Eco Positive Glossary

Kilotonnes = 1,000 tonnes.

An international agreement linked to the UNFCCC and sharing its aim of stabilising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, but requiring separate ratification by governments. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialized countries. It entered into force for ratifying countries in February 2006 and commits developed nations to collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent of 1990 levels by 2012. Came into force in Australia on 11 March 2008.

Three procedures established under the Kyoto Protocolto increase the flexibility and reduce the costs of making greenhouse-gas emissions cuts; they are the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and Emissions Trading.

A variety of units, including AAUs, ERUs, and CERs, which allows for trading of carbon credits among Annex 1 countries to meet their Kyoto Protocol-assigned emissions targets.

A Kyoto Protocolacronym that stands for human-induced 'Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry'. Some of these activities result in greenhouse emissions and some lead to greenhouse gases being removed from the atmosphere. For example, land clearing generates greenhouse gas emissions. Planting trees can lead to greenhouse gases being absorbed from the atmosphere.

A hole in the ground where domestic waste and waste products from industry are put and covered with soil.

The gas that is generated by the decomposition of waste in landfills.

Energy transferred from the earth's surface to the atmosphere through the evaporation and condensation processes.

Decrease or increase of greenhouse gas-related benefits outside the boundaries set for defining a project's net greenhouse gas impacts that result from project activities.

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 50 countries have been designated by the UN General Assembly as LDCs.

A panel of 12 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.

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. 

The letter provides formal approval of the project as a JI or CDM project by the Parties involved.

The letter means confirmation to the project sponsor of the preparedness of the host country to endorse the further development of the project in question.

The Letter may be requested on the basis of a Project Identification Note (PIN) in order to gain assurance from the host country to issue the Letter of Endorsement (LoE).

The EU Emissions Trading Directive 2003/87/EC and its amendment arrange the use of project credits in Phase I (2005-2007) of the EU ETS, as well as provisions relating to project approval processes and authorisation to participate in the flexible mechanisms. They also contain additional provisions relating to the establishment of the national emissions inventory.

A cold period that lasted from about A.D. 1550 to about A.D. 1850 in Europe, North America, and Asia. This period was marked by rapid expansion of mountain glaciers, especially in the Alps, Norway, Ireland, and Alaska. There were three maxima, beginning about 1650, about 1770, and 1850, each separated by slight warming intervals.

Credits issued for an afforestation or reforestation project activity that expires at the end of its crediting period. lCERs are issued for the net anthropogenic greenhouse gas removals by sinks achieved by the project activity during each verification period.

The radiation emitted in the spectral wavelength greater than 4 micrometers corresponding to the radiation emitted from the Earth and atmosphere. It is sometimes referred to as terrestrial radiation or infrared radiation, although somewhat imprecisely.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases, used mostly in transport

See Land use, land use change and forestry.

The marginal abatement cost in the context of the carbon market is the cost of reducing emissions with one additional unit. Aggregated marginal costs over a number of projects or activities define the marginal abatement cost curve.

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.

An intermittently active volcano 13,680 ft (4,170 m) high in Hawaii. Last eruption was in 1984.

The record of measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory, Mauna Loa, Hawaii, since March 1958. The Mauna Loa record is the longest reliable daily record of atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements in the world.

The period from 1654 to 1714 when it was believed that there were no sunspots. It is now thought that there were some sunspots during that time but less than the numbers counted after 1800.

The average height of the sea surface, based upon hourly observation of the tide height on the open coast or in adjacent waters that have free access to the sea. In the United States, it is defined as the average height of the sea surface for all stages of the tide over a nineteen year period. Mean sea level, commonly abbreviated as MSL and referred to simply as sea level, serves as the reference surface for all altitudes in upper atmospheric studies.

MOP is the Supreme Body of the Kyoto Protocol. The first Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol firstly was held in Montreal in December 2005 during the 11th Conference of Parties.

An MoU is an agreement between two parties that aims to formally recognise a joint desire to ultimately conclude an agreement or to achieve goals jointly. It may or may not have legal backing of sanction, depending upon how it is constructed. MoUs between host and investor country are often used as a basis for CDM/JI projects.

A habitat with a moderate amount of water.

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 21.

A by-product of the coal formation process. Coalmines are generally vented to ensure the safety of employees. Methanecan also be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy.

Decomposting matter emits a range of gases including methane. Methane emitted from landfills can be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy.

Certain types of animals release methane, either directly or from manure. This can be captured and then flared into the atmosphere, or burnt to generate energy.

The Methodologies Panel was established to develop recommendations to the Executive Board on guidelines for methodologies for baselines and monitoring plans and prepare recommendations on submitted proposals for new baseline and monitoring methodologies.

Hydroelectric power installations that typically produce up to 100 kW of power and are often installed in small dammed pools, at the top of a waterfall or on a river.

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.

Monitoring refers to the collection and archiving of all relevant data necessary for determining the baseline, measuring anthropogenic emissions by sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) within the project boundary of a project activity and leakage, as applicable.

The practice of producing or growing one single crop over a wide area.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and international agreement adopted in Montreal in 1987.

See National Allocation Plans.

