Guide Note: The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment in to the international treaty on climate change. The ultimate goal of the protocol is to stabilize greenhouse gas emission concentrations in the atmosphere.
Fast Facts:
- 2007: 181 countries and various government entities have ratified the agreement
- Signatory countries must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a collective average of 5.2% below the 1990 level
- Countries that don't meet their Kyoto obligations will be forced to submit 1.3 emission allowances
- Now covers more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally
- Countries categorized as Annex I countries (developed countries) that have accepted greenhouse gas reduction obligations and non-annex I countries (developing countries) that don't produce greenhouse gas emissions but are participating in the Clean Development Mechanism
- Not ratified by the United States and Australia
