Glossary and reference

Abbreviations K-Z: K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Letter of Approval
If an LoA is issued as part of the JI project process by the host government, it demonstrates that the government approves of the transfer of carbon credits equivalent to the reduction in GHG emissions arising from the project. For CDM projects, an LoA from the host government is required before the project can be registered with the CDM Executive Board.
 

Letter of Endorsement
An LoE confirms that in principle the host government is happy to formally consider the project proposal (for a CDM or JI track 2 project).
 

Land Use, Land Use Change & Forestry
Under the Kyoto Protocol, certain human-induced activities in the land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere (afforestation, reforestation and tackling deforestation) may be used by Annex I countries to contribute to meeting their emission targets.
 

Memorandum of Understanding
An MoU is essentially an agreement between two parties that aims to formally recognise a joint desire to ultimately conclude an agreement or to achieve goals jointly. It may or may not have legal backing or sanction (depending upon how it is constructed).
 

Monitoring and Verification Protocol or Plan
A monitoring and verification plan is a vital aspect of the Project Design Document that aims to support the process of gathering information to demonstrate the project's performance compared to the baseline. This gathering of information is required to facilitate verification by a DOE and ultimately crediting of CERs, ERUs or RMUs.
 

National Allocation Plan
In the context of the EU ETS, the NAP defines the Government-determined allowance limit for each installation that has a limit. The limits on emissions will apply from 2005.
 

Non-Governmental Organisation
These are usually pressure groups organising campaigns to bring about a change in behaviour concerning a particular activity.
 

New Independent States
The Baltic states and others countries formally part of the Soviet Union.
 

National Strategy Studies
The National Strategy Studies were launched in 1997 by the World Bank and the Swiss Government and provided a host country driven capacity building programme. The completed studies are available on the World Bank's web site
 

Official Development Assistance
Funds pledged by Governments to be invested in developing countries to assist their development.
 

Operational Entity
Operational Entities, also referred to as Designated Operational Entities, are independent bodies accredited by the CDM Executive Board (CDM EB) who validate projects (eligibility of project type, baseline, monitoring and verification plan etc) and recommend whether or not the CDM EB should approve the project. They also verify the amount of emission reduction credits which should accrue to the project, prior to the issue of the credits by the CDM EB.
 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The OECD is an international organisation helping governments tackle the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised economy.
 

Prototype Carbon Fund
This is a fund administered by the World Bank to invest in projects that will produce GHG emission reductions within the context of the Kyoto Protocol, and to enhance the capacity of all the countries involved through a "learning by doing" process. It brings together host and participant countries for projects, private sector investors and its own technical experts.
 

Project Design Document
A document completed by project developers in order to register their project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
 

Project Idea Note
A PIN is often used to describe the project in outline. Organisations may invite project developers to submit PINs, as part of an early process of project selection. Successful project developers may receive some support for developing the project in more detail, so that a PDD can be developed.
 

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution is an independent standing body established in 1970 to advise the Queen, the Government, Parliament and the public on environmental issues. The Twenty-second Report on Energy - The Changing Climate issued in June 2000 recommended a massive shift in the way the UK uses energy, advocating, as a contribution to global efforts to prevent excessive climate change, a 60% reduction in GHG emissions over the next 50 years.
 

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership
REEEP is a coalition of progressive governments, businesses and organisations committed to accelerating the development of renewable and energy efficiency systems. It was initiated at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. The REEEP is focused on specific actions in three key areas: policy and regulations, innovative finance, and communications.
 

Removal Units
Removal units is the name given to emission reductions arising from for carbon sink projects.
 

Renewables Obligation Certificates
ROCs are tradeable certificates awarded for renewable energy projects in the UK. Energy suppliers have a renewable energy contribution target to meet and if they don't meet their targets directly they can buy ROCs. Alternatively, they can sell any surplus certificates they have as a result of being in excess of their obligation.
 

Subsidiary Body for Implementation
An international body of the UNFCCC determining policy and procedures to be tabled at the subsequent Conference of the Parties meetings. The primary remit of SBI is to manage and guide the implementation of the convention.
 

Subsidiary Body for Scientific & Technological Advice
An international body of the UNFCCC determining policy and procedures to be tabled at the subsequent Conference of the Parties meetings. SBSTA was established under Article 9 of the UNFCCC in order to provide timely information and advice on scientific and technological matters relating to the Convention.
 

Sustainable Energy Policy Network
This network, co-ordinated by the DTI, consists of the policy units from across government departments, the devolved administrations, regulators and key delivery organisations that between them are jointly responsible for delivering the aims of the Government's Energy White Paper.
 

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The term used for companies with a staff of less than 250.
 

UK Climate Impacts Programme
Defra funded research into the impacts of Climate Change.
 

UK Trade & Investment
This body, formed in 2003, brings together the former Trade Partners UK and UK Invest, to support exports from UK companies, and encourage inward investment into the UK. It is a joint department of the DTI and the FCO.
 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The international treaty adopted in June 1992 that commits countries to stabilise human-induced greenhouse gas emissions to levels that would prevent our activities leading to dangerous interference with the climate system.

Western European & Others Group
This is one of the five regional groups established for the United Nations member states. The other groups are Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The only country not included in one of these groups is Israel.
 

World Summit on Sustainable Development
This was also known as the Rio plus 10 conference, held in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002.