Documents prepared by least developed countries (LDCs) identifying urgent and immediate needs for adapting to climate change. The NAPAs are then presented to the international donor community for support.

Allocation of emission allowances at the national level to individual sites under European Union Emission Trading Scheme.

One or more officials empowered to represent and negotiate on behalf of a government.

The National Carbon Accounting Toolbox provides the tools for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and carbon stock changes from land use and management.

An interaction that reduces or dampens the response of the system in which it is incorporated.

The New Zealand Government has been prepared to negotiate a full or partial exemption from the proposed emissions charge through NGA, because the international competitiveness of some New Zealand firms or industry groupings could be at risk from the emissions charge during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The National Electricity Market is a wholesale market for electricity supply for most of Australia.

The part of the gross primary production that remains stored in the producer organism (primarily green plants) after deducting the amount used during the process of respiration. Abbreviated NPP.

A non-governmental organisation.

Annex I is an Annex in the UNFCCC listing those countries that are signatories to the Convention and committed to emission reductions. The non-Annex I countries are developing countries, and they have no emission reduction targets.

Carbon credits that are sold on the non-regulated market. Lacking certification, these credits can only be sold for voluntary offsetting.

See Voluntary Market.

Carbon dioxide capture and storage system that includes both injection into deep areas of the ocean and increased stimulation of ocean surface waters to grow phytoplankton and take up carbon dioxide.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

A company whose primary purpose is to create or sell offsets, either directly to consumers or through another organizations that wish to offer offsets to their clients.

Offset providers include both offset companies and other businesses that utilize the services of offset companies to provide offsets to their clients.

Carbon offsets, offset credits. Credits issued in return for a reduction of atmospheric carbon emissions through projects such as the provision renewable energy to replace fossil fuel energy, or reforesting cleared land to create a carbon sink. By paying for such emission reducing activities, individuals and organisations can use the resulting credits to offset their own emissions, either voluntarily or under the rules of most emissions trading schemes. One offset credit equates to an emission reduction of one tonne of CO2.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

A molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen. In the statosphere, it occurs naturally and it provides a protective layer shielding the Earth from ultraviolet radiation and subsequent harmful health effects on humans and the environment. In the troposphere, it is a chemical oxidant and major component of photochemical smog.

The science of reconstructing the past flora and past climate from pollen data obtained from lake and bog sediments. The fossil pollen record is a function of the regional flora and vegetation at a given time and location.

Very small pieces of solid or liquid matter, such as particles of soot, dust, aerosols, fumes, or mists.

The reconstructing of past climates at a given locality from modern climatic conditions in a different elevation or latitudinal zone to infer past climatic conditions.

The partial pressure of CO2 in the atmosphere and the ocean. In the atmosphere, the partial pressure of CO2 is defined as the pressure the CO2 would exert if all other gases were removed. The sum of the partial pressure of all the atmospheric gases will equal the atmospheric pressure. The partial pressure of CO2 in the atmosphere is determined by the atmospheric CO2 concentration and atmospheric temperature. In the ocean, the pCO2 is determined by the amount of dissolved CO2 and H2CO3. It varies with alkalinity, latitude, depth, and temperature. Biological processes in the ocean also exert an influence on the pCO2 in the ocean.

See Project Design Document.

Perennially frozen ground that occurs wherever the temperature remains below 0 degrees C for several years.

In relation to carbon offsets, a permit is a legal permission authorising the holder to emit a defined quantity of greenhouse gases. Under an ETS a permit is equivalent to one tonne of CO2e. If a company emits less greenhouse gases than authorised they can sell their permits within the trading scheme.

Perfluorocarbon.

The manufacture by plants of carbohydrates and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll with sunlight as the energy source. Oxygen and water vapor are released in the process. Photosynthesis is dependent on favorable temperature and moisture conditions as well as on the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Increased levels of carbon dioxide can increase net photosynthesis in many plants.

That portion of the plankton community comprised of tiny plants (e.g., algae and diatoms).

The fraction (approximately 30%) of incident solar radiation that is reflected by the earth-atmosphere system and returned to space, mostly by backscatter from clouds in the atmosphere.

The transition region between the turbulent surface layer and the normally nonturbulent free atmosphere. This region is about 1 km in thickness and is characterized by a well-developed mixing generated by frictional drag as the air masses move over the Earth's surface. This layer contains approximately 10% of the mass of the atmosphere. Also called the atmospheric boundary layer or frictional layer.

Passively floating or weakly motile aquatic plants ( phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton ).

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.

An interaction that amplifies the response of the system in which it is incorporated.

Any or all forms of liquid or solid water particles that fall from the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface. It includes drizzle, rain, snow, snow pellets, snow grains, ice crystals, ice pellets, and hail. The ratio of precipitation to evaporation is the most important factor in the distribution of vegetation zones. Precipitation is also defined as a measure of the quantity, expressed in centimeters or milliliters of liquid water depth, of the water substance that has fallen at a given location in a specified amount of time.

The natural development of vegetation and soil on a site that had not previously borne vegetation (e.g., a sand dune or lava flow), which vegetation will be replaced by other, successive plant communities.

