Climate change is a widely-debated topic, which spans different spheres: scientific, political, economic, social, etc. For interpreters, grasping the key vocabulary used at climate conferences is crucial. Though far from comprehensive, this guide outlines some of the most repeated terms and phrases at this sort of event.
Can you think of any other term? Feel free to add it in the comments.
Understanding Climate Terminology
The language used in climate change discussions is very specialised. Common words include acronyms, names of treaties, bodies or panels, as well as terms specific to environmental science, policy and activism.
Some of the most recurrent acronyms include:
COP (or Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC) refers to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, most commonly referred to as COP, plus the sequential number of the meeting. The last UN Climate Change Conference was COP29, which was held in Baku (Azerbaijan). COP30 will take place in November this year in Belém (Brazil).
UNFCCC (or United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) entered into force in 1994. This international treaty has been ratified by 198 countries, which have agreed to combat the threat of climate change and the "dangerous human interference with the climate system".
UNOC (United Nations Ocean Conference). According to the official website of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Ocean Conference "aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14".
SDGs (or Sustainable Development Goals). In 2015, and as part of the 2030 Agenda, all United Nations members adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. These are an urgent call to action to "end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity".
NDCs (or Nationally Determined Contributions). The Paris Agreement requires each of its signatories to outline and communicate their action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat climate change. These commitments are known as NDCs, and must be updated every five years.
IPCC (or Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change) is the United Nations body for monitoring and assessing the science related to climate change. It provides science-based information to policymakers in the form of regular Assessment Reports.
LT-LEDS (long-term low-emission development strategies) are crucial policy instruments that guide countries in aligning their developmental goals with the Paris Agreement's objectives.
More treaties, protocols and other commitments in Spanish:
Paris Agreement - el Acuerdo de París
Kyoto Protocol - el Protocolo de Kioto
Montreal Protocol - el Protocolo de Montreal
Loss and Damage Fund - el Fondo de Daños y Pérdidas
Global Methane Pledge (GMP) - el Compromiso Mundial de Metano
Global Stocktake (GST) - el Balance Mundial
Biennial Transparency Report (BTS) - el Informe Bienal de Transparencia
Vocabulary related to emissions:
Emissions are widely discussed in climate-related meetings. In this context, they are defined as polluting substances released into the atmosphere due to human activities, and are calculated by parts per million (ppm).
greenhouse gases (or GHG) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat. Carbon dioxide and methane are examples of greenhouse gases.
carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process that helps reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. It involves capturing and storing deep underground CO₂ emissions coming from industrial facilities.
CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) is a unit of measurement used to calculate the effect of different greenhouse gases (GHGs) on the climate.
carbon sinks are natural or artificial systems that absorb more carbon than they produce. Forests, oceans and soil are examples of natural carbon sinks.
carbon footprint. Another significant phrase is "carbon footprint," which represents the total greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by individuals, organizations, or products. For instance, the annual amount of CO2 emissions in the UK in 2023 was 305.15 million tonnes, compared to 2.6 million tonnes in Niger. Understanding this difference is crucial for interpreting meetings about climate change responsibility.
Preparing Key Vocabulary for Climate Conferences
Interpreters play a vital role in ensuring effective communication. A solid grasp of the terminology and jargon of the field helps interpreters to enhance the quality of their rendition. Therefore, preparing in advance for meetings and conducting thorough research on the conference topics is a must.
One useful way of preparing for a meeting is creating a glossary of key terms. This can serve as a handy reference tool, helping you navigate the specialised language of the conference. For example, memorising the meaning and the translation of a term like "carbon footprint technology" can be crucial to understanding and interpreting discussions focused on mitigation.
Final Thoughts
Mastering specific terminology is essential for interpreting at climate conferences. By familiarising yourself with terms like IPCC, UNFCCC, Global Stocktake, greenhouse gas emission and carbon sinks, among others, you enhance your effectiveness in facilitating communication.
As the urgency of addressing climate change intensifies, interpreters play a crucial role in eliminating language barriers and fostering understanding among various stakeholders. Dedicating time to researching and learning essential climate vocabulary benefits both interpreters and the audiences they serve.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Ritchie, H. (2019) "Who emits the most CO2 today?", Our World in Data, 3 October. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/annual-co2-emissions#article-citation (Accessed: 12 February 2025).
United Nations Climate Change. (no date) What is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?. Available at: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/what-is-the-united-nations-framework-convention-on-climate-change (Accessed: 12 February 2025).
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development. (no date) Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025 (Accessed: 11 February 2025).
UNDP. (no date) The SDGs in Action. Available at: https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals (Accessed: 11 February 2025).
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