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The Kyoto Protocol, agreed upon in Japan in 1997, is an international agreement in which many governments around the world agreed to cut the level of emissions they were creating. The Protocol is very complex; however, you can look at the beginners guide to the treaty on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change site.
Follow the link on the website to find out the meaning of the following terms: ratification (R), acceptance (At), approval (Ap) or accession (Ac).
The Protocol requires industrialised countries to cut their emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases to 5.2% below the levels of 1990 by 2008-2012. For example, the UK must reduce its emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels, Germany by 20% , and Japan by 7%. To check if any more countries have signed or ratified since then, check the UNFCCC website.
The Kyoto Protocol will come into force once it is signed and legally ratified by 55 Parties (countries) representing at least 55% of CO2 emissions from industrialised countries in 1990. The UK as part of the European Union ratified the treaty on 31 May 2002. To check how many countries have ratified the Protocol and what percentage of emissions this represents (remember it needs to be 55 countries and 55% of CO2 emissions for the Protocol to enter into force) you can use the Kyoto Protocol Thermometer. Ratification is important for the treaty and problems might be caused if some of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases do not ratify. Already the United States, which is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, has decided not to participate in the Kyoto Protocol.
Find out how much CO2 the UK, USA and Finland create in the UNFCCC searchable emissions database. Which country creates the least CO2? Can you think why?
The UK has agreed under the Kyoto Protocol to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. It has outlined a strategy, The UK Climate Change Programme, which is expected to reduce emissions by over 20%. In addition, the UK is aiming for a 20% reduction in 1990 levels of CO2 by 2010.
These targets, however, are only the start of a long term process. It will require huge efforts to stabilise concentrations of greenhouse gases. Scientists say that we may need to cut global emissions by as much as 60% or 70%, so the more we do now the better.
The harder we work now to be more energy efficient and use alternative sources of energy to fossil fuels, the more we can stabilise lower concentrations of greenhouse gases in the future. This will reduce the impacts of climate change and the cost of adapting to the changes it might cause. Taking action now may also help us to think of better ideas about how to solve the problem in the future.
Scotland has an important role to play in the global effort to combat climate change and the Scottish Executive has produced The Scottish Climate Change Programme.
The Programme shows how Scotland will contribute to the UK targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency is at the heart of this programme because this is seen as one of the most important ways to combat climate change. Energy efficiency needs to be improved in all of the different areas of life that produce greenhouse gases, such as the transport sector and the energy sector (which supplies heat and power to our homes, schools and businesses). The chart below shows the different sources of emissions in Scotland in 1999.
The Scottish Executive launched a campaign called Do a Little - Change a Lot on 4 July 2001 to show how we can all do our bit for a better environment. You may have seen the butterfly logo on posters or on television adverts. Little changes in our daily routine, such as using energy efficient lightbulbs, switching lights off when you are not in the room and walking, cycling or using public transport instead of using a car for short journeys, can really make a difference in the fight against climate change.
At local level better use of energy is being encouraged through Local Agenda 21, an initiative that came out of the Rio Earth Summit, held in 1992. In 1997, the Prime Minister Tony Blair challenged all local authorities to produce Local Agenda 21 strategies by the end of the year 2000. In these strategies councils have to show how they plan to control our use of energy, identify new raw materials, indicate ways of cutting pollution and waste, and encourage recycling of used materials. You can find out the strategy for your council from Sustainable Scotland.
Other countries are also involved in various initiatives to reduce gas emissions. From the Local Initiatives Awards 2000, find out what the winning town called Växjö in Sweden did to win the Excellence in Atmospheric Protection award.
