protocol (the so called first commitment period, 2008-2012). The AAU is a country’s greenhouse gas emissions budget for that period. It is calculated by taking a country’s 1990 emissions and subtracting (or adding) the agreed percentage of reduction (or limitation) specified in Annex B.
Access to Finance
Developed country Parties specified in Annex II of the Protocol are required to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the Convention. To facilitate this, the Convention established financial mechanisms like the Adaptation Fund to provide funds for developing countries. At the moment, financial mechanisms are under review, making scope, distribution and access to finance important negotiation topics.
Adaptation
The term refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, moderating harm or exploiting beneficial opportunities.
Adaptation Fund
The Adaptation Fund was established to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties to the Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The Adaptation Fund is financed from the share of proceeds on the clean development mechanism project activities
and other funding sources.
Afforestation
Planting of new forests on land that has historically not contained forests.
Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
An ad hoc coalition of low-lying small island countries. These nations are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and share common positions on climate change.
Amendment
This term refers to a modification by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the text of the UNFCCC. If consensus cannot be reached, an amendment must win three-quarters of the votes of all Parties present and casting ballots.
Annex I Party
Industrialised countries listed in Annex I to the UNFCCC. These countries have committed to return their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. In the Kyoto Protocol, these countries accepted country-specific emissions targets for the period 2008-2012. Annex I Countries include the 24 original OECD members, the European Union, and 14 countries with economies in transition.
Annex II Parties
The countries listed in Annex II to the UNFCCC, which have a special obligation to provide financial resources and facilitate technology transfer to developing countries, including the 24 original OECD members plus the European Union. All Annex II parties are also Annex I Parties, but not all Annex I Parties are also Annex II parties.
AWG
Ad hoc Working Group
Ad hoc Working Group on further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)
The AWG-KP was established by Parties to the Protocol in Montreal in 2005 to consider further commitments of industrialised countries under the Kyoto Protocol for the period beyond 2012, and is set to complete its work in Copenhagen in 2009.
Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA)
The AWG-LCA was established in Bali in 2007 to conduct negotiations on a strengthened international deal on climate change, to be concluded in Copenhagen in 2009.
Bali Action Plan (BAP)
The Bali Action Plan is part of the Bali Roadmap that was adopted at COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007. The BAP charts the course for a new negotiating process designed to tackle climate change, with the aim of completing this by 2009. The action plan is founded on a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal for emission reductions.
Bali Roadmap
The Bali Roadmap is a two-year process which aims to finalise a binding, international agreement on climate change for the post-2012 period at COP 15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009. It was adopted at COP 13 in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007. It consists of a number of forward-looking decisions that represent the various tracks that are essential to reaching a secure climate future, including the Bali Action Plan. Outlining broad parameters for the shape of the climate regime after 2012, it attaches equal importance to mitigation and adaptation, and identifying technology and finance as the key mechanisms to enable developing countries to respond to climate change.
Baseline
Generally speaking, a baseline is the norm you are comparing information against. To create a climate scenario, the baseline period is needed to define the observed climate with which climate change information is combined. When using climate model results for scenario construction, the baseline also serves as the reference period from which the modelled future change in climate is calculated. The choice of baseline may be governed by the availability of data or by political reasoning.
Base year
Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are defined in relation to emissions in a base year. In the Kyoto Protocol, 1990 is used as the base year for most countries and most greenhouse gas emissions. Countries with economies in transition (mostly the former Soviet Union) may be permitted to select an alternate base year and all countries are allowed to use 1995 as the base year for some of the minor greenhouse gases.
Bunker fuels
A term used to refer to fuels consumed for international marine and air transport.
Capacity building
The skills, experience, technical and management capacity that are developed within an organisational structure - often through the provision of technical assistance, short/long-term training, and specialist inputs. The process may involve the development of human, material and financial resources.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
The main greenhouse gas, a combination of carbon and oxygen. CO2 is the byproduct of any combustion process, such as energy production using fossil fuels, car engines or when a forest is burned of. The concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere have risen from 280 ppm (parts per million) to 360 ppm since 1900. Scientists agree that increases above the target of 450 ppm may result in a massive disruption of the global climate.
Carbon dioxide equivalent (COe)
A measurement that allows addition of the different greenhouse gases according to an estimate of their relative effect, over time, on the climate. The amount of emissions of each gas is multiplied by a global warming potential factor of that particular gas. The measurement takes CO2 as a basis for the comparison with other GHGs.
