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ANNEX 4 GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
The following terms and abbreviations were noted in the consultation document.
Carbon capture
Carbon capture is a process consisting of the separation of CO 2 from industrial and energy-related sources, transport to a storage location and long-term isolation from the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO 2)
A chemical compound which exists as a gas in the Earth's atmosphere. It is produced by all animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms during respiration and is used by plants during photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is also an important greenhouse gas.
Carbon Reduction Commitment ( CRC)
The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a scheme, announced in the UK Government's Energy White Paper 2007 which will apply mandatory emissions trading to cut carbon emissions from large commercial and public sector organisations (including supermarkets, hotel chains, government departments, large local authority buildings) by 1.1 MtC/year by 2020.
Chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons are chemical compounds formerly used widely in industry for purposes such as refrigeration and aerosol propellant. They have a depleting effect on the ozone layer which protects the surface of the Earth from dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation. Because of this, their use is being phased out under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force in 1989. They are also a powerful greenhouse gas.
Combined Heat and Power ( CHP)
Combined Heat and Power is the simultaneous generation of usable heat and power (usually electricity) in a single process.
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform ( BERR)
BERR is a UK Government Department tasked to help ensure business success in the UK and to act as the voice for business across the UK Government. Regulation of energy production and supply also falls within its remit.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ( DEFRA)
DEFRA is a UK Government Department with the aim to enable everyone in the UK to live within our environmental means. This includes tackling climate change and securing a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.
Emissions Trading Scheme ( ETS)
Emissions Trading Schemes are schemes which aim to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and combat the threat of climate change. This is generally done through putting a price on carbon that businesses use, thus creating a market for carbon, encouraging organisation to emit less so they do not have to purchase credits or even make money by selling surplus credits earned by reducing emissions.
GigaWatt ( GW)
A GigaWatt is equal to one billion watts.
Greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases are components of the atmosphere which trap part of the sun's thermal energy re-irradiated by the Earth's surface. The higher the concentration of a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, the greater the proportion of thermal radiation that is trapped and so the greater the warming.
Gross Domestic Product ( GDP)
GDP is a way of measuring the size of an economy. It is defined as the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.
Hydrofluorocarbons ( HFCs)
Hydrofluorocarbons are chemical compounds used in industry for purposes such as refrigeration and aerosol propellant. They are greenhouse gases but, unlike Chlorofluorocarbons, HFCs have no known effects on the ozone layer.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC)
The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme to provide decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change. The IPCC does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters. Its role is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the latest scientific, technical and socio-economic literature produced worldwide.
MegaWatt ( MW)
A MegaWatt is equal to one million Watts.
Methane (CH 4)
Methane is a chemical compound which is the principal component of natural gas and is a greenhouse gas.
Nitrous oxide (N 2O)
Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound which can be used in medical anaesthetics, aerosol propellants and to increase the power of internal combustion engines. It is a greenhouse gas.
Parts per million (ppm)
Ppm denotes relative proportions in measured quantities: one part per 1,000,000 parts.
Perfluorocarbons ( PFCs)
Perfluorocarbons are chemical compounds used in a wide range of medical applications such as eye surgery and ultrasound imaging. They are extremely potent greenhouse gases.
Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research ( SNIFFER)
SNIFFER identifies and manages environmental research on behalf of its members the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Environment and Heritage Service, the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders.
Scottish Climate Change Impacts Partnership ( SCCIP)
SCCIP is an initiative that brings together stakeholders in Scotland to collectively address and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA)
SEA is a systematic assessment (required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005) of the environmental effects of strategic land use related plans, programs and strategies.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6)
Sulphur hexafluoride is a chemical compound used in the electrical industry as a non-conducting insulating gas and in medical applications such as eye surgery and ultrasound imaging. It is also a greenhouse gas.
UK Climate Impacts Programme ( UKCIP)
UKCIP is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on behalf of the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive. In addition to research, UKCIP provides tools and datasets to support organisations and the public in understanding and adapting to the unavoidable changes in climate.
Watt
The standard unit of Power. Power is the rate at which energy is transmitted for a given unit of time.
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