Kyoto protocol and after: a critical exposition (original) (raw)
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The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, aimed to address climate change by establishing legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries. This paper examines the Protocol's objectives, mechanisms, and challenges. It analyzes the specific objectives outlined in the Protocol and evaluates the mechanisms implemented to achieve these goals, including emissions trading, Clean Development Mechanism. Furthermore, the paper explores the key challenges faced by the Protocol, such as lack of US participation, insufficient emission reduction targets, difficulties in monitoring and enforcement. The analysis concludes with a discussion of the Protocol's legacy and its implications for future climate action.
THE KYOTO PROTOCOL IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE + ANDREJA CIRMAN * POLONA DOMADENIK TJAŠA REDEK
Th e global climate has changed notably since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses (GHG) have increased dramatically followed by an increase in global average temperature. In order to avoid negative potential outcomes of global warming, countries have adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that has so far been ratifi ed by 192 countries. In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol, a binding GHG reduction plan, was adopted and entered into force in 2005. But several countries, including the USA, have had doubts about the potential negative consequences of the planned 5% global joint reduction of GHG. However, studies generally show that on a macroeconomic level: (1) welfare loss in terms of GDP and lost growth in EU is low; (2) it diff ers among economies; and (3) permit trading and permit price (in either global or regional markets) is highly correlated with the welfare loss. Th e main objective of the paper is to describe the attitudes and responses to the Kyoto Protocol from a global perspective. Th e paper has three objectives. First, to provide an overview of global greenhouse gas emissions and the big drivers behind these emissions. Second, to present where diff erent countries, both developed and less developed countries, such as India, China and the countries of South-east Europe currently stand as regards their eff orts to achieve the Kyoto Protocol requirements. Th ird, to analyse the responses and attitudes to the Kyoto Protocol from a country development perspective.
Final report of the study “Past and Future of the Kyoto Protocol”
2004
SUMMARY This report reflects the main findings from a study on the realization of and prospects for the Kyoto Protocol, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing, and the Environment. The study consisted of a literature review, interviews, and an expert panel.
Kyoto Protocol - A Milestone On The Road To A Low Carbon Economy
2008
Human activities have had an impact on environment since immemorial times but significant effects could be traced since about 500 years. The world is getting rapidly warmer, and there is an overwhelming consensus among the leading climate scientists that this is being caused mainly by carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' emitted by human activities. the responsibility of various countries vis-a-vis environment pollution is not equal. At the same time, neither the resources and scientific capabilities of various countries which can be used for the control of pollution are not equal. The need for international cooperation and coordination is self-evident because less developed countries cannot by themselves find solutions to environment pollution and at the same time they cannot be condemned to underdevelopment.
Energy Procedia, 2013
The Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force on 16 February 2005, commits developed countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases by 5% in 2012 compared to 1990. Due to the abstention of the United States and the absence of constraint on Southern countries, the protocol establishes obligations only to countries that represent only 33% of global CO2 emissions. All the diplomatic effort is therefore to seek the commitment of discussion for the period after 2012 since it is likely that neither the United States nor China, nor India will adopt the Kyoto commitments. The participation of emerging countries is imperative. Europe has said his new commitment: at the European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005, Heads of State and Government of Member States concluded that should be considered for the group of developed countries, reduction profiles of about 15% to 30% by 2020. This new European order has nevertheless helped to advance the seminar which brought together in May in Bonn, stakeholders in the climate treaty. This meeting showed that progress was possible: two large southern states, Mexico and South Africa insisted that the next climate conference in Montreal in December adopts a negotiating mandate for a post-Kyoto agreement. The position of China has also evolved: climate change is a reality and a major concern but clean technology transfers from North to South are a prerequisite for engagement of the Southern countries. However, India remains on a more critical position, since it considers that the rich countries "continue to increase their emissions and violate their commitments in relation to financial assistance and technology transfer". The president of the United States has estimated, July 7, 2005, that there was a consensus between members of the G8 on issues related to climate change, particularly on the need to start discussing commitments to be made for the period which succeed 2012 term of the Kyoto Protocol. This discussion of the future should involve the major emerging countries. The work started in 2005 by the "dialogue" on the long-term concerted action has produced promising results which at the Bali conference in December 2007, were the basis for the establishment of a special working group on the long term concerted action. The essential point of this second negotiation process is to search in the effort to integrate the developing countries and, more particularly, emerging economies such as China, India or Brazil, whose current emissions and / or projected should exceed those of developed countries during the first half of the twenty-first century. In retrospect, the progress obtained on this front is modest but significant, especially following the conference of Cancun in November-December 2010.
Beyond Kyoto: Identifying the Long-term Options
2000
Widespread political support indicates that the process towards the Kyoto Protocol is still alive, notwithstanding the uncertainty about its coming into force (notably because Russia still hesitates to ratify). However, whatever Russia's strategy, the US decision not to ratify Kyoto has weakened the Kyoto Protocol and undermined its environmental effectiveness. At the same time, general consensus has emerged that the
The Kyoto Protocol and developing countries
Energy Policy, 2000
The MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change is an organization for research, independent policy analysis, and public education in global environmental change. It seeks to provide leadership in understanding scientific, economic, and ecological aspects of this difficult issue, and combining them into policy assessments that serve the needs of ongoing national and international discussions. To this end, the Program brings together an interdisciplinary group from two established research centers at MIT: the Center for Global Change Science (CGCS) and the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR). These two centers bridge many key areas of the needed intellectual work, and additional essential areas are covered by other MIT departments, by collaboration with the Ecosystems Center of the Marine Biology Laboratory (MBL) at Woods Hole, and by short-and long-term visitors to the Program. The Program involves sponsorship and active participation by industry, government, and non-profit organizations. To inform processes of policy development and implementation, climate change research needs to focus on improving the prediction of those variables that are most relevant to economic, social, and environmental effects. In turn, the greenhouse gas and atmospheric aerosol assumptions underlying climate analysis need to be related to the economic, technological, and political forces that drive emissions, and to the results of international agreements and mitigation. Further, assessments of possible societal and ecosystem impacts, and analysis of mitigation strategies, need to be based on realistic evaluation of the uncertainties of climate science. This report is one of a series intended to communicate research results and improve public understanding of climate issues, thereby contributing to informed debate about the climate issue, the uncertainties, and the economic and social implications of policy alternatives. Titles in the Report Series to date are listed on the inside back cover.