Climatepedia

Large-scale climate system changes occurring over a few decades or less, persisting for decades and causing substantial disruptions.[IPCC SR1.5]

The process of adjusting to current or expected climate change effects. Adaptation can help reduce harm or exploit beneficial opportunities associated with climate change.[IPCC AR6]

The ability of systems, institutions, humans, and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, take advantage of opportunities, or respond to consequences.[IPCC AR6]

A criterion for assessing whether an emissions reduction or removal would have occurred without the intervention. Critical for credible carbon offsets and climate finance.

Tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere. They can be natural (volcanic ash, sea spray) or human-made (smoke, soot). Aerosols influence climate by scattering or absorbing radiation and affecting cloud formation.[IPCC AR6]

The establishment of a forest on land that has not been forested for a long period or has not historically contained a forest. This process creates new forests and can help mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.[IPCC SR1.5]

The proportion of solar radiation that is reflected by a surface. High albedo surfaces (like ice and snow) reflect more sunlight back to space, helping cool the Earth.[NASA Climate]

The industrialized countries and economies in transition under the Kyoto Protocol that have specific emission reduction commitments.[UNFCCC]

Greenhouse gas, aerosol, and precursor emissions produced by human activities. Highlighted in IPCC reports as the primary driver of climate change.[IPCC AR6]

An international coalition of small island and low-lying coastal states particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise and other climate impacts.[UNFCCC]

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth, essential for supporting life and regulating the planet's climate. It is composed of several layers and is highly sensitive to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations.

The process of evaluating the relative contributions of multiple causal factors to observed climate changes and events.[IPCC AR6]

A reference scenario that projects future emissions assuming no additional climate policies or measures beyond those already in place.

Technology combining biomass combustion for energy production with capture and underground storage of the resulting CO₂. One of the negative emission technologies.[IPCC SR1.5]

The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. Climate change threatens biodiversity through habitat loss, altered seasonal patterns, and increased extreme weather events.

Fuel derived from organic matter (biomass), such as plants, agricultural waste, or algae. Biofuels are considered renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Organic material from plants and animals that can be used for energy production or as feedstock. Biomass can act as a renewable energy source when managed sustainably.

Light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol produced by incomplete combustion; contributes to atmospheric warming and snow or ice darkening.[IPCC SROCC]

Carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds.[IPCC SROCC]

Hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage of the resulting CO₂. A lower-carbon alternative to grey hydrogen.

A market-based mechanism where a cap is set on emissions and businesses or countries can buy and sell allowances to emit within that cap.[UNFCCC]

The estimated amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted globally while still having a reasonable chance of limiting global temperature rise to a specific target (e.g., 1.5°C or 2°C).[IPCC SR1.5]

Technology that captures CO₂ emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, then transports and stores it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.[IPCC AR6]

A greenhouse gas produced naturally through respiration and volcanic eruptions, but also through human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The primary greenhouse gas responsible for human-induced climate change.

Human activities that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and durably store it for decades to millennia.[IPCC AR6]

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or product over a given period, typically expressed in CO₂-equivalent.

A measure of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced per unit of economic output (e.g., per unit of GDP) or energy generated.

The phenomenon where strict emissions regulations in one country cause industry to relocate to countries with weaker regulations, potentially shifting emissions rather than reducing them.

A state where activities result in no net release of CO₂ to the atmosphere. This can be achieved by reducing emissions and balancing remaining emissions with removals.

Compensating for emissions by funding an equivalent emissions reduction elsewhere, for example through planting trees or investing in clean energy projects.

A climate policy approach that places a monetary cost on greenhouse gas emissions to encourage polluters to reduce their use of fossil fuels.[WMO]

The process of storing carbon dioxide, either naturally (in forests and soils) or through technological means such as geological injection.

Any natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases, such as forests, oceans, and soil.

The European Union's mechanism to prevent carbon leakage by applying a carbon price to imports of high-carbon products.[EU]

A Kyoto Protocol mechanism allowing developed countries to finance emissions reduction projects in developing countries and receive credits in return.[UNFCCC]

An economic system where materials are designed to be kept in circulation through processes like reuse, refurbishment, and recycling, thereby eliminating waste.

The long-term pattern of weather in a particular region, typically averaged over a period of 30 years or more.[WMO]

A long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and wind.[IPCC AR6]

A process within the climate system that can either amplify (positive feedback) or dampen (negative feedback) an initial warming or cooling trend.[IPCC AR6]

Financial resources provided to help developing countries address climate change mitigation and adaptation.[UNFCCC]

A framework that addresses climate change as an ethical and political issue, focusing on the inequity that the least responsible for the crisis are often the most vulnerable to its impacts.

A computer simulation that uses mathematical equations to represent the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice.[IPCC AR6]

The capacity of social, economic, and ecological systems to anticipate, cope with, and recover from a hazardous climate event or trend.[IPCC AR6]

The equilibrium change in global mean surface temperature following a doubling of atmospheric CO₂ concentration.[IPCC AR6]

A critical threshold in the climate system that, when crossed, can trigger a large-scale, often abrupt, and potentially irreversible change.[IPCC AR6]

A common unit for comparing the climate impacts of different greenhouse gases.[IPCC AR6]

The supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which meets annually.[UNFCCC]

The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by transitioning to energy sources and industrial processes that produce little or no CO₂.

The permanent removal of trees to clear land for agriculture, urbanization, or other purposes.

Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climate change and human activities.[IPCC SRCCL]

Technology that captures CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. One of the negative emission technologies.[IPCC AR6]

An integrated system that predicts future hazards and provides timely warnings. An important adaptation tool for climate risk management.[IPCC AR6]

Chronic fear or anxiety related to environmental issues and climate change. A psychological response to perceived threats from global environmental crises.

