CDE Glossary

The Adaptation Fund finances projects and programmes that help vulnerable communities in developing countries adapt to climate change (Adaptation Fund).

The ability of systems, regions, or communities to adapt to the effects or impacts of climate change (IPCC).

Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the variability among living organisms from, for example, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems. It includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Convention on Biological Diversity).

Biodiversity conservation refers to the practice of protecting and managing the variety of life on Earth, including species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. This field aims to prevent extinction, maintain ecosystem functions, and promote sustainable use of natural resources (UNSESCO).

Refers to the reduction of any aspect of biological diversity (i.e. diversity at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels) in a particular area through death (including extinction), destruction or manual removal. It can occur at many scales, from global extinctions to local population extinctions, leading to a decline in total diversity at the same scale (UNDRR).

Refers to various concepts such as the global carbon budget and the remaining carbon budget.

• Global carbon budget: Assessment of carbon cycle sources and sinks on a global level.
• The maximum amount of carbon dioxide that can still be emitted while keeping global warming within a specific temperature limit (remaining carbon budget) (IPCC).

The natural flow of carbon through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, terrestrial and marine biosphere, and lithosphere (IPCC). This cycle is increasingly shaped and disrupted by human activities - particularly fossil fuel combustion, industrial production, and land-use change.

Carbon pricing mechanisms that allow governments and non-state actors to buy and sell greenhouse gas emission credits to meet regulatory or voluntary emission reduction targets. This includes compliance and voluntary carbon markets, as well as international carbon market mechanisms established under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (UNEP).

The process of capturing and storing carbon in a carbon pool (e.g. forests, soils, oceans, or geological formations) (IPCC).

A system to tackle climate change and other global environmental challenges by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It is focused on keeping products and material in circulation through processes such as maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting (Ellen MacArthur Foundation).

Refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change (UNFCC).

Reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from human activities in order to stabilise GHG concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system (IPCC).

Refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change (UNFCC).

Justice that links development and human rights to achieve a human-centered approach to addressing climate change, safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable people and sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change and its impacts equitably and fairly (IPCC).

Climate change litigation refers to a diverse group of cases before courts, regulatory bodies and their tribunals. Some seek accountability, others aim for damage reparation or seek to test legal tools for the achievement of Paris Agreement objectives.