Includes all non-living woody biomass not contained in the litter, either standing, lying on the ground, or in the soil. Dead wood includes wood lying on the surface, dead roots, and stumps larger than or equal to 10 cm in diameter or any other diameter used by the country. Source IPCC

A formal agreement that (unlike a resolution) leads to binding actions. Source: UNFCCC

A non-binding political statement made by officials attending a major meeting (e.g. the Geneva Ministerial Declaration of COP-2). Source: UNFCCC

The breaking down of substances into its constituent elements or parts.

The direct human-induced conversion of forested land to non-forested land. Source: UNFCCC Decision 11/CP7.

Conversion of forest to another land use or the long-term reduction of the tree canopy cover below the minimum threshold. Source: Schoene et al., 2007, FAO.

An office, ministry or other official entity appointed by a Party to the Kyoto Protocol to review and give national approval to projects proposed under the Clean Development Mechanism. Source: UNFCCC

Designated Operational Entity. An independent entity accredited by the CDM Executive Board to validate proposed CDM project activities as well as verify emission reductions of registered CDM projects.

Independent evaluation of a JI project by an Accredited Independent Entity to ensure that the Project Design Document fulfils all JI project requirements as per Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol and the JI guidelines. Source: Point Carbon

Countries with high economic and social development. General indicators include high levels of per capita income, literacy, education, healthcare, life expectancy, infrastructure and industrialisation. See Annex 1 countries of the Kyoto Protocol.

Countries with low economic and social development. General indicators include low per capita income, education, healthcare, nutrition and life expectancy; as well as limited infrastructure and industrialization.  See Non-Annex 1 countries of the Kyoto Protocol.

National Climate Change Council, Indonesia

The problem where a single set of real emissions reductions on the ground is counted and even rewarded twice. Examples: in local projects plus national-level accounting, under multiple schemes such as a voluntary market and a compliance scheme, in multiple registries and exchanges.

A smaller group established by the President or a Chair of a Convention body to meet separately and in private to prepare draft text -- text which must still be formally approved later in a plenary session. Source: UNFCCC