A

Adaptive Capacity: The ability of systems, institutions, humans, and other organisms to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to respond to consequences.

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C

Climate: The average weather conditions in a region over a long period, typically 30 years or more. It includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and seasons.

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Climate Change: A change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.

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Climate Model: A numerical representation of the climate system based on physical, chemical, and biological properties used to simulate past and future climate conditions.

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Climate Risk Atlas: A tool or platform that integrates climate, hazard, vulnerability, and exposure data to map and visualize climate risks for decision-making and adaptation planning.

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E

Exposure: The presence of people, livelihoods, species or ecosystems, environmental services and resources, infrastructure, or economic, social, or cultural assets in places and settings that could be adversely affected.

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H

Hazard: The potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, and environmental resources.

I

Interannual Variability: Year-to-year fluctuations in climate variables such as temperature or precipitation, influenced by natural phenomena like ENSO.

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P

Precipitation Climatology: The study of long-term patterns of rainfall in a region, often used to establish a baseline for assessing climate variability and change.

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R

Risk: The potential for adverse consequences resulting from climate-related hazards. It is typically considered as a function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.

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S

Sea Level Rise (SLR): An increase in the level of the world's oceans due to the effects of climate change, primarily caused by thermal expansion and melting ice sheets and glaciers.

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Sensitivity: The degree to which a system is affected, either adversely or beneficially, by climate variability or change. It is a component of vulnerability in the IPCC risk framework.

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Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI): A drought index used to quantify precipitation deficits across various timescales, aiding in monitoring and early warning for drought conditions.

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V

Vulnerability: The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected. In the IPCC context, it refers to the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes.