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The Kyoto Protocol

In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol was agreed by the UNFCCC to combat climate change. In a significant step forward, developed countries agreed for the first time to take on legally binding targets for emissions of the six principal greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). The European Community and a number of other, mainly Eastern European, countries, agreed to reduce emissions by 8% from the 1990 baseline over the 2008-2012 commitment period. The United States agreed to a 7% cut and Japan and Canada to 6%. Some countries, because of their particular circumstances, will be permitted to increase their emissions compared to 1990 levels, but this increase will be limited. Overall, the targets represent a total cut of 5.2% in developed country emissions.

It has since been agreed, how the EU's overall 8% target will be shared out amongst the 15 Member States. The UK will contribute a -12.5% cut in emissions. Other countries' contributions are as follows: Austria (-13%), Belgium (-7.5%), Denmark (-21%), Finland (0%), France (0%), Germany (-21%), Greece (+25%), Ireland (+13%), Italy (-6.5%), Luxembourg (-28%), Netherlands (-6%), Portugal (+27%), Spain (+15%) and Sweden (+4%).

The Protocol also provides for three "Kyoto mechanisms", to help countries achieve part of these commitments through action to reduce emissions abroad. Joint implementation involves a project to reduce emissions in another developed country, while the clean development mechanism allows for similar projects in developing countries. Emissions trading will allow countries that have achieved emissions reductions over-and-above those required by their Kyoto target - to 'sell' the excess to countries finding it more difficult or expensive to meet their commitments. These mechanisms should enable countries to achieve their commitments more cost effectively.

A plan of action to implement the Kyoto agreement was mapped out by the Conference of Parties (COP) in Buenos Aires in 1998. Unfortunately, this plan was not agreed at the sixth COP in the Hague in 2000. Problems for the Protocol were then compounded by the withdrawal of the USA in March 2001.

However, the remaining signatories to the Protocol concluded a compromise agreement in Bonn in July 2001. Funds were set up to assist developing countries. All the flexible mechanisms were allowed. Most importantly, forest, cropland and grazing management sinks were allowed according to country need, and afforestation and reforestation were allowed (to a limit) in the Clean Development Mechanism. Also the penalty for non-compliance is to be increased emission reduction in the second commitment period.

Overall, the compromise agreement will cut emissions of the Annex I countries by 1.8% rather than the 5.2% originally agreed, and the Protocol is diplomatically rather than legally binding.

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