Carbon market (Carbon trading)
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 Capture and Storage (CCS)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a theoretical and technological approach to remove dangerous greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. from the fossil fuel and coal power plants) before they get into the atmosphere. Thus, it is an approach for mitigation.
City Climate Catalogue
The Copenhagen World Catalogue of City Commitments to Combat Climate Change is a virtual tool portraying the climate commitments of the world’s cities and local governments. It includes GHG reduction goals, as well as policies and methods applied to reach these goals. The aim is to capture and disseminate useful information on as many local targets as possible, with a focus on energy savings, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. This collection of local climate commitments will help build a strong case for local climate action. The catalogue was launched by the city of Copenhagen and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.
Further information at www.climate-catalogue.org
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
According to Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, 2 the ‘purpose of the CDM shall be to assist Parties not included in Annex I in achieving sustainable development ... and to assist Parties included in Annex I in achieving compliance with their commitments’. Thus, industrialised countries can finance emissions avoiding projects in developing
countries, receive emission credits for that and count them towards their mandatory limits on their own emissions. As part of a complex implementation system, every CDM project has to be approved by a national authority. Thus, Local Governments (LG) cannot submit a CDM project directly to the Executive Board of CDM but need
to co-ordinate with their national government.
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP)
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 co-ordination between the Convention and the Protocol. Also referred to as Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Kyoto Protocol
Conference of the Parties (COP)
The COP is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. It consists of all countries that have adopted the UNFCCC. Currently, the COP meets once a year to review the Convention’s progress. The next meeting will be the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) from 7-18 December 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Constituencies
During UNFCCC intergovernmental climate negotiations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) admitted as observers at sessions of the Convention bodies have formed themselves into loose groups to ‘bundle’ their activities. These groups are acknowledged as constituencies. To maintain effective interaction with the UNFCCC Secretariat, each constituency has its own focal point. For local governments, the constituency is Local Government and Municipal Authorities (LGMA).
COP Decision
A formal agreement adopted by the COP that (unlike a resolution) leads to binding actions. It becomes part of the agreed body of decisions that direct the work of the COP.
Declaration
A non-binding political statement made by ministers attending a major meeting.
Deforestation
Conversion of forest to non-forest
Developed Countries
This term is not clearly defined by the UNFCCC. Usually, the term is used to describe countries that have a high level of (economic) development, such as Japan, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union. Possible criterions for defining developed countries are income per capita, GDP per capita and the degree of industrialisation.
Developing Countries
This term is not clearly defined by the UNFCCC. Usually, the term is used to determine recipients of financial, technological and capacity building support. The term should not to be confused with the term non-Annex I countries since not all non-Annex I countries are considered or consider themselves to be developing countries.
Economy in transition
An economy in transition is an economy that is changing from a centrally planned economy to a free market. The term usually covers the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union which have not joined the European Union yet. However, the term may also be used in a wider context.
Emissions trading
One of the three Kyoto mechanisms, by which an Annex I Party may transfer emission reduction units to or acquire units from another Annex I Party. The trading units are called Assigned Amount Units. This trading scheme is a useful tool for entities in developed countries to off-set parts of their emissions (as an additional activity to emission reduction actions) and is likely to involve private companies due to the initial investment needed. Most countries implemented emission trading schemes that are designed for big carbon dioxide emitters. Exceptions are the United Kingdom and Japan that permit carbon trading with smaller organisations and LGs. Although, there are significant problems with implementation, including the quality of data available
and the readiness of the public sector, more of these schemes that specifically address LGs are needed as they also foster direct city-to-city cooperation.
Emission reduction unit (ERU)
Kyoto Protocol unit equal to 1 metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. ERUs are generated for emission reductions or emission removals from joint implementation projects.
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.
Environmental Integrity Group
This coalition (or negotiating alliance) consists of Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland.
Financial Mechanism
Annex II Parties are required to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties implement the Convention. To facilitate this, the Convention established a financial mechanism whose operation is assigned to the Global Environment Facility on an on-going basis. The financial mechanism is accountable to the COP. See also Multi-window financial mechanism.
First Commitment Period
The Kyoto Protocol presently requires 35 industrialized countries and the European Community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5% below 1990 levels in its first commitment period between 2008 and 2012. The commitments for the second commitment period are currently under negotiation. In order to avoid a gap between the two commitment periods, a new international framework needs to have been negotiated and ratified before the end of the first commitment period (before 2012).
