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Definitions
Below is a directory of terms used in the field of climate change. Most of the definitions have been taken from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, with a few from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the European Commission.
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world today. Long-term development planning must now include measures to deal with it.
F
Flexibility Mechanisms
Refers to the three cooperative implementation mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol (Joint Implementation, International Emissions Trading and Clean Development Mechanism) including the notion of differentiated commitments.
Forcing Mechanism
A process that alters the energy balance of the climate system, in other words changes the relative balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation from Earth. Such mechanisms include changes in solar irradiance, volcanic eruptions, and enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect by emission of carbon dioxide. See also Radiative Forcing.
Fossil Fuel
A general term for combustible geologic deposits of carbon in reduced (organic) form and of biological origin, including coal, oil, natural gas, oil shales, and tar sands. A major concern is that such fuels emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burnt, thus significantly contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC)
The international treaty unveiled at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the ‘Rio Summit’), in June 1992. The FCCC commits signatory countries to stabilise anthropogenic (q.v.) greenhouse gas emissions to 'levels that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system'. It also requires that all signatory parties develop and update national inventories of anthropogenic emissions of all greenhouse gases not otherwise controlled by the Montreal Protocol.
