Glossary topic · 19 terms
Climate policy.
Treaties, directives and the institutions that write them. The rulebook behind every serious claim.
1.5°C goal
The Paris Agreement aim of pursuing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Climate policyCarbon pricing
Policies that attach an explicit price to greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate policyCarbon tax
A tax linked to the carbon content of fuels or greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate policyClimate justice
An approach examining how climate causes, impacts and responses distribute rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
Climate policyConference of the Parties
The governing meeting of parties to an international convention.
Climate policyCSRD
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, an EU law requiring companies in scope to publish sustainability information under common European standards.
Climate policyEmpowering Consumers Directive
Directive (EU) 2024/825, which amends EU consumer law concerning environmental claims and related practices.
Climate policyEU Emissions Trading System
An EU cap-and-trade system regulating emissions from covered activities.
Climate policyFree-rider problem
The incentive to benefit from a shared good, such as a stable climate, while leaving the cost of providing it to others.
Climate policyGlobal stocktake
The Paris Agreement process for assessing collective progress towards its goals.
Climate policyGreen Claims Directive
The name commonly used for a separate EU legislative proposal on substantiating and communicating explicit environmental claims.
Climate policyLoss and damage
Harm associated with climate impacts that goes beyond or occurs despite mitigation and adaptation responses.
Climate policyNational emissions inventory
A country's account of greenhouse gas emissions and removals under defined reporting rules.
Climate policyNationally determined contribution
A country's climate contribution communicated under the Paris Agreement.
Climate policyParis Agreement
The international climate treaty adopted in 2015, establishing shared goals and a system of national climate plans.
Climate policyPolluter pays principle
The principle that those responsible for pollution should bear relevant prevention and remediation costs.
Climate policySustainable Development Goals
The 17 goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 to address poverty, health, education, climate, nature and other priorities by 2030.
Climate policyUNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme, which coordinates environmental work across the UN system and supports countries on environmental policy.
Climate policyUNFCCC
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the international treaty under which countries negotiate their shared response.