UNFCCC Terminology Guide

All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time the advice was produced (please refer to the date produced below). However, the materials have been prepared for informational purposes only and may have been superseded by more recent developments. They do not constitute formal legal advice or create a lawyer-client relationship. You should seek legal advice to take account of your own interests. To the extent permitted any liability is excluded. Those consulting the database may wish to contact LRI for clarifications and an updated analysis.

Date produced: 04/11/2024

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Explore key terms and expressions used in climate negotiations and their outcomes. This guide serves as a valuable resource for government and non-government participants involved in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, including Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group negotiators. It offers an in-depth look at the specialised terminology used in climate negotiations, focusing on the key terms and expressions unique to the field of climate law.

Now in its second edition, this updated guide expands on its predecessor by incorporating new terminology, buzzwords, and examples that have emerged since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015. It provides a comprehensive reference for understanding climate law and policy language.

This document was co-produced with the International Institute for Environment and Development (iied) and originally published on iied’s website, ahead of COP 29.