Flexible Mechanisms
Refers to the three market based mechanisms ( JI, CDM and emission trading) established under the Kyoto Protocol. They should provide the Parties with flexibility to achieve their targets.
Focal Point
During UNFCCC intergovernmental climate negotiations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) admitted as observers at sessions of the Convention bodies have formed themselves into loose groups to ‘bundle’ their activities. These groups are acknowledged as constituencies that have their own focal points to maintain effective
interaction with the UNFCCC Secretariat. For local governments, the constituency is Local Government and Municipal Authorities (LGMA), with ICLEI being the focal point. Countries also have national focal points that are listed on the UNFCCC website.
Fossil Fuels
Fuels derived from organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen found in the Earth’s crust are the remains of plants and animals from past geological periods. These include coal, petroleum (oil) and natural gas. Coal is the most carbon intensive fuel (emits most carbon dioxide per unit energy when burned), followed by oil and natural gas.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year. Thus, it equals the total consumer, investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports. It is used as a basic measure of a country’s economic performance.
Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
The GEF is a global partnership among 178 countries, international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. The GEF is also the designated financial mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) or conventions and as such it assists countries in meeting their obligations under the conventions that they have signed and ratified.
Global Temperature Potentials (GTP)
GTP estimates the change in global mean temperature as a result of emissions of a greenhouse gas for a selected year in the future. As with other approaches, the chosen time frame greatly influences the results.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
A scientific measure of how much mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming in relation to the same mass of carbon dioxide (which has a GWP of 1). A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval, with choice of time frame greatly influencing the results. The substances subject to restrictions in the Kyoto protocol either are rapidly increasing their concentrations in Earth’s atmosphere or have a large GWP. Over a time horizon of 100 years Methane has a GWP of 21, Nitrous Oxide has a GWP of 310. Other GHG are even more powerful/ potent.
Group of 77 (G-77) – Group 77 + China
A large negotiating alliance of developing countries that focus 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.
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).
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
IPR protect the intangible property created by corporations or individuals that is protected under copyright, trade secret and patent laws. IPR are most often under discussion when it comes to the issue of technology transfer from developed to developing countries.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Established in 1988, the IPCC surveys worldwide 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.
For more information, see www.ipcc.ch<cite></cite>
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
The ICAO is a UN specialised Agency that codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure the safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation through co-operation amongst its member States. ICAO’s headquarters are located
in Montreal, Canada.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
The IMO is the United Nations’ specialised agency with headquarters in London, England. Its primary purpose is the development and maintenance of a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping, including issues of safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and efficiency. The IMO was established in Geneva in 1948, coming into force ten years later.
Joint implementation (JI)
A mechanism laid out in Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol through which a developed country (Annex I) can receive emissions reduction units when it helps to finance projects that reduce net greenhouse-gas emissions in another Annex I country. In practice, the recipient state is likely to be a country with an economy in transition.
The complex system for JI implementation requires approval by a national authority. Thus, LG cannot submit a JI project directly to the UNFCCC but need to co-ordinate with their national government. Examples of JI projects that included LG participation, e.g. in Poland, show that these projects can be beneficial for LG: Selling all or part of reduced GHG emissions can help to finance local GHG emission reduction projects and stimulate local development. However, there are significant problems with implementation, including the quality of data available and the readiness of the public sector.
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement that is linked to the UNFCCC but requires separate ratification by national governments. The Kyoto Protocol, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by industrialised countries. The three most important procedures to increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse gas emissions cuts are: Clean Development Mechanism, Emissions Trading and Joint Implementation.
Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
The world’s poorest countries defined by criteria such as low income, human resource weakness and economic vulnerability. Currently 50 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.
Land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF)
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.
Local Government Climate LOUNGE
The Local Government Climate LOUNGE was a meeting space located in the COP 15 building in Copenhagen, at the heart of groundbreaking negotiations. Thus, local governments (LGs) and their associations had a unique advocacy base during UN Climate negotiations for dialogue and interaction with their national government, with
other national governments, with other local governments, NGOs and the international press. The LOUNGE helped to support the advocacy work of LGs as they convince nations of the need for LG references in the final climate agreement text. The LOUNGE also gave the opportunity for the organisation of specific events related to local governments and climate change, as well as to present successful local climate actions in form of case stories of e-posters.
