Kyoto Protocol of 1997

1. Kyoto Protocol of 1997 International protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an international environmental treaty, produced at the Earth Summit held by the United Nations.

2. Summary of Function • Goal of protocol: achieve stabilization/limitation of greenhouse gas emissions by industrialized countries to prevent global warming. • How it works: 187 countries in the world have ratified and agreed to the protocol. Of those 187, the 37 industrialized countries commit to reducing greenhouse gases and two other gas groups*. Each industrialized country is required to submit an annual report of their emissions on the various gases regulated by the protocol while these industrialized countries elect a national authority to see that the Kyoto regulations are being met by these countries.

3. Additional Notes The United States has never ratified the Kyoto Protocol and as a result are not subject to its binding obligations of limiting various pollutants that are excreted by the country. The protocol includes “flexible mechanisms”: while allow emission trading meaning that industrialized countries who have met their emission limitations may purchase emission reductions credits from other, non-industrialized, countries participating in the Kyoto protocol. • Regulated greenhouse gases (4): - carbon dioxide - methane - nitrous oxide - sulphur hexafluoride • Additional regulated gas groups (2): - hydrofluorocarbons - perfluorocarbons • Non-industrialized countries that are not subject to the Kyoto Protocal’s limitations: -Brazil - People’s Republic of China - India - Pakistan