Putting science
at the heart of development
Definitions
Below is a directory of terms used in the debate about reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). Most of the terms have been reproduced from the UN University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), and the Meridian Institute.
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world today. Long-term development planning must now include measures to deal with it.
C
Cap and trade
An emissions trading system where an international or national regulator establishes an overall cap on emissions, issues emission units or rights, and allows the transfer and acquisition of such rights.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
The greenhouse gas whose concentration is being most affected directly by human activities. Carbon dioxide also serves as the reference to compare all other greenhouse gases (see carbon dioxide equivalents). The major source of carbon dioxide emissions is fossil fuel combustion. Carbon dioxide emissions are also a product of forest clearing, biomass burning, and non-energy production processes such as cement production. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have been increasing at a rate of about 0.5 per cent per year, and are now about 30 per cent above pre-industrial levels.
Carbon markets
Any market in which carbon emissions trading, usually in the form of carbon credits, takes place. Markets consist of voluntary markets (where emissions reductions targets are not regulated) and compliance markets (where carbon credits are traded to meet regulated emissions reductions targets). The largest carbon market is currently (2009) the EU's Emissions Trading System.
Carbon Sequestration
The uptake and storage of carbon. Trees and plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide, release the oxygen and store the carbon. Fossil fuels were at one time biomass and continue to store the carbon until burned.
Carbon Sinks
Carbon reservoirs and conditions that take in and store more carbon (carbon sequestration) than they release. Carbon sinks can serve to partially offset greenhouse gas emissions. Forests and oceans are common carbon sinks.
Carbon source
A reservoir that gives up carbon to another reservoir within the carbon cycle. For example, if the net exchange is between the biosphere and the atmosphere is towards the ocean, then the atmosphere is the source.
Carbon Stock
Carbon stocks include carbon stored in vegetation (above and below ground), decomposing matter, soil, wood products and the carbon substituted by burning wood for energy instead of fossil fuels.
Certified Emission Reduction (CER)
A CER is a unit of greenhouse gas reductions that has been generated and certified under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). One CER equals one tonne of carbon. Two special types of CERs can be issued for net emission removals from afforestation and reforestation CDM projects: (i) temporary certified emission reduction (tCERs); and (ii) long-term certified emission reductions (lCERs)
Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM)
Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol provides for the CDM, which would enable developed countries to invest in emissions reducing projects in developing countries in order to obtain credit to put towards meeting their assigned targets. The details of the CDM have yet to be negotiated, but in principle allows countries to use credits obtained from the year 2000 to meet their Kyoto targets, if they choose to do so.
Co-benefits
Benefits from implementing REDD schemes beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as poverty alleviation, biodiversity protection and improvement in forest governance.
CO2 equivalent
Not all greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere equally — methane for example, has a greater warming effect than carbon dioxide. CO2 equivalent, or 'CO2e' accounts for this and means that other greenhouse gases can be converted to the equivalent amount of CO2, based on their relative contribution to global warming. This provides for a single, uniform means of measuring emissions reductions for multiple greenhouse gases.
Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN)
A collaboration between developing nations that contain rainforests to reconcile forest stewardship with economic development. As of November 2008, participants included 41 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania. Sometimes the coalition acts as a single group in UNFCCC negotiations. It is behind a number of REDD submissions.
Compliance-grade MRV
A monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) process that ensures reliable climate benefit associated with real and measurable emission reductions, and enhancement of removals (quantified in tons of CO2 equivalent).
Conference of the Parties (COP)
The collection of nations that have ratified the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), that was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The COP currently has more than 150 countries represented, and about 50 additional observer states. Its primary role is to keep the implementation of the Convention under review and to take the decisions necessary for the effective implementation of the Convention.
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
