Statistical Terms Glossary

A cooperative mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol, has the potential to assist developing countries in achieving sustainable development by promoting environmentally friendly investment from industrialized country governments and businesses.

Floating of currency where the value of the currency is controlled by the market rather than the authorities. Opposite of dirty float

Manufacturing processes that minimise environmental impacts (e.g. low use of energy and raw materials, low emissions and waste) through changes in production processes.

Record which has no missing values and which passes all edits.

Clean technology is the installation or a part of an installation that has been adapted in order to generate less or no pollution. In clean as opposed to end-of-pipe technology, the environmental equipment is integrated into the production process

Water that does not compromise food safety in the circumstances of its use.; Water from any source where harmful microbiological contamination, substances and/or toxic plankton are not present in such quantities that may affect the safety of aquatic organisms and their products.

The cleaner technologies and products group comprises goods and services which reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts, but which are often supplied for other than environmental purposes and for which statistical assessment remains disputed, difficult or expensive.

A bilateral agreement between two States under which the authorities in each of the States set up a system for collection and payment of debts due to and by each other through a special account in a central bank.

An organization set up by financial institutions agreeing to initiate and receive among themselves electronic transfers of funds authorized by their customers.

Is the natural or legal person for whom a structure is constructed, or alternatively the person or organisation that took the initiative of the construction.

Climate refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location (microclimate) or region over a long period of time. It is the long-term summation of atmospheric elements – such as solar radiation, temperature, humidity, precipitation type (frequency and amount), atmospheric pressure and wind (speed and direction) – and their variations

Climate change is a term frequently used in reference to global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities

An adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.

Refers to the different processes that substantiate the occurrence of changing climate patterns at the global, regional and local levels. The evidence of global warming and climate change is unequivocal, including global temperature rise, extreme events, sea level rise, shrinking ice sheets and glacial retreat.

Refers to efforts to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions and may involve using new technologies, incorporating and increasing renewable energies, making older equipment more energy efficient and changing management practices or consumer behaviour. Protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans, or creating new sinks through silviculture or green agriculture, are also elements of mitigation.

Refer to environmental, social and economic data that measure the human causes of climate change, the impacts of climate change on human and natural systems, and the efforts by humans to avoid and adapt to these consequences.

See United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

See Protection of climate and the ozone layer