What is Kyoto Protocol?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
The core of the Kyoto Protocol is its legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. These targets varied by country, reflecting different national circumstances. For example, the European Union committed to an 8% reduction from 1990 levels, while the US initially agreed to a 7% reduction (though they never ratified the agreement). This differentiated responsibility is a key principle.
- 2.
The Protocol covers six main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). These gases have different global warming potentials, so the Protocol uses a CO2 equivalent to standardize measurements. For example, methane is about 25 times more potent than CO2 over a 100-year period.
- 3.
The Kyoto Protocol introduced three 'flexible mechanisms' to help countries meet their emission reduction targets: Emissions Trading (also known as 'cap and trade'), the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Joint Implementation (JI). These mechanisms allow countries to invest in emission reduction projects in other countries or trade emission allowances.
- 4.
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) allows developed countries to earn emission reduction credits by investing in projects in developing countries. For example, a German company could invest in a solar power plant in India and receive credits that count towards Germany's emission reduction target. This is meant to promote sustainable development in developing countries.
- 5.
Joint Implementation (JI) allows developed countries to earn emission reduction units by investing in projects in other developed countries. For example, a Japanese company could invest in upgrading a coal-fired power plant in Poland to make it more efficient and receive credits. This encourages technology transfer and cooperation among developed nations.
- 6.
Emissions Trading, or 'cap and trade', allows countries that have exceeded their emission reduction targets to sell their excess allowances to countries that have not met their targets. This creates a market for carbon emissions, incentivizing countries to reduce emissions below their targets. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is an example of a regional cap-and-trade system.
- 7.
The Protocol established a compliance system to ensure that countries meet their emission reduction targets. This system includes monitoring, reporting, and verification of emissions data, as well as penalties for non-compliance. However, the effectiveness of the compliance system has been questioned, particularly after some countries withdrew from the Protocol.
- 8.
The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ran from 2008 to 2012. Many countries, particularly in Europe, met or exceeded their targets during this period. However, global emissions continued to rise, largely due to increased emissions from developing countries like China and India, which were not subject to binding targets under the Protocol.
- 9.
The second commitment period, established by the Doha Amendment, ran from 2013 to 2020. However, the Doha Amendment was not widely ratified, and its impact was limited. Many countries shifted their focus to the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015 and includes commitments from both developed and developing countries.
- 10.
One of the biggest criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol is that it only covered a small portion of global emissions, as major emitters like the US and China were not fully committed. This limited its overall effectiveness in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement aims to address this limitation by including commitments from all countries.
- 11.
The Kyoto Protocol did not include specific mechanisms to address deforestation and land use change, which are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement places greater emphasis on these issues, recognizing the importance of forests and other ecosystems in mitigating climate change.
- 12.
The principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' is central to the Kyoto Protocol. This means that all countries have a responsibility to address climate change, but developed countries have a greater responsibility due to their historical contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. This principle is also reflected in the Paris Agreement, but with a greater emphasis on national circumstances and capabilities.
Visual Insights
Key Aspects of the Kyoto Protocol
Mind map illustrating the core components and related concepts of the Kyoto Protocol.
Kyoto Protocol
- ●Principles
- ●Mechanisms
- ●Commitment Periods
- ●Limitations
Recent Developments
5 developmentsThe Kyoto Protocol's second commitment period officially ended in 2020, marking the end of its legally binding emission reduction targets.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, has largely superseded the Kyoto Protocol as the primary international framework for addressing climate change. It includes commitments from both developed and developing countries.
Many countries that participated in the Kyoto Protocol have now set more ambitious emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement, reflecting a growing commitment to climate action.
The European Union, a key participant in the Kyoto Protocol, has implemented its own emissions trading system (EU ETS) and has set legally binding targets for reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
While the Kyoto Protocol is no longer the primary focus of international climate negotiations, its legacy continues to influence the development of climate policies and mechanisms around the world.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. What's the most common MCQ trap regarding the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement?
