COP28: A guide to UN climate jargon, from NDCs to ‘unabated’ emissions

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Decades of global climate negotiations have produced a perplexing collection of phrases and acronyms, as countries grapple with new science and policy goals aimed at limiting industrial emissions and preparing for a warmer world.

On the eve of UN climate conference – COP28, scheduled to begin in Dubai, UAE, it helps to familiarise with climate action terms, that form part of the official language of negotiations between attendees.

Here’s a rough guide to the jargon being used in Dubai at COP28

Global warming: This term describes the gradual increase in the global average temperature, which is now more than 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average preindustrial temperature. The term “climate change” is used more broadly to describe global warming and its consequences, including variable weather extremes.

Greenhouse gases: These heat-trapping gases, known as GHGs in short, cause atmospheric warming through the greenhouse effect. GHGs include a myriad of gases, but the most impactful — methane and carbon dioxide — are also referred to as “carbon emissions” because both molecules contain carbon. The world’s excess carbon emissions come mostly from the burning of fossil fuels and other industrial activities.

UNFCCC: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the treaty adopted in 1992 agreeing to halt climate change. It has since been joined by nearly 200 countries.

Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR): Based on a “polluter-pays” principle, this idea enshrined in the UNFCCC treaty envisions wealthy countries doing more to rein in climate change because they contributed the most emissions historically to the atmosphere. In 2015, negotiators added that action should be taken “in light of different national circumstances,” which implies that fast-growing economies like China and Brazil can now do more.

IPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the main scientific body under the UNFCCC. Comprised of scientists from the UNFCCC signatories, the IPCC releases reports every six to seven years detailing global scientific consensus on climate science. The last reports were released in 2021 and 2022.

COP: The Conference of the Parties describes the annual summit of UNFCCC signatories, with this year’s COP28 meeting in Dubai marking the 28th such gathering since the UNFCCC treaty took effect in 1994.

Paris Agreement: The result of COP21 talks in Paris, this 2015 treaty sees countries agreeing to try to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (3.6F) above the preindustrial average, with a goal of holding it to 1.5C (2.7F). It also calls for national emissions-cutting pledges to be updated every five years.

NDCs: Nationally Determined Contributions are country pledges for reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. They are submitted by governments to the UNFCCC.

Global Stocktake: Under the Paris Agreement’s call for increasingly ambitious emissions cuts, the global stocktake is to be conducted every five years to gauge global progress on limiting warming. COP28 in Dubai will see the first such audit.

Unabated emissions: Negotiators are increasingly using the adjective “unabated” before “emissions” to describe carbon pollution not being captured by new technologies such as carbon capture and storage.

Phase out: The gradual reduction in the production and use of fossil fuels. COP26 in Glasgow saw countries commit to phasing down coal use.

Mitigation: This refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow if not halt global warming, and is the focus of the global energy transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Adaptation: Preparing for or “adapting” to the conditions of a warmer world, including more heat waves and higher sea levels, can include strategies such planting trees for shade or safeguarding supply chains against extreme weather disruptions.

Net zero: Net zero does not mean releasing zero emissions, but rather releasing no more than the amount being recaptured by CO2 abatement technologies, tree planting, or other means. Reaching net zero would mean atmospheric GHG concentrations stop increasing. Most countries aim to achieve net zero by 2050.

Carbon offsets: Carbon offset schemes involve compensating governments or companies for investments that generate emissions reductions elsewhere, for example by restoring a forest stand of trees or growing seaweed offshore. Projects that reduce emissions can qualify for carbon credits, which can be sold on carbon markets or used toward bringing down a company’s or government’s reported emissions.

Loss and damage: Governments at COP27 last year agreed to create a fund to help poorer nations already being hit by climate-fueled disasters, but details are still being decided, including who will pay into the fund and how it will be managed.

Green climate fund: Another fund, established under the Paris Agreement, to disperse $100 billion in annual climate finance from wealthy nations to help developing countries fund the energy transition and projects for adapting to a warmer world.