China's climate policy architecture, where one overarching guidance document is supported by multiple sector-specific implementation plans covering energy, industry, and transport.
Steps taken by individuals, organizations, or governments to address climate change, either through reducing emissions, adapting to impacts, or advocating for systemic change.
The establishment of a new forest in an area where there was previously no forest cover, used to sequester carbon and restore ecosystem services.
The practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock for food and other products; a significant source of greenhouse gases including methane from livestock and nitrous oxide from soils.
Technology that stores electrical energy in chemical form for later use, enabling the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the power grid.
A Chinese national vision promoting a clean, green, and ecologically healthy environment as a core element of the country's long-term development and governance goals.
The way individuals or groups act; changing consumer behavior—such as diet, transport, and energy choices—can significantly reduce personal and collective carbon emissions.
China's global infrastructure development strategy connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe through major investments in transport, energy, and trade networks, increasingly incorporating green financing standards.
The variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems; threatened by climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and pollution.
Organic material from plants and animals used as a fuel source; when sustainably sourced, it can serve as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels in heat and power generation.
The sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems, including fisheries, shipping, and marine renewable energy.
A fixed-income financial instrument in which an investor lends money to an entity for a defined period; green bonds are used to finance climate and environmental projects.
The rapid chemical reaction of a substance with oxygen that produces heat and light; in climate contexts, the burning of fossil fuels and biomass releases CO₂ and other pollutants.
A pollution control approach that sets a total limit (cap) on emissions and allows companies to buy and sell allowances, incentivizing emission reductions where they are cheapest.
The process of strengthening the skills, knowledge, institutions, and resources of individuals and communities to enable them to manage climate change challenges more effectively.
Financial assets and investments used to fund business activities or projects; in climate contexts, refers to the funding needed for the global energy transition.
The process of capturing carbon dioxide—from industrial sources or the atmosphere—before or after emission, to prevent it from contributing to climate change.
A colorless greenhouse gas (CO₂) produced by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and respiration; the primary driver of human-caused climate change.
The total amount of greenhouse gases, expressed as CO₂ equivalent, produced directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product, or event.
The shift of industrial production and associated emissions from jurisdictions with strict climate policies to those with weaker regulations, resulting in no net global emission reduction.
A trading system in which companies and governments buy and sell units of carbon dioxide emissions, creating a financial incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively.
A condition where carbon dioxide emissions are balanced by an equivalent amount of carbon removal or offsetting, resulting in no net CO₂ release.
A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions—achieved through tree planting, renewable energy, or other projects—used to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
The point at which a country's or sector's greenhouse gas emissions reach their highest level before beginning a sustained decline; China aims to peak emissions before 2030.
The monetary value assigned to each unit of carbon dioxide emitted, used as an economic signal to internalize the cost of climate damage and drive emission reductions.
A natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases, including forests, oceans, soils, and wetlands.
The secure, long-term containment of captured carbon dioxide, typically in underground geological formations such as depleted oil fields or saline aquifers.
A fee imposed on the burning of carbon-containing fuels, based on the amount of CO₂ they emit, designed to make fossil fuels more expensive and reduce emissions.
Describes an industry, process, or product that generates large amounts of CO₂ per unit of output, such as steel production, cement manufacturing, and coal-fired electricity generation.
An economic model that minimizes waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
Technologies that reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts through improved processes and products, including solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient systems.
The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a region, typically averaged over 30 years.
The process of adjusting human systems, infrastructure, and practices to actual or expected climate change impacts, to reduce harm and take advantage of new opportunities.
Long-term shifts in global or regional climate patterns, largely attributed to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
The urgent and potentially catastrophic threat posed by accelerating climate change, calling for immediate and large-scale action to prevent the worst outcomes.
Financial flows—public or private—directed toward climate change mitigation and adaptation, including clean energy investment, resilience building, and ecosystem protection.
A dedicated financial mechanism that channels resources toward climate change mitigation, adaptation, or both, often supporting developing countries in addressing climate challenges.
The systems, institutions, rules, and processes through which climate-related decisions are made and implemented at local, national, and international levels.
