Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international agreement which commits participants to internationally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. It also assists countries in adapting to climate change through the Adaptation Fund by facilitating the development and deployment of technologies to increase resilience.
The Kyoto Protocol followed the UN conference on Sustainable Development held in Stockholm in 1972 and the world summit on sustainable development in Rio in 1992. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol the 'Marrakesh Accords' were adopted at the Conference of Parties in Marrakesh in 2001 and the Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005. Nearly all nations have now ratified the treaty, however, the United States has not.
Under the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities', the Protocol places a greater burden on developed nations in recognition of the fact that historically they have been principally responsible for emissions in the atmosphere.
Countries must meet their targets primarily through national measures, however there are three additional, market-based mechanisms available:
- International Emissions Trading.
- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
- Joint implementation (JI).
These mechanisms are verified by the UN Climate Change Secretariat, based in Bonn.
The first commitment period (2008/2012) covered emissions of the six main greenhouse gases:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Methane (CH4).
- Nitrous oxide (N2O).
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
In the UK, the first commitment period target was to reduce emissions by 12.5% compared to 1990 levels. By 2012 emissions were estimated to be 26.7% below 1990 levels, but 24.9% below 1990 levels if emissions trading was taken into account (ref DECC UK Greenhouse gas emissions: Performance against emissions reduction targets 2012 provisional figures, 5 July 2013)
The second commitment period, from 2013 to 2020, sets an EU-wide target to reduce emissions to 20% below 1990 levels. The UK component of this has yet to be agreed, however, the UK’s Climate Change Act sets a legally binding commitment to cut emissions of greenhouse gasses by at least 34% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.
The Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 8 December 2012. The amendment included:
- New commitments in relation to the second commitment period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020.
- A revised list of greenhouse gases to include nitrogen triflouride (NF3)
- Amendments to several articles of the Protocol.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Brundtland report.
- Carbon plan.
- Civil engineers must report climate-change risk.
- Climate Change Act.
- Climate Change Levy.
- Climate change science.
- Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs.
- COP21 Paris 2015.
- CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Energy Act.
- Energy related products regulations.
- Greenhouse gases.
- Hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs.
- Key messages from the UN climate change conference.
- National Adaptation Programme.
- Montreal Protocol.
- Sustainability.
- The Low Carbon Transition Plan: National strategy for climate and energy.
[edit] External links
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.