Benefits that people derive from ecosystems, including provisioning services (food, water), regulating services (climate regulation), cultural services, and supporting services.[IPCC AR6]

A recurring natural climate pattern involving fluctuating ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.[WMO]

The release of greenhouse gases and their precursors into the atmosphere over a specified area and period.

The difference between the emissions levels required to meet a specific temperature target and the projected emissions under current pledges.[UNEP]

A market-based approach to controlling pollution that provides economic incentives for reducing emissions.[EU]

The practice of using less energy to perform the same task or provide the same level of service.

The shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and low-carbon energy sources.[IEA]

The intensification of the natural greenhouse effect due to increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities.

A weather or climate event that is rare at a particular place and time. Frequency and intensity increase with climate change.[IPCC AR6]

Processes in the climate system that amplify (positive) or dampen (negative) an initial change.[IPCC AR6]

Synthetic greenhouse gases including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). They have high global warming potentials.[IPCC AR6]

Flammable, carbon-containing materials like coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the buried remains of prehistoric organisms over millions of years.

Unintended or accidental releases of gases during extraction, processing, transmission or storage of fossil fuels.

A coalition of developing nations (Group of 77 plus China) that coordinates negotiating positions in international forums, including climate negotiations.[UNFCCC]

An observed reduction in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface in some regions, linked to air pollution and aerosols.

A comprehensive assessment under the Paris Agreement conducted every 5 years to evaluate countries' progress toward climate goals.[UNFCCC]

The long-term warming of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period due to human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels.[IPCC AR6]

A metric for comparing the warming impacts of different greenhouse gases relative to carbon dioxide, usually over a 100-year time horizon.[IPCC AR6]

The world's largest dedicated climate fund, established by the UNFCCC to support developing countries' climate action.[UNFCCC]

An economic model that is low-carbon, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive, aiming for sustainable development without degrading the environment.

Hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using renewable electricity, resulting in zero-carbon hydrogen.[IEA]

A classification system defining sustainable economic activities, used to guide green investments.[EU]

The warming of Earth's surface and lower atmosphere as greenhouse gases trap heat that would otherwise escape to space.[NASA Climate]

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.[IPCC AR6]

A quantified list of an organization's or country's greenhouse gas emissions and their sources, developed using standardized methods.[IPCC]

Practices and marketing that mislead consumers or investors about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company.

The phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas.

Temperature reconstructions showing a long-term flat trend followed by a sharp recent rise, producing a chart resembling a hockey stick.

Synthetic gases containing carbon, hydrogen, and fluorine, primarily used for refrigeration. They don't deplete the ozone layer but are potent greenhouse gases.[IPCC AR6]

The United Nations body established to assess climate change science and provide information to policymakers.[UNFCCC]

Policies and processes that protect workers' rights and livelihoods during the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.[ILO]

An international agreement adopted in 1997 requiring industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.[UNFCCC]

The sector covering greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use and forestry activities.[IPCC AR6]

Harm from climate change impacts that cannot be prevented through adaptation. The Loss and Damage Fund was established at COP27.[UNFCCC]

The second most important greenhouse gas after CO₂; released from agriculture, fossil fuel production, and waste management. Has 80 times stronger warming effect than CO₂ over 20 years.[IPCC AR6]

Human interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sinks to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases.[IPCC AR6]

Actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems to address climate change.[IUCN]

Countries' commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.[UNFCCC]

A state achieved when more CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere and stored than is emitted.[IPCC AR6]

A state where human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removals from the atmosphere.[IPCC SR1.5]

A potent greenhouse gas released mainly from agricultural activities and fertilizer use. Has about 270 times stronger warming effect than CO₂.[IPCC AR6]

The decrease in ocean pH caused by absorption of excess atmospheric CO₂. Threatens marine life, especially shellfish.[IPCC SROCC]

The protective layer of ozone molecules in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

The international climate agreement adopted in 2015 aiming to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels.[UNFCCC]

Ground that remains frozen for at least two years. Its melting can release large quantities of methane and CO₂, accelerating climate change.[IPCC SROCC]

Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Forms the basis of solar panels.

The period before large-scale industrial activity, typically referenced as 1850-1900.[IPCC AR6]

A change in Earth's energy balance; positive values lead to warming, negative values to cooling.[IPCC AR6]

A program to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.[UNFCCC]

The re-establishment of forest on land that was previously forested but converted to other uses.

Energy derived from naturally replenishing sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass.

Scenarios describing future greenhouse gas concentrations used in climate modeling studies.[IPCC AR5]

Classification of corporate emissions: Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy), Scope 3 (value chain).[GHG Protocol]

The increase in average sea level due to ice melt and thermal expansion caused by global warming.[IPCC SROCC]

A framework describing future societal development scenarios used in climate modeling and impact assessments.[IPCC AR6]

Geoengineering approaches that aim to cool the Earth by reflecting some solar radiation back to space.[IPCC AR6]

Fossil fuel assets that lose value or become unusable due to climate policies or market changes.

The principle of meeting current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.

The transfer of climate-friendly technologies and knowledge from developed to developing countries.[UNFCCC]

The expansion of water as it warms; a significant component of sea level rise caused by global warming.[IPCC SROCC]

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992, forming the foundation for international climate negotiations.[UNFCCC]

The degree to which a system is susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, including variability and extreme events.[IPCC AR6]

The short-term state of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind. Unlike climate, it shows daily variability.[WMO]

Electricity generated from the kinetic energy of moving air using wind turbines.

Energy sources, processes, or products that produce no carbon emissions.