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Kyoto Protocol Seeks to Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
Beyond Kyoto
In December 2007, thousands of delegates descended on Bali, Indonesia to start the negotiations to build a framework for confronting climate change that will replace the Kyoto Protocol. WWF is an active player in the climate debate. In Bali, our climate team, many of whom served as official delegates representing their respective countries, played a central role in reaching an agreement. Read more.
The Kyoto Protocol arose from the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and was adopted in 1997. This Protocol requires industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by 5 percent below the 1990 levels by 2008-2012. It is the world's only agreement on limiting global warming pollution and has been ratified by more than 120 countries. United States not being one of them.
Targets
Countries who have ratified the Protocol need to make demonstrable progress by 2005. Penalties will be applied to countries that fail to meet their emissions targets. While the Kyoto Protocol contains no binding targets for developing countries, these countries must put in place policies and measures to reduce their emissions.
Policies and measures
Kyoto participants can reach their emissions targets in a number of ways:
- reduce emissions domestically
- use flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation.
- use the carbon absorbed in so-called sinks such as forests and agricultural land against their target
EU and Emissions trading
The EU has committed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 8 percent below 1990 emission levels. The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is key to this as it includes emission caps for all large industrial polluters.
National Emissions targets
The current National Allocation Plans (NAPs) give industries very relaxed emission targets. The next round of NAPs is due before 2007 and will cover the 2008-2012 Kyoto compliance period. These plans must ensure that national industries cut climate pollution cost-effectively. The EU cannot rely solely on emissions trading to meet the European Kyoto target.
Other policies and measures
Additional EU policies are essential and should include:
- new and ambitious energy efficiency policies in all sectors
- new and ambitious renewable energy targets for 2020
- legally-binding fuel efficiency standards for cars
- fiscal incentives and investments in train systems and public transport.
Climate change & developing countries
Industrialized countries also committed to the transfer of climate friendly technologies to developing countries. Around 4 euros out of every 10 euros going to developing countries is spent currently on fossil fuel energy projects. Of this, 20 percent is from Export Credit Agencies (ECA) - publicly funded institution promoting exports. WWF believes that ECAs should support solely sustainable energy technologies.
Investing in clean energy
Other multilateral lending agencies such as the World Bank and in Europe, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should also refocus their energy-related investments on clean energy and energy efficiency.
News and Updates
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Impacts from Extreme Weather Events Made Worse Due to Lack of Conservation, Report Finds July 02, 2008
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Senior WWF official Urges Congress to Embrace Global Approach to Species Conservation June 24, 2008
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Ecosystem and Resource Managers Must Prepare for Climate Change, New Government Study Finds June 20, 2008
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Climate Change Fueling Extreme Weather Events, Government Study Finds June 19, 2008
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WWF Statement on Senate Climate Bill June 06, 2008
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WWF Experts
Richard Moss
Vice President and Managing Director for Climate Change
“Climate change and what we do about it is going to transform the world much more rapidly than people realize. It’s my goal to get us moving to a world we will want, not one we’ll regret leaving for our children and grandchildren.”
Climate witness
Van Beacham is a professional fly fishing guide and lives in northern New Mexico. Van has been fishing since he was 6 years old. Over the years he has witnessed many of the effects that warmer temperatures are having on the river systems and the fish that depend on them.
» Read more
» View All Climate Witness Accounts
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