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The Kyoto Protocol

THE KYOTO PROTOCOLL -- HOPE FOR THE CLIMATE?

As experts had indicated that a 60-80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions was necessary to limit greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to sustainable levels, Parties had to take further action. At the first COP in Berlin in 1995, they decided that the specific commitments in the Convention for Annex1 Parties were not "adequate" and launched a new round of talks to decide on stronger and more detailed commitments for these countries. After over two years of negotiations, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted at COP 3 in December 1997. It is not in force and will most probably not enter into force until after 2002.

Industrialised countries (Annex I) promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5% from 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012 (the so-called "first commitment period"). The targets cover six greenhouse gases, namely: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). The individual targets for each country are listed in the Protocol's Annex B, ranging from an average 8% cut for the EU to a 10% increase for Iceland.

The EU has allocated the 8% reduction amongst its Member States (known as the EU bubble), resulting in a range of different targets for the different countries. At the upper end, Germany and Denmark have to reduce their emissions by 21% over 1990 levels and Luxembourg even by 28%, Finland and France only have to bring emissions back to 1990 levels and at the lower end, Greece and Portugal can increase their emissions by 25% and 27%.

Source: UNFCCC, official nationa data

EMISSION TRENDS

Since 1990, emissions have risen in many countries so that the Protocol targets are tougher to meet. Therefore, for the developed countries as a whole, the 5% Protocol target represents an actual cut of around 20% of emissions levels that are projected for 2010 if no action is taken. As mentioned before, trends show that industrialised countries emissions in 2010 are likely to be 8% above 1990 levels in the absence of action to implement the Kyoto Protocol. The OECD members [6] of Annex B are projected to be 16% above 1990 levels in 2010, whilst Russia, the Ukraine and Central and East European countries are projected to be 12% below 1990 levels in 2010.


Last year's disasters

International action against climate change

Friends of the Earth's call for action at COP 6

How governments try to wreck the Kyoto Protocol

The UNFCCC

The Kyoto Protocol