Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that aims to address the issue of global warming. It was adopted on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into force on February 16, 2005.
The main objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to mitigate climate change. It sets binding targets for industrialized countries, also known as Annex I countries, to reduce their emissions of six major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Under the protocol, countries committed to specific emissions reduction targets for the period 2008-2012, known as the first commitment period. The reduction targets varied among countries and were based on their historical emissions and their capacity to adopt and implement mitigation measures.
The Kyoto Protocol introduced three market-based mechanisms to assist countries in meeting their emission reduction targets:
- Emissions Trading: This allows countries to buy and sell emissions credits, promoting cost-effective emission reductions.
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): It enables developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries and receive credits for those reductions.
- Joint Implementation (JI): It allows developed countries to earn emission reduction credits by investing in emission reduction projects in other developed countries.
However, it’s important to note that the Kyoto Protocol faced some challenges and limitations. One of the major limitations was that it did not include emission reduction commitments for major developing countries, such as China and India, which are now among the world’s largest emitters. This led to concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of the protocol.
Furthermore, the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period ended in 2012, and its second commitment period never came into effect due to insufficient ratification by countries. In its place, the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 as a more comprehensive and inclusive international climate agreement.
While the Kyoto Protocol may no longer be the primary instrument for addressing climate change, it played a crucial role in raising awareness and laying the foundation for subsequent climate agreements. It highlighted the need for international cooperation and action to tackle the challenges posed by global warming.
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