Kyoto Protocol Fact File

The Kyoto Protocol is a global agreement on the reduction of the main greenhouse gas emissions that are linked to climate change and global warming.

The original meeting took place in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, when 110 governments agreed that industrialised countries should cut their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2% from the 1990 level by the year 2008-2012.

The Kyoto Agreement will only become legally binding when the industrialised nations accounting for 55% of the carbon dioxide emissions ratify the agreement.

The protocol has been ratified (authorised) by 118 countries to date, including 32 industrialised countries representing 44.2% of 1990 emissions.

The main perpetrators:

The U.S. emits 36.1% of the greenhouse gases, but will not take part in the Agreement.
That leaves:
The EU emits 24.2%
Russia emits 17.4% but has just backed down from the agreement unless it is amended.
Japan emits 8.6%
Canada emits 3.3%
Australia emits 2.1% also refuses to take part.
Others totalling: 8.3%

And who is still in Kyoto?

The US pulled out of Kyoto in March 2001, saying it is against US economic interests, should include developing nations, and they’re not sure that climate change exists.

Australia (the world’s biggest exporter of coal) pulled out in June 2002, saying it would cost jobs and damage their industry, and is pointless without the US taking part.

Both countries now have their own voluntary plans.

Of the main countries left:
Romania – was the first country to ratify in March 2001
EU – ratified May 2002
Japan – ratified May 2002
China – ratified September 2002
India – ratified August 2002

The main greenhouse gases:

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the earth's atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2): is the main gas and is largely created by burning fuel.
Methane (CH4): which mostly comes from agriculture and waste dumps.
Nitrous oxide (N2O): largely from fertilisers.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): and industrial gases used in refrigeration, heat conductors and insulators.
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): an industrial gas.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6): an industrial gas.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): used in aerosols and refrigeration were not included because these are been banned under another treaty that protects the ozone layer.

Did you know?

   * Germany and Great Britain are the only countries that have met their voluntary targets set out at the 1992 Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro to reduce emissions to 1990 levels.
    * In September 1992 the ozone hole (caused by CFCs and other pollutants) above the Antarctic was nearly the size of North America – by 2001 the ozone hole was three times larger than North America.
    * On March 28, 2001, the US abandoned the treaty on global warming saying that it is against US economic interests.
    * The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claims that the 1990s were the hottest decade in recorded history, and that the global average surface temperature will rise by 1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celcius by the year 2100. They also claim that sea level will rise by 0.09 to 0.88 metres in the same time span flooding numerous low-lying islands and coastal areas, and severe weather incidents will increase.