Glossary

Here are the definitions for some words and terms that are commonly used in connection with climate change.

Adaptation: Planning and preparing for climate change to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities arising from change.
Carbon neutrality: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and “offsetting” the emissions that can’t be easily reduced. Being carbon neutral means that the amount of greenhouse gases emitted is equivalent to that absorbed (see Emissions offsets below).
Emissions: The greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Emissions offsets: Individuals and businesses are able to offset the emissions they produce through other activities that have a positive impact. This usually means paying a registered organisation to reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere by the same amount that the activities add. For example, some airlines now offer travellers an option to offset the emissions generated through flying.
First commitment period (CP1): This is the first period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), where member countries become liable for their greenhouse gas emissions.
Forest sinks: Forests are called sinks because of their ability to absorb carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Trees convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbon stored in the form of wood and soil organic matter.
IPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an international body which assesses scientific, technical and socioeconomic information about climate change.
Kyoto Protocol: An international agreement to address global warming and delay climate change.
Kyoto-compliant units: Also called carbon credits. Each unit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. The units are internationally tradable and can be used to pay for greenhouse gas emissions at the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012).
Kyoto/liability provision: The anticipated liability, or cost, expected by countries in 2008-2012.
Mitigation: Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the magnitude of climate change.
Net position: The level of greenhouse gas emissions countries are expected to be emitting in 2008-2012 relative to New Zealand’s Kyoto Protocol obligations.
Renewable energy: Energy obtained from sources that can be replenished, like water, wood, wind, geothermal or solar energy.
Sustainability: Meeting the needs of communities or countries without compromising the wellbeing of future generations.
UNFCCC: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an international treaty for tackling climate change. The Kyoto Protocol is an addition to this treaty.

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