For further information, please go to www.iclei.org/cop15
Market-based mechanism
The Kyoto Protocol created three distinct flexibility mechanisms to reduce the costs of meeting emissions targets: emission trading, CDM and Joint Implementation. Market-based mechanisms were created to identify the cheapest mitigation opportunities amongst existing options under the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities. Effective trading approaches require an overall cap on emissions (cap-and-trade systems).
Mitigation
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.
Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Kyoto Protocol
A commonly used but incorrect name for the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP).
MOP Decision
A formal agreement adopted by the MOP that (unlike a resolution) leads to binding actions. It becomes part of the agreed body of decisions that direct the work of the MOP.
Measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV)
The climate negotiations up to Copenhagen will need to elaborate on MRV mitigation commitments and actions as part of the future of the climate regime. MRV applies to the provision of the means of implementation, including technology and finance. MRV mitigation actions should result in measurable deviations below baseline scenarios. Inventories will be needed to measure, and enhanced national communications to report, while the challenge will be to make mitigation actions verifiable.
Multiplication and Discount Factors
These factors are discussed regarding a post-2012 climate agreement. They may be applied to certain projects to account for the risk of access crediting (market-based mechanism).
Multi-window (financial) mechanisms
An integrated approach to address loss and damage from climate change impacts in SIDS and other developing countries particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They consist of three inter-dependent and complementary components, namely insurance, rehabilitation/ compensation and risk management. Taken together, the three components aim to enhance adaptive capacity.
Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA)
NAMAs are policies, legal requirements and measures by developing countries that integrate emission reductions within specific national sustainable development policies and measures. Different to quantified emissions reductions by developed countries, NAMAs are defined in the context of sustainable development, and developed countries should support them by providing technology, financing and capacity building.
National adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs)
In 2001, COP 7 established the NAPAs program to provide a process for the Least Developed Countries to identify and prioritize their adaptation needs.
Non-Annex I Country
Refers to countries that have ratified or acceded to the UNFCCC that are not included in Annex I of the Convention.
Non-paper
A non-paper is an informally issued document that does not impose any kind of decision or legal commitment by the Parties. It is an in-session document that is only issued to facilitate negotiations.
Observers
Agencies, non-governmental organizations, and governments that are not Parties to the Convention which are permitted to attend - but not to vote at - meetings of the COP and its subsidiary bodies. Observers may include the UN and its specialized agencies; other intergovernmental organizations; and accredited non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). Observer organizations can facilitate the nomination for accessing a COP for their constituency.
(Carbon) Offsetting
(Carbon) Offsetting is the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing credits from others through emission reduction projects, or carbon trading schemes. The term often refers to voluntary acts, arranged by a commercial carbon offset provider.
Policies and measures (PAMs)
Refers 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.
Party
A state (or regional economic organization like the EU) that has agreed to be legally bound by a multilateral agreement. The respective agreement – for example the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol – must have been ratified by the Party and entered into force.
Plenary
Formal meeting of the entire COP or one of its subsidiary bodies. Formal decisions or conclusions may only be taken during plenary sessions.
Potential Consequences
AWG-KP Workshop to support the consideration and assessment of information on potential and actual environmental, economic and social consequences of climate change, including spillover effects, tools, policies, measures and methodologies available to Annex I Parties.
ppm (parts per million)
A way of expressing low concentrations of one particular compound in another, usually in air or water.
Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
This principle was established in Art. 3.1 of the Convention and Art. 10 of the Kyoto Protocol as an articulation of the concept of equity. Countries have different responsibilities regarding environmental protection as not every country has contributed to environmental degradation to the same extent and because not all countries have the same resources to devote to environmental problems. Both, the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol, reflect the principle in several ways and mechanism like CDM and Access to Funding.
Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Objectives (QELROs) or respectively Quantified Emissions Limitation and Reduction Commitments (QELRCs)
QELRCs are quantified and legally binding commitments for greenhouse gas emissions limitation or reduction by developed countries as listed in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol. The QELRC for each country is expressed as a percentage (e.g. 92% for the EU) that defines the average annual permitted emissions during the commitment period when compared with emissions during the base year 1990. The term QELROs refers to general greenhouse gas targets and timetables before the Kyoto Protocl and is sometimes used interchangeably.
Research and Development (R&D)
R&D is creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. All R&D activity must include an appreciable element of novelty. The R&D concept in climate science encompasses R&D in one or more of the following areas: the scientific basis, vulnerability, impact, adaptation, mitigation. It may encompass the fields of technology, natural science, health care, the agricultural and veterinary area and within knowledge of human beings, culture and society, and/or in connection with administration, economic planning, systems analyses, sales and marketing.