Programmatic CDM Projects cover such activities to reduce emissions as implementation of a government measures or private sector initiatives.

A Project Design Document is the official application drawn up by an entity applying for project approval under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). PDDs must be validated by an independent third party, then approved and registered by the CDM Executive Board before a project qualifies for CERs.

This is a short form of project description (about 6 pages) that provides such basic information about the project as type, size and location of the project; estimation of the anticipated total amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG), reduction compared to the “business-as-usual” scenario, etc.

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.

Dateable evidence of a biological or geological phenomenon whose condition, at least in part, is attributable to climatic conditions at the time of its formation. Proxy data are any material that provides an indirect measure of climate and include documentary evidence of crop yields, harvest dates, glacier movements, tree rings, varves, glaciers and snow lines, insect remains, pollen remains, marine microfauna, isotope measurements: 18O, in ice sheets, 18O, 2H, and 13C in tree rings; CaCO3 in sediments; and speleothems. There are three main problems in using proxy data: (1) dating, (2) lag and response time, and (3) meteorological interpretation. Tree rings, pollen deposits from varved lakes, and ice cores are the most promising proxy data sources for reconstructing the climate of the last five millennia because the dating are precise on an annual basis while other proxy data sources may only be precise to +/- 100 years.

An instrument that measures radiation from the earth's surface into space.

Legally binding targets and timetables under the Kyoto Protocol for the limitation or reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by developed countries.

The latest period of geologic time, covering the most- recent 2,000,000 years of the Earth's history. It is divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene - 2 million years ago to approximately 10,000 years ago - and the Holocene - the period from approximately 10,000 years ago to the present. The Quaternary period is the artificial division of time separating prehuman and human periods. It contains five ice ages and four interglacial ages, and temperature indicators seem to show sharp and abrupt changes by several degrees.

The total flow of radiation received on a unit area of a given real or imaginary surface. Also called the irradiance.

The difference between the absorbed solar radiation and the net infrared radiation. Experimental data show that radiation from the earth's natural surfaces is rather close to the radiation from a black body at the corresponding temperature; the ratio of the observed values of radiation to black body radiation is generally 0.90 - 1.0.

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).

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. An initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with forest clearing by the inclusion of “avoided deforestation” in carbon market mechanisms. More simply, payment in return for the active preservation of existing forests.

The re-establishment of forest on land that was previously forested (but converted to another use before 31/12/1989 by UNFCCC definition).

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a cooperative effort by Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states of the United States of America to reduce carbon dioxide emissions establishing of a regional cap-and-trade program initially covering carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the region.

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).

Registration is the formal acceptance by the Executive Board of a validated project activity as a project activity. Registration is the prerequisite for the verification, certification and issuance of credits related to that project activity.

Electronic databases that will track and record all transactions under the Kyoto Protocol's greenhouse-gas emissions trading system (the “carbon market”) and under mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism.

See Compliance Market.

The height of the boundary between sea and air as measured in relationship to a fixed reference point on land.

A unit relating to land use, land use change and forestry activities is equal to one metric tonne of CO2 equivalent. RMUs cannot be banked for use in any subsequent commitment period, but can be converted into Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) within National Registry.

Projects that develop or implement the production of energy from greenhouse gas emissions-free sources, such as wind, hydro, biomass, and solar.

A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate comparable to its rate of consumption. Oxygen, fresh water, timber, and biomass can all be considered renewable resources. However they can become non-renewable resources if used at a rate greater than the environment's capacity to replenish them.

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.

An exception or concern noted for the record by a Party in the course of accepting a decision of the COP. No reservations are allowed to the Convention itself, or to the Protocol.

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.

The size of any specific reservoir or pool of mass (e.g., carbon) divided by the total flux of mass into or out of that pool.

Directives that guide the work of the COP- opinions rather than permanent legal acts. Unlike decisions, resolutions do not generally become part of the formal body of legislation enacted by the COP.

A biochemical process by which living organisms take up oxygen from the environment and consume organic matter, releasing both carbon dioxide and heat. In plants, the organic matter in photosynthate produced during daylight hours.

In the context of carbon offsets, this means to remove a carbon credit or permit from the market. As a result of retirement those offsets cannot be traded any further. Retiring offsets is a means of regulating offsetting and preventing companies and individuals from selling or buying offsets that have already been used.

A direct human-induced activity to increase carbon stocks on sites through the establishment of vegetation that covers a minimum area of 0.05 hectares and does not meet the definitions of afforestation and reforestation.

The ratio of the instantaneous fractional change in the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) exerted by seawater to the fractional change in total CO2 dissolved in the ocean waters. The buffer factor relates the partial pressure of CO2 in the ocean to the total ocean CO2 concentration at constant temperature, alkalinity and salinity. The Revelle factor is a useful parameter for examining the distribution of CO2 between the atmosphere and the ocean, and measures in part the amount of CO2 that can be dissolved in the mixed surface layer.

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.

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.

See Removal Units.

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.

The parliamentary rules that govern the procedures of the COP, 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."

That part of precipitation, snowmelt, or irrigation water that flows from the land to streams or other surface waters.