The principle that climate change impacts and the responsibilities for climate action should be distributed fairly, especially protecting vulnerable and historically marginalized communities.
Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions, or to enhance the capacity of carbon sinks, in order to limit the extent of global warming.
A formal agreement between parties—countries, organizations, or regions—to take coordinated action on climate change, setting shared goals and mutual commitments.
Government plans, regulations, and frameworks designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build societal resilience to the impacts of climate change.
A person displaced from their home due to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, desertification, flooding, or extreme weather making areas uninhabitable.
The ability of a system, community, or society to cope with, adapt to, and recover from climate change impacts while maintaining essential functions.
A strategic plan outlining the policies, milestones, and timelines required to achieve long-term climate goals, such as reaching carbon neutrality by a target date.
A plausible description of future climate conditions based on different assumptions about greenhouse gas emissions, policy choices, and socioeconomic development pathways, used for planning and risk assessment.
The degree to which a system, community, or region is susceptible to harm from climate change, based on its exposure to hazards, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.
A combustible sedimentary rock formed from ancient plant matter; the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and historically the largest single source of global CO₂ emissions.
A group of people living in the same area or sharing common values and interests; communities play an essential role in grassroots climate action and local adaptation.
The controlled decomposition of organic waste materials—such as food scraps and yard trimmings—into nutrient-rich compost that enriches soil and diverts methane-emitting waste from landfills.
The introduction of harmful substances—such as chemicals, pollutants, or pathogens—into air, water, or soil, making it dangerous for organisms and ecosystems.
The annual Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, where world leaders and negotiators meet to advance and review global climate commitments.
Money owed by a borrower to a lender; many developing nations face debt burdens that severely limit their capacity to invest in climate action and resilience.
The process of reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from an economic sector or activity, typically through electrification and the use of renewable energy.
The large-scale removal or clearing of forests, which releases stored carbon into the atmosphere and destroys important carbon sinks and biodiversity habitats.
The deterioration of land, ecosystems, or natural resources due to human activity or climate impacts, reducing their ability to support biodiversity and provide essential services.
The process by which fertile or semi-arid land becomes desert, driven by drought, deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices, often exacerbated by climate change.
The potential for loss of life, injury, or destruction of assets due to natural hazards such as floods, droughts, and storms, many of which are intensified by climate change.
A prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation leading to water shortages, crop failures, and significant ecosystem stress.
China's national climate commitments: reaching peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Describes products, practices, or behaviors that have little or no harmful impact on the environment, typically involving reduced emissions, waste, or resource use.
A Chinese philosophical and governance concept that advocates for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, guiding national environmental and development strategies.
A community of living organisms—plants, animals, and microbes—interacting with each other and their physical environment as a functional unit.
A vehicle powered entirely or partially by an electric motor using energy stored in rechargeable batteries, producing zero direct exhaust emissions.
The process of replacing fossil-fuel-powered technologies—such as cars and heating systems—with electrically powered alternatives, especially from clean energy sources.
A market-based system in which companies buy and sell permits to emit greenhouse gases, creating a financial incentive to reduce emissions at the lowest cost.
The deliberate reduction of energy use through behavioral changes and improved practices—such as adjusting thermostats and turning off equipment—to lower emissions and costs.
The practice of using less energy to accomplish the same task or produce the same output, reducing energy waste and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
A country's ability to maintain reliable, affordable access to sufficient energy; transitioning to domestic renewables can improve energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The global shift from fossil-fuel-based energy systems toward cleaner, renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
Describes industries or processes that consume large amounts of energy per unit of output, such as aluminum smelting, chemical production, and large-scale data centers.
Practices, policies, and laws aimed at preventing harm to natural systems and conserving the environment for current and future generations.
Laws and rules established by governments to limit pollution, protect natural resources, and require businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
The complete disappearance of a species from the Earth, driven by factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation.
Unusual, severe, or unseasonal weather events—such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes—that lie outside the normal range of climate variability.
A process in which the effects of a change amplify (positive feedback) or dampen (negative feedback) the original change; Arctic ice loss reducing albedo is a key climate feedback loop.
An overflow of water onto normally dry land caused by heavy rainfall, storm surges, rapid snowmelt, or river overflow.