The most common trap is confusing the legally binding nature of emission reduction targets. The Kyoto Protocol had legally binding targets for developed countries only. The Paris Agreement, while broader in scope, relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which are not legally binding in the same way. Examiners often create questions where they imply the Paris Agreement has stricter, legally enforced targets than Kyoto, which isn't entirely accurate.
Exam Tip
Remember: Kyoto = legally binding targets (developed countries), Paris = NDCs (not legally binding in the same way).
2. Why did the US not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, despite initially agreeing to a 7% reduction target?
The US government, under President George W. Bush, did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol primarily due to concerns about its potential economic impact and the exclusion of developing countries like China and India from binding emission reduction targets. The argument was that without commitments from these rapidly growing economies, the Protocol would be ineffective in addressing global climate change and would unfairly disadvantage the US economy.
3. How do the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) differ, and why were they created?
Both CDM and JI are 'flexible mechanisms' designed to help countries meet their Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets. The key difference lies in where the emission reduction projects take place: CDM: Involves developed countries investing in emission reduction projects in developing countries. JI: Involves developed countries investing in emission reduction projects in other developed countries or economies in transition. They were created to lower the overall cost of meeting emission reduction targets by allowing countries to invest where it's most cost-effective.
- •CDM: Developed country invests in a developing country.
- •JI: Developed country invests in another developed country or economy in transition.
Exam Tip
Think of CDM as 'North (developed) investing in South (developing)' and JI as 'North investing in North/East (transition economies)'.
4. What are the main criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol's effectiveness in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions?
Critics point to several limitations: Limited Scope: It only placed binding targets on developed countries, while emissions from developing countries (especially China and India) grew significantly during the Protocol's commitment periods. US Non-Participation: The US, a major emitter, did not ratify the Protocol, reducing its overall impact. Carbon Leakage: Some argue that it led to 'carbon leakage,' where industries moved production to countries with less stringent emission regulations, negating some of the reductions. Doha Amendment Limitations: The second commitment period (Doha Amendment) had limited participation and impact.
- •Limited Scope: Only binding targets on developed countries.
- •US Non-Participation: Reduced overall impact.
- •Carbon Leakage: Industries moved to countries with less stringent regulations.
- •Doha Amendment Limitations: Limited participation and impact.
5. The Kyoto Protocol introduced 'Emissions Trading'. Explain how this works in practice and give a real-world example.
Emissions trading, also known as 'cap and trade,' sets a limit (cap) on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by a group of companies or countries. Companies receive or buy emission allowances, representing the right to emit a certain amount. Those that can reduce emissions cheaply can sell their excess allowances to those that find it more expensive. Example: The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a real-world example. Power plants and industrial facilities in the EU receive or purchase allowances. If a plant reduces its emissions below its allowance, it can sell the surplus to another plant that exceeded its limit. This creates a market incentive for emission reductions.
6. How has the Paris Agreement superseded the Kyoto Protocol, and what are the key differences in their approaches to climate change?
The Paris Agreement superseded the Kyoto Protocol by establishing a more comprehensive framework for addressing climate change, with broader participation and a different approach: Participation: The Kyoto Protocol primarily focused on developed countries, while the Paris Agreement includes commitments from both developed and developing nations. Binding Targets vs. NDCs: Kyoto had legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. The Paris Agreement relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are voluntary targets set by each country. Scope: The Paris Agreement aims for a broader range of actions, including mitigation, adaptation, and finance, while Kyoto primarily focused on mitigation through emission reduction targets. Long-term Goal: The Paris Agreement sets a long-term goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Kyoto did not have such an explicit long-term temperature goal.
- •Participation: Kyoto - Developed countries only; Paris - Developed and developing.
- •Targets: Kyoto - Binding targets; Paris - Voluntary NDCs.
- •Scope: Kyoto - Primarily mitigation; Paris - Mitigation, adaptation, finance.
- •Goal: Paris - Explicit long-term temperature goal.