Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol now four years old is a contract between countries to cut down green house gases emissions in the atmosphere by 2012. The protocol took thirteen years of planning and discussion, which shows a problem with urgent environmental matters – they are dealt with very slowly. The Kyoto Protocol hopes to reduce carbon emissions to the same they were in 1990, an estimated 5.2% decrease in emissions, and was decided in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. The protocol has been ratified by 118 countries to date, including 32 countries representing 44.2% of emissions.

The protocol hopes to cut down on the following green house gases which have affected our atmosphere the most and are causing the most damage to our environment. The greenhouse gases which are to be cut down include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and Hydro fluorocarbons.

The protocol also hopes to bring into the world emission trading which allows countries to buy and sell their agreed allowances of greenhouse gases emissions. Therefore countries which highly pollute will be able to buy unused credits from other countries and the other way round for countries which pollute less can sell their credits to highly polluting countries. Countries can also gain credits for actions and activity which help reduce emissions which can include tree planting, and other things by the country.

However not included in the protocol include the US (36.1%) pulled out of Kyoto in March 2001, saying it is against US economic interests, should include developing nations and America are not sure the climate change exists. Australia (the world’s biggest exporter of coal) pulled out in June 2002, saying it would cost jobs and damages their industry, and is pointless without the US taking part; however in 2007 Australia’s new government elected signed the protocol and declared full participation in the protocol.

Russia also signed the protocol in 2004; even though they feared it may effect their economic growth. Russia believes that they could now actually make money out of the protocol, by later in the future when emission trading gets under way by selling credits. Also the requirements for Russia is to meet emission levels in 1990, since Russia’s economy collapsed after 1990, they do not have to decrease their emissions at all, since their output of greenhouse gases has shrunk by nearly 40%, they already meet requirements.

Major emitting countries included in the protocol include:

• Romania – was the first country to ratify in March 2001
• EU (All fifth teen) – ratified May 2002
• Japan – ratified May 2002
• China – ratified September 2002
• India – ratified August 2002

After four years of the protocol being in place, Germany and England are the only countries to date that have met their agreements. Unlike 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 which shows it is becoming more and more necessary to begin cutting down on emissions. Developing countries however were not included in the protocol due to economic issues they already face.

So far like mentioned only Germany and England have met their voluntary agreements, with countries like Spain and Portugal who have increased emissions by more than 40% since 1990. Whilst it has had some affect only countries and greenhouse gases emissions, little so far has actually been done and it looks very unlikely that if countries don’t begin shortly, it will be almost impossible to meet green house gases emissions by 2012, only three years away from now.

In conclusion to whether the agreement is sensible, and whether there is chance that the proposed targets will be met, look slightly unlikely. First the treaty suffered a massive blow in 2001 when the US, responsible for about quarter of the world’s emissions, pulled out. There is not even any certainty that the 15 countries that were members of the EU in 1997 will meet their collective target of an 8% reduction on 1990 levels. France, Sweden and the UK have begun decreasing their emissions, but others – such as Spain, Portugal and Ireland – have made no progress at all. Therefore we cannot guarantee that when emission trading gets under way, that this will be taken seriously and that all countries will take part.