The condition in which all people have consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food; climate change threatens food security through droughts, floods, and heat stress on crops.
Food discarded or lost during production, transport, retail, or consumption; decomposing food in landfills generates methane, making food waste a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
The gradual and systematic elimination of coal, oil, and natural gas from energy systems, replacing them with renewable energy sources to achieve decarbonization goals.
Energy sources formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years, including coal, oil, and natural gas; combustion releases CO₂ and other greenhouse gases.
Energy extracted from heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, used to generate electricity or provide heating with very low greenhouse gas emissions.
A large, persistent body of ice formed from compacted snow in high-altitude or polar regions; glaciers are retreating rapidly as global temperatures rise.
The recession or shrinkage of glaciers caused by rising temperatures, reducing freshwater availability for downstream communities and contributing to sea-level rise.
A five-yearly review under the Paris Agreement to assess collective global progress toward meeting long-term climate goals and to inform the next round of national climate commitments.
The long-term heating of Earth's surface due to human-caused increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, primarily from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
An approach to economic growth that integrates environmental sustainability, improving human well-being while reducing ecological risks and minimizing resource consumption.
An economic recovery strategy that prioritizes investments in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental restoration, particularly after a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
A gas that absorbs and re-emits heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect; examples include CO₂, methane, and water vapor.
The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product or company, often to improve brand image without making meaningful sustainability changes.
The natural environment in which a specific species lives, finds food, and reproduces; habitats are being rapidly degraded by climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, often lasting several days or weeks, posing serious health risks; heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Energy produced using hydrogen as a fuel, often generated by electrolysis powered by renewable electricity; a key solution for decarbonizing heavy industry and long-distance transport.
Greenhouse gases and pollutants released by industrial processes such as steel production, cement manufacturing, and chemical refining.
The fundamental physical systems needed for the operation of society, including transport networks, energy systems, and water supply; must be both climate-resilient and low-carbon.
A financial product providing compensation for specified losses; in climate contexts, used to manage financial risks from extreme weather events and natural disasters.
The allocation of money or resources into an asset or project with the expectation of generating returns; in climate contexts, includes funding for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
The controlled supply of water to agricultural land through channels, pipes, or sprinklers, enabling crop production in dry areas; a major consumer of freshwater resources.
Greenhouse gases—primarily methane from cattle digestion and manure—produced by farm animals; livestock contributes a significant share of global agricultural emissions.
In climate and biodiversity contexts, the disappearance or significant reduction of species, ecosystems, or natural resources; 'loss and damage' refers specifically to harm caused by climate change.
The industrial process of producing goods from raw materials or components using labor, machines, and tools; a significant source of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
A potent greenhouse gas (CH₄) produced by livestock, landfills, rice paddies, and natural gas leaks; about 80 times more warming than CO₂ over a 20-year period.
The movement of people or animals from one location to another; climate-induced human migration is increasingly driven by sea-level rise, drought, and extreme weather events.
A mathematical or computational representation of a system used to simulate and predict behavior; climate models project future temperature and rainfall changes under different emissions scenarios.
A fossil fuel composed primarily of methane, widely used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation; methane leaks during extraction and distribution intensify its climate impact.
Actions that protect, restore, or sustainably manage ecosystems to simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss, and other societal challenges.
A state in which the amount of greenhouse gases emitted equals the amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net addition to atmospheric concentrations.
A greenhouse gas (N₂O) released mainly from agricultural soils, synthetic fertilizers, and livestock manure; approximately 300 times more potent than CO₂ over a 100-year period.
The decrease in ocean pH caused by absorption of atmospheric CO₂, threatening marine ecosystems—especially coral reefs and shellfish—by weakening calcium carbonate structures.
A liquid fossil fuel extracted from underground geological formations, used primarily for transportation fuels, plastics, and chemicals; a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The harvesting of fish at a rate faster than populations can naturally reproduce, leading to the depletion of fish stocks, ecosystem collapse, and threats to food security.
A region of the stratosphere with high concentrations of ozone (O₃) that absorbs most harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.
