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January 25, 2022

Abatement

Refers to reducing the degree or intensity of greenhouse-gas emissions.
January 25, 2022

Acceptable risk (ISDR)

The level of loss a society or community considers acceptable given existing social, economic, political, cultural, technical and environmental conditions. In engineering terms, acceptable risk is […]
January 31, 2022

Accreditation (SWG)

A process under which entities have to demonstrate that they have the ability to manage the Green Climate Fund (GCF) resources in accordance with standards and […]
January 31, 2022

Accredited Entities (AE) (SWG)

An institution accredited by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to access funding from the GCF, these institutions will go through a process of accreditation, designed […]
January 25, 2022

Acid rain (TAF/OFDA)

A washout of an excessive concentration of acidic compounds in the atmosphere, resulting from chemical pollutants such as sulphur and nitrogen compounds. When deposited these increase […]
January 25, 2022

Ad hoc Working Group on further commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP)

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 […]
January 25, 2022

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.
January 25, 2022

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.
January 31, 2022

Adaptation (SWG)

Adjustments to ecological, social and economic systems in such a manner as to build resilience of human communities and natural ecosystems so as to moderate or […]
January 25, 2022

Adaptation Committee (AC)

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 […]
January 25, 2022

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. […]
January 25, 2022

Aerosol

A collection of airborne particles. The term has also come to be associated, erroneously, with the propellant used in aerosol sprays.
January 25, 2022

Afforestation

Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests.
January 25, 2022

African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

A group of countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific that was created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. The groupÕs main objectives are sustainable […]
January 25, 2022

Agriculture

The sector of an economy that includes crop production, animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, and forestry.
January 25, 2022

Agriculture and Hazards

A hazard that can be expected to have its primary impact on crops or livestock. (includes pests, diseases and some environmental and chemical hazards).
January 25, 2022

Air Transportation

The movement of passengers and / or goods by aircraft.
January 25, 2022

Alert

Message that advises people and organisations when an event is expected to affect a community, area or facility in the near future and that they should […]
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Annex I Countries

Annex I of the FCCC lists the countries who were members of the OECD in 1992, 11 countries undergoing the process of transition to a market […]
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Anthropogenic greenhouse emissions

Greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from human activities.
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Article 6 Supervisory Committee

A committee providing international oversight of Òtrack-twoÓ joint implementation projects. Joint implementation projects are carried out by sponsoring and recipient developed countries under Article 6 of […]
January 25, 2022

ASEAN Regional Forum

A region-wide, Asia-Pacific multilateral forum for official consultations on peace and security issues. Its objectives are to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security […]
January 25, 2022

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

A multilateral economic and trade forum for 21 member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. APEC members jointly work towards the establishment of […]
January 25, 2022

Asian Development Bank

A regional development bank founded in 1966 to facilitate economic development in Asia and the Pacific. ADB assists developing member countries to evolve into thriving modern […]
January 25, 2022

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

An independent non-governmental organization that works closely with local, national and regional governments, governmental and non-governmental organizations, donors and development partners, to deploy disaster risk management […]
January 25, 2022

Asian Disaster Reduction Center

The Center is based in Japan and comprises 30 member and 5 advisor countries. It aims to enhance disaster resilience of the member countries, to build […]
January 25, 2022

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

A political and economic organisation of 10 Southeast Asian member states. With a regional approach it aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution […]
January 25, 2022

Atmospheric pollution (TAF/OFDA)

Contamination of the atmosphere by large quantities of gases, solids and radiation produced by the burning of natural and artificial fuels, chemicals and other industrial processes […]
January 25, 2022

Australasian Fire Authorities Council

The central body responsible for representing fire, emergency services and land management agencies in the Australasian region. AFAC comprises of 34 full members and 13 affiliate […]
January 25, 2022

Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee

A senior officials group comprising representatives from the Australian Commonwealth, state and territory governments, the Australian Local Government Association and New Zealand. It works to strengthen […]
January 25, 2022

Australian Agency for International Development

Prior to October 2013, was an executive Australian Government Agency responsible for managing AustraliaÕs overseas aid program. It is now integrated into the Department of Foreign […]
January 25, 2022

