Glossary

The process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In some natural systems, human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects. (Definition according the World Bank Glossary)

The ability of systems, institutions, humans and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to respond to consequences. (Definition according the World Bank Glossary)

Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests. See: IPCC Special Report on Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry; Definitions and Methodological Options to Inventory Emissions from Direct Human-induced Degradation of Forests and Devegetation of Other Vegetation Types. (Definition according the World Bank Glossary)

Emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change, and forestry activities, which may include or exclude agricultural emissions. AFOLU plays a central role for food security and sustainable development. The main mitigation options within AFOLU involve one or more of three strategies: 1) prevention—of emissions to the atmosphere by conserving existing carbon pools in soils or vegetation or by reducing emissions of methane and nitrous oxide; 2) sequestration—increasing the size of existing carbon pools and thereby extracting carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere; and 3) substitution—substituting biological products for fossil fuels or energy-intensive products, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. Demand-side measures (e.g., reducing losses and wastes of food, changes in human diet, or changes in wood consumption) may also play a role. (Definition according the World Bank Glossary)

The current geologic age, used to describe the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have significant impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems. (Definition according the World Bank Glossary)

Baseline scenarios can be compared to mitigation scenarios that are constructed to meet different goals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, atmospheric concentrations or temperature changes. The term baseline scenario is used interchangeably with 

BURs are reports to be submitted by non-Annex I Parties, containing updates of national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories, including a national inventory report and information on mitigation actions, needs and support received. Such reports provide updates on actions undertaken by a Party to implement the Convention, including the status of its GHG emissions and removals by sinks, as well as on the actions to reduce emissions or enhance sinks.

Is used interchangeably with reference scenario and no policy scenario. In much of the literature the term is also synonymous with the term 'Baseline' scenario.

The Climate Bonds Taxonomy identifies the assets, activities and projects needed to deliver a low carbon economy. Consistent with the  goals of the Paris Agreement. It has been developed based on the  latest climate science including research from the  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)  and the International Energy Agency (IEA), and has  benefited from the input of hundreds of technical  experts from around the world. It can be used by any  entity looking to identify which assets and activities,  and associated financial instruments, are compatible  with a trajectory to net zero by 2050.

Carbon credits or emission reductions achieved by CDM projects and verified by a DOE (Designated Operational Entity) under the rules of the Kyoto Protocol.

As defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries UNFCCC Definition).