The Kyoto protocol
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change strengthens the international
response to climate change. Adopted by consensus at the
third session of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) in December
1997, it contains legally binding emissions targets for Annex
I (developed) countries for the post-2000 period. The EU
and its Member States ratified the Kyoto Protocol in late
May 2002.
By arresting and reversing the upward trend
in greenhouse gas emissions that started in these countries
150 years ago, the Protocol promises to move the international
community one step closer to achieving the Conventions
ultimate objective of preventing "dangerous anthropogenic
[man-made] interference with the climate system".
The developed countries commit themselves
to reducing their collective emissions of six key greenhouse
gases by at least 5%. This group target will be achieved
through cuts of 8% by Switzerland, most Central and East European
states, and the European Union (the EU will meet its target
by distributing different rates among its member states);
7% by the US; and 6% by Canada, Hungary, Japan, and Poland.
Russia, New Zealand, and Ukraine are to stabilize their emissions,
while Norway may increase emissions by up to 1%, Australia
by up to 8%, and Iceland 10%. The six gases are to be combined
in a "basket", with reductions in individual gases
translated into "CO2 equivalents" that
are then added up to produce a single figure.
Each countrys emissions target must
be achieved by the period 2008-2012. It will be calculated
as an average over the five years. "Demonstrable progress"
towards meeting the target must be made by 2005. Cuts in the
three most important gases carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N20)
- will be measured against a base year of 1990 (with exceptions
for some countries with economies in transition).
Cuts in three long-lived industrial gases
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs),
and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) - can be measured
against either a 1990 or 1995 baseline. (A major group of
industrial gases, chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, are dealt
with under the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer.)
Actual emission reductions will be much
larger than 5%. Compared with emissions levels projected
for the year 2000, the richest industrialized countries (OECD
members) will need to reduce their collective output by about
10%. This is because many of these countries will not succeed
in meeting their earlier non-binding aim of returning emissions
to 1990 levels by the year 2000; their emissions have in fact
risen since 1990. While the countries with economies in transition
have experienced falling emissions since 1990, this trend
is now reversing.
Therefore, for the developed countries as
a whole, the 5% Protocol target represents an actual cut of
around 20% when compared with the emissions levels that are
projected for 2010 if no emissions-control measures are adopted.
Countries have a certain degree of flexibility
in how they make and measure their emissions reductions.
In particular, an international "emissions trading"
regime is established allowing industrialized countries to
buy and sell emissions credits amongst themselves. They will
also be able to acquire "emission reduction units"
by financing certain kinds of projects in other developed
countries through a mechanism known as Joint Implementation.
In addition, a "Clean Development Mechanism" for
promoting sustainable development enables industrialized countries
to finance emissions-reduction projects in developing countries
and receive credit for doing so.
They pursue emissions cuts in a wide range
of economic sectors. The Protocol encourages governments
to cooperate with one another, improve energy efficiency,
reform the energy and transportation sectors, promote renewable
forms of energy, phase out inappropriate fiscal measures and
market imperfections, limit methane emissions from waste management
and energy systems, and protect forests and other carbon "sinks".
The Protocol advances the implementation
of existing commitments by all countries. Under the Convention,
both developed and developing countries agree to take measures
to limit emissions and promote adaptation to future climate
change impacts; submit information on their national climate
change programmes and inventories; promote technology transfer;
cooperate on scientific and technical research; and promote
public awareness, education, and training. The Protocol also
reiterates the need to provide "new and additional"
financial resources to meet the "agreed full costs"
incurred by developing countries in carrying out these commitments.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) of
the Convention also serves as the meeting of the Parties (MOP)
for the Protocol. This structure has been established
to facilitate the management of the intergovernmental process.
Parties to the Convention that are not Parties to the Protocol
will be able to participate in Protocol-related meetings as
observers.
The agreement is being reviewed. The
Parties will take "appropriate action" on the basis
of the best available scientific, technical, and socio-economic
information. Talks on commitments for the post-2012 period
are on-going [see UN Climate Change
Conference 2007, 3rd Meeting of Parties (COP/MOP-3) to the
Kyoto Protocol, Bali ]
Full
text of the Kyoto Protocol
European
Union ratifies the Kyoto Protocol - Press Release
The
Kyoto Protocol and climate change - background Information
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