A 2015 international treaty under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, committing countries to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, found mainly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions; as it thaws due to warming, it releases stored carbon and methane.
Risks to assets and livelihoods arising from the physical impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather, sea-level rise, and ecosystem disruption.
A framework identifying nine Earth system processes and the limits within which humanity must operate to maintain a stable, habitable planet; several boundaries have already been exceeded.
A diet centered on vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits with minimal or no animal products; it generates significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than diets rich in meat and dairy.
A set of principles, rules, or guidelines adopted by a government or organization to guide decision-making and achieve specific goals.
The interconnected network of power generation facilities, high-voltage transmission lines, and distribution infrastructure that delivers electricity from producers to consumers.
A system of shared transportation services available to the public, such as buses, trains, and subways, which reduces per-capita carbon emissions compared to private car travel.
A dense, biodiverse forest found in tropical regions with consistently high annual rainfall; rainforests are critical carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots threatened by deforestation.
The process of collecting and processing waste materials to create new products, reducing demand for raw materials and lowering the energy and emissions required for manufacturing.
The practice of consuming fewer resources and generating less waste as the first and most effective step in the waste hierarchy, minimizing environmental impact at the source.
The replanting of trees on land that was previously forested but cleared due to logging, agriculture, or natural events, restoring ecosystem services and carbon storage capacity.
Energy from naturally replenishing sources—such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat—that are not depleted when used.
The practice of using a product or material more than once, either for its original purpose or a different one, reducing waste and the demand for new resource-intensive products.
An increase in level, amount, or value; in climate contexts, commonly refers to increases in temperature, sea level, or emissions over time.
The potential for harm, loss, or adverse outcomes; in climate contexts, includes physical risks from climate impacts and transition risks from policy and market changes.
The process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating potential risks to determine their likelihood and impact, enabling informed decision-making and risk management strategies.
The average height of the ocean surface, used as a baseline for measuring altitude; currently rising due to thermal expansion of seawater and melting land ice.
The wearing away and displacement of topsoil by water, wind, or human activity such as deforestation and poor farming, reducing land fertility and releasing stored carbon.
Energy derived from the sun's radiation, converted into electricity using photovoltaic panels or into heat using solar thermal collectors.
A group of organisms sharing common characteristics that can interbreed; species diversity is a core measure of biodiversity, increasingly threatened by climate change and habitat loss.
Financial support provided by a government to lower the cost of a product or service; fossil fuel subsidies artificially reduce fossil fuel costs, while green subsidies incentivize clean energy adoption.
A toxic gas (SO₂) released by burning coal and volcanic eruptions, a major contributor to acid rain and respiratory illness.
The full sequence of processes and organizations involved in producing and delivering a product, from raw materials to end consumers; supply chains often contribute significantly to corporate carbon footprints.
The capacity to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing environmental, social, and economic concerns.
A specific, measurable goal set by a government or organization to be achieved within a defined timeframe, such as reducing emissions by 50% by 2030.
The sharing of climate-related knowledge, expertise, and technologies from developed to developing countries to help them reduce emissions and build resilience to climate impacts.
A measure of the degree of heat or cold in the atmosphere or an object, typically expressed in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
A threshold in the climate system at which a small additional perturbation triggers a larger, often irreversible shift, such as the collapse of ice sheets or the die-back of the Amazon.
A detailed, evidence-based plan describing how a country, sector, or company will progressively transform its activities to achieve low-carbon or net-zero targets over time.
Financial and business risks that arise from the transition to a low-carbon economy, including policy changes, technological disruption, and shifts in market preferences.
The range of possible outcomes or imprecision about future conditions; in climate science, refers to the range of projected impacts under different scenarios and model assumptions.
Materials that are discarded or no longer needed after use; managing waste is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane generated in landfills.
The short-term state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, including temperature, wind, and precipitation.
An area where land is saturated or covered with water, including marshes, bogs, and swamps; wetlands store large amounts of carbon and provide critical habitat for wildlife.
An uncontrolled fire that spreads through forests, grasslands, or other natural vegetation, often intensified by drought, heat, and strong winds.
Electricity generated by capturing the kinetic energy of wind using turbines; one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy globally.
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