FACTBOX-What is the Kyoto protocol?
MOSCOW, Oct 22 (Reuters) – Russia’s parliament was due to vote on
Friday on ratifying the U.N. Kyoto protocol, the last hurdle before
the long-delayed climate change treaty comes into force worldwide.
Kyoto needs Russian backing to come into force after it was weakened
by a U.S. pullout in 2001.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the pact:
WHAT IS THE KYOTO PROTOCOL?
It is a pact agreed by governments at a 1997 U.N. conference in Kyoto,
Japan, to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by developed
countries by 5.2 percent of 1990 levels during the five-year period
2008-2012. A total of 122 nations have ratified the pact or acceded to
it, according to U.N. data.
IS IT THE FIRST AGREEMENT OF ITS KIND?
Governments originally agreed to tackle climate change at an “Earth
Summit” in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. At that meeting, leaders created
the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which set a
non-binding goal of stabilising emissions at 1990 levels by 2000, a
goal not met overall. The Kyoto protocol is the follow-up to that and
is the first legally binding global agreement to cut greenhouse gases.
SO IT’S LEGALLY BINDING?
It is binding once it has been ratified by at least 55 nations and by
countries representing at least 55 percent of developed countries’
carbon dioxide emissions. Kyoto has been ratified by 126 states but
has so far only received pledges from nations representing 44 percent
of total emissions.
Russia holds the key to Kyoto’s success or failure with its 17 percent
share of emissions by developed nations. U.S. President George W. Bush
pulled out in 2001, arguing that Kyoto was too expensive and unfairly
excludes developing nations. The United States is the biggest polluter
with a 36 percent share.
WHEN WILL IT ENTER INTO FORCE?
Kyoto will apply worldwide 90 days after Russia completes ratification
formalities, including approval by the Duma, upper house and signature
by its key advocate, President Vladimir Putin.
HOW WILL IT BE ENFORCED?
Under a 2001 deal made by environment ministers in Bonn, Germany, if
countries emit more gases than allowed under their targets at the end
of 2012, they will be required to make the cuts, and 30 percent more,
in the second commitment period which is due to start in 2013. They
rejected the idea of a financial penalty.
DOES EVERY COUNTRY HAVE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS BY 5.2 PERCENT?
No, only 39 countries — relatively developed ones — have target
levels for the 2008-12 period, adhering to the principle established
under the UNFCCC that richer countries should take the lead. Each
country negotiated different targets, with Russia aiming for
stabilisation at 1990 levels and the European Union trying for an
eight percent cut.
HOW ARE THEY DOING SO FAR?
Most countries are lagging targets under Kyoto. The UNFCCC Secretariat
says emissions by Spain and Portugal were worst, at 40.5 percent above
1990 levels in 2002 while U.S. emissions, for instance, were up 13.1
percent. Emissions by ex-communist bloc states had fallen most sharply
after the collapse of Soviet-era industries — Russian emissions were
down 38 percent from 1990.
WHAT ARE THESE “GREENHOUSE GASES?”
Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the earth’s
atmosphere. The main one is carbon dioxide (CO2), most of which comes
from burning fossil fuel. The protocol also covers methane (CH4),
much of which comes from agriculture and waste dumps, and nitrous
oxide (N2O), mostly a result of fertiliser use. Three industrial
gases used in various applications, such as refrigerants, heat
conductors and insulators, are also included – they are
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur
hexafluoride (SF6).
WHAT HAPPENS TO COUNTRIES THAT MISS THE TARGET?
The protocol provides for “flexible mechanisms” – ways for countries
to reach their targets without actually reducing emissions at
home. These include emissions trading – where one country buys the
right to emit from another country which has already reduced its
emissions sufficiently and has “spare” emissions reductions. Another
is the “clean development mechanism” where developed countries can
earn credits to offset against their targets by funding clean
technologies, such as solar power, in poorer countries.
Countries can also claim credits for planting trees in the Third World
that soak up CO2 – so-called carbon “sinks.”
10/22/04 05:57 ET