Australian Federation of Air Pilots

A professional association and industrial organisation for commercial pilots in Australia. It aims to represent and promote the interests of Australian professional flight crew and to […]
January 25, 2022

Australian Government Counter Disaster Task Force(see Commonwealth Counter-Disaster Task Force)Australian Maritime Safety Authority

A statutory authority established under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990.ÊIt is responsible, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government of Australia, for the regulation and […]
January 25, 2022

Australian Search and Rescue

A centralised Rescue Coordination centre based in Canberra, Australia, which coordinates AustraliaÕs civil search and rescue activities.
January 25, 2022

Australian-Pacific Centre for Emergency and Disaster Information

APCEDI was previously a service of AFAP – the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific and FSPI – the Foundation for the […]
January 25, 2022

Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4360:1990)

The Australian/New Zealand Standard for risk management was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee OB/7 on Risk Management. It is from AS/NZS 4360:1990 […]
January 25, 2022

Bali Action Plan (BAP)

Included in the Bali Road Map, agreed at the Conference of the Parties in Bali, Indonesia in 2007 (COP13), introduced AWG-LCA.
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Barbados Programme of Action

A programme specific to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that comprehensively addresses the economics, environmental, and social development vulnerabilities facing small islands as well as outlining […]
January 25, 2022

Berlin Mandate

Adopted at COP-1, the mandate that launched negotiations leading to the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
January 25, 2022

Bingo

Business and industry non-governmental organisations.
January 25, 2022

Biomass

The total weight or volume of organisms in a given area or volume.
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Bonn fund

A special UNFCCC fund for contributions from the Government of Germany to cover costs of UNFCCC events held in Bonn.
January 25, 2022

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 […]
January 25, 2022

Building Codes

Ordinances and regulations controlling the design, construction, materials, alteration and occupancy of any structure for safety, welfare and integrity. Building codes include both technical and functional […]
January 25, 2022

Bunker fuels

A term used to refer to fuels consumed for international marine and air transport.
January 25, 2022

Bureau of Meteorology

Australia’s national weather, climate and water Executive Government Agency. It is responsible for providing services and expertise to assist the Australian region and Antarctic Territory in […]
January 27, 2022

Capacity (ISDR)

A combination of all the strengths and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or the effects of […]
January 27, 2022

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 […]
January 27, 2022

Capacity building (ISDR)

Efforts aimed to develop human skills within a community or organization needed to reduce the level of risk. In extended understanding, capacity building also includes development […]
January 27, 2022

Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative

An inter-agency initiative of UNDP/BCPR,ÊOCHA and the UNISDR secretariat. CADRI’s mission is to advance knowledge of, and strengthen sustainable capacity development for, disaster risk reduction worldwide.
January 27, 2022

Carbon cycle

The term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere and geological deposits.
January 27, 2022

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 […]
January 27, 2022

Carbon sequestration

The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir.
January 27, 2022

Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

An institution that coordinates the Caribbean regionÕs response to climate change. It is primarily concerned with maintaining a repository of climate change information and data and […]
January 27, 2022

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency

An agency focused on disaster management organisation which serves the Caribbean Community. Its main function is to make an immediate and coordinated response to any disastrous […]
January 27, 2022

Caribbean Risk Management Initiative

A capacity development programme launched by UNDP and designed to build capacity across the Caribbean region for the management of climate-related risk. It is a platform […]
January 27, 2022

Cartagena Group

A collection of 27 countries seeking ambitious outcomes from the UNFCCC process and low carbon domestic output. Founded in 2010. Participating countries include Antigua and Barbuda, […]
January 27, 2022

CBD

Convention on Biological Diversity.
January 27, 2022

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters

A non-profit research institution of the UniversitŽ catholique de Louvain (UCL). CRED has been active for over thirty years in the fields of international disasterÊand conflict […]
January 27, 2022

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 […]
January 27, 2022

CFC

Chlorofluorocarbon.
January 27, 2022

CH4

See Methane.
January 27, 2022

Charm (SOPAC)

