The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has published clear, concise definitions of the key terms and acronyms used in UN climate talks and beyond. Compiled by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) team ahead of the Bonn Climate Change Conference, the glossary is a resource for those who sometimes can get lost in the jargon and “acronym soup” of climate negotiations.

Organized alphabetically, the ‘Climate Negotiations Glossary’ offers the option to browse any of its seven sections individually (0 to A, B to D, E to H, I to L, M to P, Q to S, and T to Z). ‘More info’ links for some of the definitions guide users to relevant resources.

As an illustration, the glossary defines ‘adaptation’ as follows: “The process of adjusting to actual or expected climate change impacts. It most often aims to minimize potential damage, but can also serve to leverage beneficial opportunities. Within the UNFCCC, there are a number of workstreams and constituted bodies that address matters related to adaptation. (more info)”

For ‘loss and damage,’ the resource states: “Climate change impacts that are not or cannot be avoided through mitigation and adaptation. Within the UNFCCC, there are a number of workstreams and constituted bodies that address matters related to loss and damage, including the Warsaw International Mechanism, Santiago Network, and a dedicated fund that is currently being operationalized. (more info)”

The following definition of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) is provided: “NDCs are the climate plans that parties bring forward to implement the Paris Agreement. The Agreements stipulates that all parties shall prepare and communicate progressively more ambitious NDCs every five years and developed countries should continue taking the lead by undertaking economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets, with developing countries encouraged to move over time towards economy-wide emission reduction or limitation targets in light of different national circumstances. Research, assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the first Global Stocktake showed that current NDCs and their level of implementation do not put the world on track to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The next round of NDCs is to be submitted by 2025. (more info)”

The glossary was published online on 31 May 2024, in advance of the meetings of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies, convening from 3-13 June in Bonn, Germany. ENB climate experts Jennifer Bansard and Tomilola Akanle Eni-ibukun co-authored the publication. [Publication: Climate Negotiations Glossary] [ENB Coverage of Bonn Climate Change Conference]