Definitions
Climate change is “any change in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods” (UNFCCC 1992). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has described climate change as “any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity” (IPCC 2014). The UNFCCC definition focuses on human-induced climate change, while the IPCC adopts a broader definition that includes both natural and human-induced climate change.
Climate change impacts are “the effects of climate change on human and natural systems” (IPCC 2018). These effects have detrimental consequences on the composition, resilience, and productivity of natural and human systems (UNFCCC 1992).
Climate action includes responses by institutions, communities, or societies to respond to climate change (IPCC 2018). The...
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Mbeva, K.L., Makomere, R. (2020). Climate Action and Low-Carbon Economy. In: Leal Filho, W., Azul, A.M., Brandli, L., Özuyar, P.G., Wall, T. (eds) Climate Action. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95885-9_97
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