Environmental Management> Chapter- 3 > Topic- Global Warming > Sub-Topic -Kyoto Protocol

 What is Kyoto Protocol ? 

Kyoto Protocol, 1997

The Kyoto Protocol was an agreement among developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and greenhouse gases (GHG) to minimize the impacts of climate change.

The Protocol applied to 6 greenhouse gases:

1. carbon dioxide
2. methane
3. nitrous oxide
4. hydrofluorocarbons
5. perfluorocarbons
6. sulfur hexafluoride.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997.

Due to a complex ratification process, it entered into force on 16 February 2005. Currently, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. 

In short, the Kyoto Protocol operationalizes the UNFCCC by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by agreed individual targets.

The Convention itself only asks those countries to adopt policies and measures on mitigation and to report periodically.

The Kyoto Protocol is based on the principles and provisions of the Convention and follows its annex-based structure.

• It only binds developed countries and places a heavier burden on them under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”, because it recognizes that they are largely responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere. 

• In its Annex B, the Kyoto Protocol sets binding emission reduction targets for 37 industrialized countries and economies in transition and the European Union.

• Overall, these targets add up to an average 5 percent emission reduction compared to 1990 levels over the five years 2008-2012 (the first commitment period). 

• If participant countries continue with emissions above the targets, then they are required to engage in emissions trading; i.e. buying "credits" from other participant countries who are able to exceed their reduction targets in order to offset. 

• The goals of Kyoto were to see participants collectively reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% below the emission levels of 1990 by 2012. 

• While the 5.2% figure is a collective one, individual countries were assigned higher or lower targets and some countries were permitted increases. For example, the USA was expected to reduce emissions by 7%. This chart gives you an idea why different countries were apportioned different targets: 

The Doha Amendment

In Doha, Qatar, on 8 December 2012, the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol was adopted for a second commitment period, starting in 2013 and lasting until 2020.

The amendment includes:

• New commitments for Annex I Parties to the Kyoto Protocol who agreed to take on commitments in a second commitment period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020

• A revised list of GHG to be reported on by Parties in the second commitment period; and Amendments to several articles of the Kyoto Protocol specifically referenced issues about the first commitment period and which needed to be updated for the second commitment period.

• During the second commitment period, Parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18 percent below 1990 levels in the eight years from 2013 to 2020.

Some facts about Kyoto Protocol

• 192 countries are parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

• 84 countries are signatories of the Kyoto Protocol.

• Canada, Andorra, The United States of America, and South Sudan are not parties to the protocol.

• It is legally binding and only members of the UNFCCC can become parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

• It was adopted at the 3rd session of UNFCCC

• To meet the targets of the Kyoto Protocol, member countries cannot include international shipping and international aviation

• Countries can use Land Use (LU), land-use change (LUC), and Forestry to meet their Kyoto targets.

• China signed the protocol in 1998.

• The protocol did not include ozone-depleting substances which were later covered by the Montreal protocol. 

India and Kyoto Protocol

• India was exempted from obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the law.

• India placed special emphasis on the differences in the burden of duty for climate action between industrialized and developing countries. 

• India was able to uphold its responsibility for socioeconomic growth while simultaneously pressuring other industrialized nations in the Annex I category to shoulder greater responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• India has ratified the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol or the Doha Amendment to meet the emission targets for the period 2012-2020.

• India was the 80th country to accept the amendment. 

References- 

https://www.clearias.com/kyoto-protocol/

https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/kyoto-protocol/

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