Glossary of Terms

Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI)

The sum and categorisation of the total greenhouse gas emissions accounted for in your area in a given year. This is the year against which future progress is compared.

Baseline year

This is the year in which the BEI was calculated, with which future progress in emissions reductions is compared.

Biodiversity

The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.

Climate adaptation

The process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects in order to moderate harm or take advantages of beneficial opportunities.

Climate hazard

Extreme weather events or natural disasters that are primarily caused by climate-related factors. They can cause harm to human health, livelihoods or natural resources.

Climate mitigation

The process of reducing climate change which involves reducing the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere either by reducing the sources of these gases or enhancing the sinks that accumulate and store these gases.

Climate neutrality

The idea of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by balancing those emissions so they are equal to or less than the emissions that get removed through the planet’s natural absorption. This reduction of emissions would occur through climate action.

Climate Risk Assessment

A process for identifying and evaluating the potential impacts of climate change on various sectors and activities.

Decarbonisation Zone (or decarbonising zone)

A spatial area identified by the local authority. It is an area in which a range of climate mitigation measures can co-exist to address local low carbon energy, greenhouse gas emissions and climate needs.

Evidence-based

An approach that emphasises the practical application of the findings of the best available current research.

Extreme weather events

A time and place in which weather, climate, or environmental conditions rank above a threshold value near the upper or lower ends of the range of historical events.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap solar energy and prevent the sun’s energy from bouncing back into space thus creating the greenhouse effect. The main GHG emissions are water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities compound the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change.

Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP)

Plans to help local authorities address in an integrated way the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate adaptation. Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, each local authority is required to prepare a local authority climate action plan for its respective administrative area. Once adopted by the local councils, each plan will be valid for five years and is subject to update at least every five years.

BEI

Baseline Emission Inventory

CAP

Climate Action Plan

CARO

Climate Action Regional Office

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

DZ

Decarbonisation Zone

EU

European Union

GCC

Galway County Council

GHG

Greenhouse gas

KPI

Key Performance Indicator

ktCO2e

Kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents

LACAP

Local Authority Climate Action Plan

SEAI

Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland

SPC

Strategic Policy Committee

UN

United Nations