International action - The UN and the Kyoto Protocol
Bali Climate Change Conference, December 2007
The United Nations (UN) has been at the heart of global agreements on action to tackle climate change, centred on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed in 1992. Now, with the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol due to end in 2012, the world is again looking to the UN and the UNFCCC as the forum to agree a new framework that takes us beyond 2012. At the UN Bali Climate Change Conference in December 2007 agreement was reached to launch negotiations for a global and comprehensive agreement, to be concluded in 2009 at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Climate change and the United Nations
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and 189 countries have now signed it, including the United States and Australia. The ultimate aim of the Convention is to stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that would avoid dangerous climate change. It also placed a non-binding commitment on developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000.
The UK is one of a small number of countries who met this voluntary target. The most up to date data on the UK's emissions show that carbon dioxide emissions fell by 6.4 per cent between 1990 and 2005 and total greenhouse gas emissions fell by 15.3 per cent over the same period (for more information on domestic measures see the UK's Climate Change Programme).
Parties to the Framework Convention take part in international meetings to negotiate on issues related to the Convention.
The Kyoto Protocol
It was quickly recognised that the UNFCCC could only be a first step in the international response to climate change. Climate prediction models show that deeper cuts in emissions will be needed to prevent serious interference with the climate. The Kyoto Protocol, agreed in 1997, was designed to address this issue. The Protocol has since been ratified by over 166 countries, and entered into force (became legally binding) in February 2005.
The Kyoto Protocol is the first ever international treaty to set legally binding emissions reduction targets on developed countries that have ratified it. Developed (Annex 1) countries agreed to targets that will reduce their overall emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride) by 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels over the period 2008-2012.
Only Annex 1 countries have legally binding emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. For example, the European Union and its member states agreed to a reduction of emissions from 1990 levels of -8 per cent, Japan and Canada to -6 per cent, Russia and the Ukraine to return to 1990 levels, and Australia was allowed an 8 per cent increase.
Kyoto Mechanisms - to help cut emissions
As well as setting targets, the Kyoto Protocol also establishes four flexible mechanisms:
- Bubble Policy
- Joint Implementation
- Clean Development Mechanism
- Emissions trading
All of which are designed to help Annex I Parties cut the cost of meeting their emissions targets.
- See our Kyoto Mechanisms section for further information
Kyoto and the European Union
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union and its Member States have agreed to meet a joint target of a an 8 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2012. This 'bubble' arrangement allows the EU's target to be redistributed between member states to reflect their national circumstances, requirements for economic growth, and the scope for further emission reductions.
The UK agreed to reduce its emissions by 12.5 per cent, which is its legally binding target under the Kyoto Protocol. Targets for other member states ranged from -21 per cent for Germany and Denmark, to -6 per cent for the Netherlands, +13 per cent for Ireland and +27 per cent for Portugal. The European Climate Change Programme is designed to help the EU to meet its shared target.
Most developed countries believe that the targets they agreed at Kyoto are demanding. In many cases, their emissions are forecast to be significantly higher than 1990 levels in 2010.
The UK is on track to meet, and surpass, its Kyoto target. UK emissions in 2010 are predicted to be 23.6 per cent below base year levels, 11.1 per cent lower than required by Kyoto.
International Meetings to the UN Framework Convention and Kyoto Protocol
The Conference of the Parties
Environment Ministers meet annually, usually in November, at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) to negotiate on relevant issues related to the Convention. The members of the Kyoto Protocol meet at the same time at the COP/MOP. Officials meet alongside the COP, and also in May, to discuss technical issues under the Subsidiary Bodies. There are two such bodies that advise the COP; the Subsidiary Body for Science and Technological Advice (SBSTA) and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI).
For further information on meetings of the COP please see:
- The Conference of the Parties (on UNFCC website)
Page last modified: 14 April 2008
Page published: 01 December, 2005