Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol[1]  is the first major step toward reduction of green house gases. It commits industrialized countries to stabilize greenhouse gases. 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. The reason for the lengthy time span between the terms of agreement being settled upon and the protocol being engaged was due to terms of Kyoto requiring at least 55 parties to ratify the agreement and for the total of those parties emissions to be at least 55% of global production of greenhouse gases. USA reject this protocol in 2001.

Participating countries that have ratified  the Kyoto Protocol have committed to cut emissions of not only carbon dioxide, but of also other greenhouse gases: a) Methane (CH4) b) Nitrous oxide (N2O) c) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)  d) Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) e) Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

The goals of Kyoto were to see participants collectively reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% below the emission levels of 1990 by 2012. While the 5.2% figure is a collective one, individual countries were assigned higher or lower targets and some countries were permitted increases. For example, the USA was expected to reduce emissions by 7 %.( Under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities “  or CBDR because developed are mainly responsible for green house gases).

India and China, which have ratified the Kyoto protocol, are not obligated to reduce greenhouse gas production at the moment as they are developing countries

In 2011, Canada, become the first country to quit the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, saying the 1997 accord was handicapped because top green house emitters like the United States and China not covered by it

Three Mechanism of Kyoto Protocol:

Important element of the Kyoto Protocol is its flexibility mechanisms. This enable participating nations to achieve their emission targets by means other than simply reducing their own national emissions of greenhouse gases – hence, the term “flexibility mechanisms.” The Protocol provides for three such mechanisms:

Clean Development: This mechanism allows annex 1[2] nations to receive emission credits towards their own emission targets by participating in certain projects in developing (or Non-annex 1) countries. These Clean Development projects must be approved by members of the Protocol and must contribute to sustainable development and greenhouse gas emission reductions in the host developing country.

Joint Implementation: This mechanism allows Annex 1 nations to receive emission credits towards their own emission targets by participating in certain projects with other Annex 1 nations. These Joint Implementation projects must be approved by all nations participating in the project, and must either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or contribute to enhanced greenhouse gas removal through emission sinks (i.e. reforestation).

Emissions Trading: This mechanism allows Annex 1 nations to purchase emission ‘credits’ from other Annex 1 countries. Some countries will be below the emission targets assigned to them under the Protocol and, as such, will have spare emission credits. Under the emissions trading system, other nations may purchase these spare credits and use them towards their own emission targets.

The Kyoto Protocol was launched with the well intentions to control climate change. But  rise in level of carbon dioxide, and temperature is not presenting the desirable picture.

Without the USA ratifying the protocol or recently emerging economic powerhouses such as China reducing emissions drastically; the targets was not likely not be met. 

There was also limited availability of crucial data and knowledge at that time.

Kyoto should be viewed as a stepping stone to more drastic action. And that action is required now.

 

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