Kyoto, 11 December 1997
Objectives
The Kyoto Protocol has the same ultimate objective as the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the stabilization
of atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such
a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems
to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is
not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable
manner.
At the first United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference
of the Parties in Berlin in 1995, the Contracting Parties reviewed the
commitments by the developed countries under the Convention and decided
that the commitment to aim at returning their emissions to 1990 levels
by the year 2000 was inadequate for achieving the Convention's long-term
objective. The Conference adopted the "Berlin Mandate" and launched a new
round of negotiations on strengthening the commitments of the Contracting
Parties from developed countries. At the third Conference of the Parties
in Kyoto in 1997, the Parties adopted the Kyoto Protocol.
Key Provisions
In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, Contracting Parties from developed
countries are committed to reducing their combined greenhouse gas emissions
by at least 5 per cent from 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012. The targets
cover the six main greenhouse gases, namely, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), along with some activities in the
land-use change and forestry sector that remove carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere (carbon "sinks"). Each Contracting Party from developed countries
is required to have made demonstrable progress in implementing its emission
reduction commitments by 2005.
Implementation of the legally binding Protocol commitments promises to
produce an historic reversal of the upward trend in emissions from developed
countries.
The Kyoto Protocol also establishes three innovative mechanisms, known
as joint implementation, emissions trading and the clean development mechanism,
which are designed to help Contracting Parties included in Annex I of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce the costs
of meeting their emission targets. The clean development mechanism also
aims to promote sustainable development in developing countries. The operational
details of these mechanisms are now being fleshed out by the Contracting
Parties.
The procedure for the communication and review of information is established
in the Kyoto Protocol. Contracting Parties from developed countries are
required to incorporate in their national communications the supplementary
information necessary to demonstrate compliance with their commitments
under the Protocol in accordance with guidelines to be developed. The information
submitted shall be reviewed by expert review teams, pursuant to guidelines
established by the Conference of the Parties, which is the supreme body
that shall regularly review and promote effective implementation of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.
The Protocol provides that the Contracting Parties shall periodically review
the Protocol in the light of the best available scientific information
and assessment on climate change and its impacts. The first review will
take place at the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol. Further reviews shall take
place at regular intervals and in a timely manner. A framework for a compliance
system is required to be developed under the Protocol.