MEAs Glossary
Glossary
Act whereby a State becomes a Party to an international agreement already negotiated and closed for signature. Accession has the same legal effect as ratification, although an acceding State has not signed the agreement
Adaptation is the process of adjustment to actual or expected climatic changes and its effects. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities.
1) Generic term for an international legally binding instrument. In this sense, encompasses several instruments, such as treaties, conventions, protocols or oral agreements.
2) Specific term used to designate international instruments that are sic “less formal”, thus corresponding to soft law and deal with a narrower range of subject matter than treaties
Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean
Governmental authority designated by a Party to be responsible for receiving the notification of a transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes, and any information related to it, and for responding to such a notification. (Basel Convention)
One of the designations for the main negotiating body under an international agreement. The COP is a policy-making body that meets periodically to take stock of implementation of the agreement and adopt decisions, resolutions, or recommendations for the future implementation of the agreement
An Executing Entity usually refers to the entity charged with the management and administration of the day-to day activities of projects in accordance with specific project requirements in an agreement with the agency responsible for implementation. In most cases, this is the Government.
An official or agency designated by a government to serve as the focus or channel of communications for a particular issue or agreement.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons – gases used as refrigerants in the Refrigerant and Air Conditioning sector.
Implementing agencies usually refer to those agencies tasked with project identification, preparation of project concept, appraisal, preparation of detailed project document, project approval and start-up, project supervision, and project completion and evaluation. Some examples of implementing agencies include: UNDP, UNEP, FAO, World Bank, IDB, etc.
Climate change mitigation involves actions that reduce the rate of climate change. Climate change mitigation is achieved by limiting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions and by enhancing activities that remove these gases from the atmosphere.
Refers to a State (or regional economic integration organization such as the European Union) that has ratified, acceded to, or otherwise formally indicated its intent to be bound by an international agreement, and for which the agreement is in force. Also called “Contracting Party.” While most Parties have signed the instrument in question, it is not usually a necessary step in order to become a Party (see “accession”).
Persistant Organic Pollutant Review Committee, a subsidiary body under the Stockholm Convention.
Formal process by which a Head of State or appropriate governmental official or authority signs a document which signals the consent of the State to become a Party to an international agreement once the agreement has entered into force and to be bound by its provisions.
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. Approach developed on the basis of an open-ended consultative process involving representatives of all stakeholder groups, jointly convened by the 82 Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and UNEP. Adopted in 2006.
In the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Subsidiary Body for Implementation. Advises the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and/or the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in the form of recommendations and draft decisions
In the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice. Advises the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and/or the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol in the form of recommendations and draft decisions
In the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice. Provides advice to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and/or the Meeting of the Parties to the Biosafety Protocol in the form of recommendations.
The body established under an international agreement to arrange and service meetings of the governing body of that agreement, and assist Parties in coordinating implementation of the agreement. Also performs other functions as assigned to it by the agreement and the decisions of the governing body.
Small Island Developing States. Lowlying coastal countries that share similar development challenges and concerns about the environment, especially their vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change. Agenda 21 recognized that SIDS and islands supporting small communities are a special case both for environment and development. Currently 41 SIDS are included in the list used by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
United Nations Development Programme. Created in 1965. Body responsible for coordinating UN development-related work.
United Nations Environment Programme. Established in 1972 to lead and coordinate UN environment-related work.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Set up in 1966 and became a specialized agency of the UN in 1985. Has responsibility for promoting industrialization throughout the developing world.