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
The Bali Roadmap and the Bali Action Plan include references to REDD, specifically calling for, “Policy approaches and positive incentives on issues related to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries; and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.” There is extensive discussion about the scope of REDD and whether there should be a primary set of measures against deforestation/degradation, and a secondary set for other forest-based mitigation options.
REDD Plus Conservation (REDD plus)
There is ongoing discussion over how to credit activities to prevent tropical deforestation in developing countries, especially in Brazil, the Congo Basin and Southeast Asia. Globally deforestation accounts for more greenhouse gas emissions than the transport sector.
Reforestation
The act or process of re-establishing a forest on land that has been deforested in the last 50 years.
Resolution
Unlike a COP Decision, resolutions do not generally become part of the formal body of legislation enacted by the COP as they are rather opinions than permanent legal acts. They are used as directives that guide the work of the COP.
Sectoral Approaches
Mitigation actions, such as emissions caps (see also market-based mechanism) and intensity targets, applied to an entire global sector. Proponents of sectoral approach suggest that they limit the competitive distortions within an industry that may occur when a sector operates in a number of countries with differentiated national actions on climate change.
Shared Vision
A shared vision for long-term cooperative action was agreed in the Bali Roadmap and Bali Action Plan in December 2007 by COP13. The shared vision must recognize the right to development along with the centrality of sharing the atmospheric resources. It must be in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, taking into account social and economic conditions and other relevant factors. Thus, a core balance on the Copenhagen deal has to be struck between the imperatives of development and climate.
Sink
Any process, activity or mechanism that 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. Further examples include oceans and soils. Under the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries can include changes in emissions from certain activities in the land-use change and forestry sector, when calculating whether they will meet their targets. Calculating the effects of sinks is methodologically complex and still needs to be clarified.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
SIDS are small island and low-lying coastal countries that share similar sustainable development challenges, including small population, lack of resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, excessive dependence on international trade and vulnerability to global developments. These States and territories often work together
through the Alliance of Small Island States.
Spillover effects
Economic impacts 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 offsetting
the original cuts. Current estimates are that fullscale implementation of the Kyoto Protocol may cause 5 to 20 per cent of emissions reductions in industrialised countries to ‘leak’ into developing countries.
Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)
The SBI is a permanent subsidiary body established by the UNFCCC. Its role is to assist the COP (and, if requested, other bodies to the Convention) in assessing and reviewing the Convention’s implementation. It addresses organizational, institutional and budgetary matters.
Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs)
TNA refers to the implementation of country-specific actions that shall evaluate the challenges of technology transfer and develop sector-specific solutions.
Technology Cooperation/ Technology Transfer
A process of constructive interaction with local, national and international partners to select and apply appropriate technologic systems for economic development. It includes both ‘hard’ (equipment) and ‘soft’ technology (software, management assistance, training). The current negotiations focus on Article 4.5 of the Convention in which developed country Parties commit to take steps to promote, facilitate and finance as appropriate, access to environmentally sound technologies in developing countries, to enable them to implement the provisions of the Convention.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Intergovernmental negotiating committee treaty signed at the 1992 Earth Summit, with the ultimate objective to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous man-made interference with the climate system. While no legally binding level of emissions is set, the treaty states the aim of returning these emissions to 1990 levels. After the Convention had been ratified by the minimum requirement of 50 countries and entered into force the Conference of the Parties became its permanent, supreme decisionmaking body, working to achieve Convention goals.
For further information, please got to www.unfccc.int
UNFCCC Decision
A formal agreement adopted by the COP that (unlike a resolution) leads to binding actions. It becomes part of the agreed body of decisions that direct the work of the COP.
Umbrella group
A loose coalition of Annex I, non-European Union 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. This group is the most powerful counterpart to the G77 and the EU.
World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement
This agreement expresses the conviction that local governments are key players in the implementation of climate strategies, and that their role has to be recognized among the international community. It calls for a number of actions, including the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 1990 levels worldwide and by 80% from 1990 levels in industrialized countries by 2050.
The Agreement was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, on 12 December 2007 by a coalition of local governments organizations, including ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Mayors Council on Climate Change and C40 Climate Leadership Group.
For further information, please go to www.globalclimateagreement.org
