The Political Response
The world’s primary international agreement on combating climate change is the Kyoto Protocol (1997). The Kyoto Protocol is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that have ratified this protocol have committed to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases. (Emissions trading allow countries to “buy” or “sell” emissions permits amongst themselves and is included in the Kyoto Protocol. It provides participating parties with the opportunity to reduce emissions where it is most cost-effective to do so).
While there is continuing debate about just how much greenhouse gas emissions warm the planet, the representatives from over 150 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol and have committed to cut their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 – 2012.
Each country that signed the protocol agreed to cut its own specific target. Japan is expected to cut its present emissions by 5% and EU countries by 8%. Some countries have been permitted to increase their emissions if they were particularly low.
Many environmental campaigners say the actions Kyoto suggests are not enough while some major countries like the USA have argued that the cost of mitigating global warming is too large to be justified. US President George W Bush pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying implementing it would gravely damage the US economy.
The US administration dubbed Kyoto “fatally flawed”, partly because it doesn’t require developing countries like China and India to commit to emissions reductions and have since publicly backed emissions reductions through new energy technologies and voluntary action.
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Climate Change
Quick Facts
Introduction
What is Global Warming ?
The Evidence
How Much Hotter ?
Pressures on Antarctica
Arguments Against It
The Political Response <<
Conclusion
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