Definitions for "Kyoto Protocol"
The result of negotiations at the third Conference of the Parties (COP-3) in Kyoto, Japan, in December of 1997. The Kyoto Protocol sets binding greenhouse gas emissions targets for countries that sign and ratify the agreement. The gases covered under the Protocol include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride.
The Kyoto Protocol calls on major industrialized countries to reduce emissions of carbon dioxides and five other global warming gases in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The protocol was adopted at the Conference of Parties to the Convention III (COP3) held in the ancient Japanese city in 1997. The international accord requires Japan to reduce average annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 6% by 2008-2012 as compared with the 1990 level. The required rate of reduction is 7% for the U.S. and 8% for the European Union. The protocol will take effect next spring if the Russian government ratifies it in accordance with its decision to do so in September 2004. Japan's greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal 2002 were about 13% higher than the level targeted under the protocol, causing many experts to say that ongoing environmental efforts will not be sufficient for the country to honor the international accord.
Established in December 1997 recognizes the need to take further actions to stabilize six species of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6) in order to more effectively address global climate change.