Reuters AlertNet Lite - FACTBOX-What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

FACTBOX-What is the Kyoto Protocol?

31 Oct 2006 23:03:25 GMT
Source: Reuters

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Delegates from 189 nations will meet in Nairobi from Nov. 6-17 for annual talks on combating climate change and the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol, meant to cut emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Kyoto:

WHAT IS THE KYOTO PROTOCOL?

- It is a pact agreed by governments at a 1997 U.N. conference in Kyoto, Japan, to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by developed countries to at least 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. A total of 165 nations have ratified the pact.

IS IT THE FIRST AGREEMENT OF ITS KIND?

- Governments agreed to tackle climate change at an "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 with non-binding targets. Kyoto is the follow-up and is the first binding global agreement to cut greenhouse gases.

SO IT IS LEGALLY BINDING?

- Kyoto has legal force from Feb. 16, 2005. It represents 61.6 percent of developed nations' total emissions. The United States, the world's biggest source of emissions, pulled out in 2001, saying Kyoto is too expensive and wrongly omits developing nations from a first round of targets to 2012.

HOW WILL IT BE ENFORCED?

- Countries overshooting their targets in 2012 will have to make both the promised cuts and 30 percent more in a second period from 2013.

DO ALL COUNTRIES HAVE TO CUT EMISSIONS BY FIVE PERCENT?

- No, only 35 relatively developed countries have agreed to targets for 2008-12 under a principle that richer countries are most to blame. They range from an 8 percent cut for the European Union from 1990 levels to a 10 percent rise for Iceland.

HOW ARE THEY DOING SO FAR?

- Rich nations' emissions were 3.3 percent below 1990 levels in 2004, mainly due to a collapse of Soviet-era industries. Emissions are now rising in many countries. In the United States, outside Kyoto, emissions were up 15.8 percent from 1990.

WHAT ARE THESE 'GREENHOUSE GASES?'

- Greenhouse gases trap heat in the earth's atmosphere. The main culprit is carbon dioxide, produced largely from burning fossil fuel. The protocol also covers methane, much of which comes from agriculture, and nitrous oxide, mostly from fertiliser use. Three industrial gases are also included.

HOW WILL COUNTRIES COMPLY?

- The European Union set up a market in January 2005 under which about 12,000 factories and power stations are given carbon dioxide quotas. If they overshoot they can buy extra allowances in the market or pay a financial penalty; if they undershoot they can sell them.

WHAT OTHER MECHANISMS ARE THERE?

- Developed countries can earn credits to offset against their targets by funding clean technologies, such as solar power, in poorer countries. They can also have joint investments in former Soviet bloc nations.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Topics

• Technology

• Climate and Weather

MORE >>

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• China profile
· View map

• India profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• The UMCOR Hotline for October 31, 2006
UMCOR - USA

• Extraordinary Memorial to Executed Writer Saro-Wiwa
Christian Aid - UK

• Stern figures don't add up for world's poor say Christian Aid
Christian Aid - UK

• STERN TEST FOR WORLD LEADERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Christian Aid - UK

• ADRA Provides Immediate Aid for Flash Flood Survivors in Thailand
ADRA - International

MORE >>

Latest news

• Oaxaca crisis threatens incoming Mexican president

• 3rd U.S. Marine to plead guilty in Iraqi death

• Gas price rise undermines US election conspiracy

• Bush gets 'grim' report on Darfur, weighs new steps

• Kerry draws US Republican fire for Iraq comment

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Oct 31 23:05:52 2006