The words at COP31, explained in plain English.
A first look at the COP Decoder. Short forms, jargon and the phrases people use in the corridors, written so a first-time delegate can follow the room.
COP
Conference of the Parties
The yearly meeting of the countries that joined the UN climate treaty. It is the treaty's top decision-making body. Countries check progress and agree what to do next. COP31 is the 31st meeting.
SourceUNFCCC
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
The UN climate treaty, adopted in 1992. Almost every country has joined it. The countries that joined meet each year at COP. A separate UN office, the UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn, Germany, organises the meetings.
SourceNDC
Nationally Determined Contribution
Each country's climate plan under the Paris Agreement. It says how the country will cut emissions and adapt. Countries send a new one every five years.
SourceIPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The UN body that reviews climate science and writes reports for governments. It does not tell governments what to do. Governments use its reports to make decisions.
GCF
Green Climate Fund
The world's largest fund set up only for climate action. It pays for climate projects in developing countries. It is based in South Korea. Most money flows through approved partner organisations, not directly to small groups.
SourceMRV
Measurement, Reporting and Verification
How countries and projects show their climate claims are true. You measure the change, report it, and someone checks it.
Article 6
The carbon markets rules
The part of the Paris Agreement about countries working together to cut emissions, including trading carbon credits. The rules are often debated.
L&D
Loss and Damage
Harm from climate change that is too big to adapt to, such as homes or land lost to the sea. At COP27 in 2022, countries agreed to set up a fund to help. The Paris decision says this does not create legal liability or compensation.
REDD+
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
A UN framework that rewards developing countries for protecting their forests, because forests store carbon. The + adds managing forests well and growing the carbon they hold.
SourceSB
Subsidiary Body
The two standing working groups under the treaty: SBSTA and SBI. They meet twice a year, including at COP, and prepare much of the detailed text that COP later adopts.
SBSTA
Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice
One of the two standing working groups. It gives COP advice on science and technology, such as how to measure emissions, and links IPCC science to the talks.
SourceSBI
Subsidiary Body for Implementation
The other standing working group. It checks how countries are putting the agreements into practice: reporting, finance, adaptation, technology and training.
SourceThat is the free preview.
The full COP Decoder sits inside COP Ready, alongside who holds power at the talks, how the negotiations actually run, and the venue and badge rules. Free for delegates.