Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
What is it?
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.
When was it first announced?
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.
Who?
As of June 2013, there are 192 parties to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This total includes 191 states (189 United Nations member states as well as the Cook Islands and Niue) and one supranational union (the European Union).
Aims?
The Kyoto targets vary by region: the UK is committed to cutting its emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2012, and the European Union to an 8% reduction on 1990 levels by 2012. The US agreed to a 7% reduction before President George Bush denounced the pact in 2001. Japan is struggling to find ways to meet its obligations which require it to cut its emissions by 6%. The agreement also allows some countries with low emissions to increase them.
Achievements?
During the first commitment period, 37 industrialized countries and the European Community committed to reduce GHG emissions to an average of five percent against 1990 levels. During the second commitment period, Parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18 percent below 1990 levels in the eight-year period from 2013 to 2020.
Problems?
The US, the world's largest emitter of such gases, has refused to ratify the agreement, saying it would harm the economy and is flawed by the lack of restrictions on emissions by emerging economies China and India. Also, the Kyoto agreement was delayed by the requirement that countries
What is it?
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.
When was it first announced?
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.
Who?
As of June 2013, there are 192 parties to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This total includes 191 states (189 United Nations member states as well as the Cook Islands and Niue) and one supranational union (the European Union).
Aims?
The Kyoto targets vary by region: the UK is committed to cutting its emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2012, and the European Union to an 8% reduction on 1990 levels by 2012. The US agreed to a 7% reduction before President George Bush denounced the pact in 2001. Japan is struggling to find ways to meet its obligations which require it to cut its emissions by 6%. The agreement also allows some countries with low emissions to increase them.
Achievements?
During the first commitment period, 37 industrialized countries and the European Community committed to reduce GHG emissions to an average of five percent against 1990 levels. During the second commitment period, Parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18 percent below 1990 levels in the eight-year period from 2013 to 2020.
Problems?
The US, the world's largest emitter of such gases, has refused to ratify the agreement, saying it would harm the economy and is flawed by the lack of restrictions on emissions by emerging economies China and India. Also, the Kyoto agreement was delayed by the requirement that countries