'climate-impacting' originates from the combination of 'climate' and 'impact,' where 'climate' refers to the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period, and 'impact' means to have a strong effect on something.

'Climate-impacting' evolved from the need to describe activities or substances that have a significant effect on the climate, particularly in the context of climate change discussions.

Initially, it meant 'having an effect on the climate,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.