SMEs at COP31SMEs at COP31
COP31 Guide

3 min read · Updated: 24 September 2026 · 8 sources

Climate and COP glossary

Short, plain-language definitions of the key terms you will meet while following COP31.

TermMeaning
UNFCCCUN Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992; COPs are its decision-making body.1
COPConference of the Parties — the annual meeting of the Convention's Parties.1
Paris Agreement2015 agreement to hold warming well below 2°C and pursue 1.5°C.2
1.5°C goalLimit on warming above pre-industrial levels; beyond it, droughts, heatwaves and extreme rainfall grow more frequent and severe.2
NDCNationally Determined Contribution — a country's climate plan, updated every five years with rising ambition.2
Global stocktakePeriodic assessment of collective progress towards the Paris goals.2
Net zeroBalancing emissions released with those removed; Türkiye's target year is 2053.3
MitigationMeasures that cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
AdaptationMeasures that build resilience to climate impacts.
Blue ZoneUN-managed negotiation area, accredited participants only.4
Green ZoneHost-run public area for exhibitions and events.4
High-Level ChampionAppointed for each COP to mobilise cities, business, investors and civil society; Samed Ağırbaş for COP31.5
ETSEmissions Trading System — a cap on covered installations with tradable allowances; established in Türkiye by the Climate Law.6
CBAMEU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — a carbon cost on embedded emissions of certain imports; definitive since 2026.7
Embedded emissionsEmissions released in making a product and attributed to it.
Scope 1, 2, 3Corporate footprint categories: direct emissions; purchased electricity and heat; all other indirect emissions including the supply chain.
MRVMonitoring, reporting and verification of emissions data.
Circular economyKeeping materials in use as long as possible and turning waste into a resource.
TSRSTürkiye Sustainability Reporting Standards, mandatory above set thresholds.8

References

  1. What is COP? — COP31 Türkiye
  2. The Paris Agreement — UNFCCC
  3. Target: 2053 Net Zero Emissions! — Climate Change Presidency of Türkiye
  4. COP31 Türkiye — FAQ — COP31 Türkiye
  5. Türkiye appoints Samed Ağırbaş as COP31 Climate High-Level Champion — UNFCCC
  6. Climate Law No. 7552 — Turkish Legislation Information System (Turkish)
  7. CBAM definitive regime — European Commission
  8. Procedures on the scope of TSRS application — Public Oversight Authority (Turkish)

This content is for information only and is not legal or financial advice. Rely on the official texts listed in the references for binding, up-to-date information.

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