A comprehensive hazard and risk management tool and/or process within the context of an integrated national development planning network/process.
January 27, 2022

Chemical Pollution

Pollution of soil, water or air by chemical substances that may have an adverse effect on organic life or the environment.
January 27, 2022

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) (TAF/OFDA)

A group of chemical compounds used in industry and in the household, of which the excessive and universal use is believed to be one of the […]
January 27, 2022

Civil Crisis

An emergency caused by the breakdown of normal law and order or the civil processes.
January 27, 2022

Civil Defence and Emergency Management (NZ)

A New Zealand Ministry which provides policy advice to government, supports CDEM planning and operations, ensures there is coordination at local, regional and national levels, and […]
January 27, 2022

Civil Disorder

A riot, violent protest, demonstration or illegal assembly that may affect public safety.
January 27, 2022

Civil Society OrganizationDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

An Australian Government department that develops and implements policies and programmes that ensure AustraliaÕs agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable. This […]
January 27, 2022

Civil Society/NGOsClean Development Mechanism (CDM)

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 […]
January 27, 2022

Climate

Climate is usually defined as the “average weather”, or more rigorously, as the statistical description of the weather in terms of the mean and variability of […]
January 27, 2022

Climate Change

The long-term significant change in the average weather for a region.
January 31, 2022

Climate Change (CC) (SWG)

A change in an average weather condition in addition to natural climate variability observed over a comparable period, generally of 30 years, which is attributed directly […]
January 27, 2022

Climate change (FCCC usage)

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 […]
January 27, 2022

Climate change (IPCC usage)

Climate change as referred to in the observational record of climate occurs because of internal changes within the climate system or in the interaction between its […]
January 27, 2022

Climate sensitivity

In IPCC reports, climate sensitivity usually refers to the long-term (equilibrium) change in global mean surface temperature following a doubling of atmospheric CO2 (or equivalent CO2) […]
January 27, 2022

CO2

Carbon dioxide.
January 27, 2022

CO2 fertilization

The enhancement of plant growth as a result of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration.
January 27, 2022

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 […]
January 27, 2022

Coastal Erosion

The removal of earth from coasts by meteorological, hydrological or human action.
January 27, 2022

Common Reporting Format (CRF)

Standardized format for reporting estimates of greenhouse-gas emissions and removals and other relevant information by Annex I Parties.
January 27, 2022

Commonwealth Counter-Disaster Task Force

A senior Australian interdepartmental committee which may be activated during the response and recovery phase of a disaster. It comprises representatives of Commonwealth Government departments and […]
January 27, 2022

Communications

The imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium
January 27, 2022

Community (TAF/OFDA)

áÊÊÊÊÊ The district or locality in which people live. áÊÊÊÊÊ A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government. áÊÊÊÊÊ A […]
January 27, 2022

Community Awareness

The extent to which a defined group of people has been informed of, and has understood, information about a particular topic.
January 27, 2022

Community-based disaster risk management

A methodology or approach that seeks to build on existing community coping mechanisms and adaptation capacities. It also aims to build local resilience.
January 27, 2022

Community-based DRR

Managing disaster risk by increasing local capacity and resilience and reducing vulnerability to natural hazards. The approach engages the local community in managing local disaster risk […]
January 27, 2022

Comparative Research Programme on Poverty

A scientific programme of the International Social Science Council (ISSC) aiming to produce critical knowledge for understanding, eradicating and preventing poverty. It is structured as a […]
January 27, 2022

Complex Emergency

Complex emergencies combine internal conflict with large-scale displacements of people, mass famine or food shortage, and fragile or failing economic, political, and social institutions. Often, complex […]
January 27, 2022

Compliance

Fulfilment by countries/businesses/individuals of emission reduction and reporting commitments under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
January 27, 2022

Compliance Committee

A committee that helps faciitate, promote and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol. It has 20 members with representation spread among various regions, […]
January 27, 2022

Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Management

A comprehensive hazard and risk management tool for use within an integrated national development planning process. It aims to facilitate greater collaboration between risk reduction projects […]
January 27, 2022

Conference of the Parties (COP)

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 […]
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