Project Glossary

Adaptation

Responding to current or future impacts of climate change to lessen its effect

Climate Justice

The Climate Justice Alliance describes their work on climate justice as “building a Just Transition away from extractive systems of production, consumption and political oppression, and towards resilient, regenerative and equitable economies. We believe that the process of transition must place race, gender and class at the center of the solutions equation in order to make it a truly Just Transition.”

Civil Society

Groups and individuals not affiliated with government or business leadership, such as nonprofit organizations, communities, unions, and the general public.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

The annual meeting of countries and civil society under the UNFCCC to negotiate international climate agreements. The next COP, COP26, is set to occur in November 2021 in Glasgow.

Gender Action Plan (GAP)

The UNFCCC roadmap for advancing understanding of gender-responsive climate action and supporting women’s equal participation in the UNFCCC

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)

These are the precursors to the NDCs that countries submitted prior to the signing of the Paris Agreement.

Intergenerational Equity

The concept that all generations - older, younger, and future - have a right to a livable planet and the resources needed to thrive.

Loss and Damage

Addressing the harms, such as displacement, disasters, and economic losses already caused by climate change

Mitigation

Reducing emissions to limit the worsening impacts of climate change

Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)

From Article 4 of the Paris Agreement, these are the individual country pledges to reduce emissions and contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. NDCs must be updated to be increasingly ambitious over time and should reflect the “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” of countries.

Paris Agreement (PA)

The strongest international climate agreement to date, signed in 2016, with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 or 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by 2100.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The UN treaty and body dedicated to the“stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

Women and Gender

Gender equality and human rights for women and girls are essential for just and effective climate action.