Rwanda Green Growth Strategy 18nov11 - Global Climate Change ...

Definition of Key TermsDefinition of Key TermsDefinition of Key TermsClimate change is a change in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that altersthe composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observedover comparable time periods. (UNFCCC)The following working definitions have been used in this Strategy and are taken directly from DFIDdocumentation.“Climate change is a new and constantly evolving agenda. There is continuing discussion betweenstakeholders, not least within the international negotiations, as to what is really meant by terms likeadaptation and mitigation.Adaptation can be used to refer to additional activities needed to prepare for climate change. Thistypically involves specific interventions (larger storm drains or new crop varieties) but can also involvebroader social or economic strategies (e.g. migration to urban centres could be an adaptation strategy insome contexts).Climate resilience can be used to describe a broader agenda than adaptation as defined above. Itcaptures activities which build the ability to deal with climate variability – both today and in the future.Climate resilience building activities include many existing development investments including those in theagriculture, food security, health, land management and infrastructure sectors.Mitigation refers to efforts to limit or absorb gas emissions which contribute to climate change. Emissionscan be limited by moving away from dirty fossil fuels (i.e. wind power) or by being more efficient whenusing energy (reducing consumption). Greenhouse gases can also be removed from the atmosphere byplants (called carbon sequestration). One way of managing the deployment of mitigatory activities isthrough an international carbon market.Low carbon development is distinct from mitigation. Mitigation is about cutting emissions. Low carbondevelopment reframes this challenge and argues that in some cases, the low carbon option is also thebest development option for low income countries.”National Strategy on Climate Change and Low Carbon Developmentxiii