Your COP25 Dictionary: Making Sense of the Jargon

The document defines key terms related to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, specifically in the context of the COP25 conference. It explains the roles of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and the CMA, the structure of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the goals of the Paris Agreement, including temperature thresholds and net-zero emissions. Additionally, it details technical negotiation points such as the Paris Rulebook, Article 6 carbon markets, the prevention of double-counting, and the $100 billion climate finance target involving the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The Paris Agreement establishes three primary long-term goals: limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees C (aiming for 1.5 degrees C) above pre-industrial levels, increasing adaptation and climate resilience, and aligning finance flows with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans submitted by Parties to the Paris Agreement that outline emissions-reduction targets, adaptation plans, and other goals, with requirements for updated and strengthened versions every five years.
• The 'Paris Rulebook' consists of guidelines for implementing the Paris Agreement; key unresolved issues for COP25 include the establishment of a common time frame for NDCs starting in 2031 and the rules for Article 6 regarding international carbon markets.
• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables the use of carbon markets, but requires rules to prevent 'double-counting,' where two countries claim credit for the same emissions reductions.
• Developed countries committed at COP15 to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to support developing nations' mitigation and adaptation efforts, with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) serving as a primary delivery channel.

APA

World Resources Institute (2019). Your COP25 Dictionary: Making Sense of the Jargon. https://www.wri.org/insights/your-cop25-dictionary-making-sense-jargon

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Your COP25 Dictionary: Making Sense of the Jargon. 2019. https://www.wri.org/insights/your-cop25-dictionary-making-sense-jargon.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Your COP25 Dictionary: Making Sense of the Jargon |date=4 December 2019 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/your-cop25-dictionary-making-sense-jargon |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2019your, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Your COP25 Dictionary: Making Sense of the Jargon}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2019}, month = dec, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/your-cop25-dictionary-making-sense-jargon}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }