We often read in the news information about the acquaintance Kyoto or Kyoto protocol On climate change, an international agreement that was signed with a view to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus minimize the effects of global warming, but what is this protocol exactly and what influence does it have – or can it have – for the planet?
This agreement was created by way of response for the threat of the climate field and the problems that world industries pose to the environment. The promoter was the United Nations Organization (UN) in 1997 in Kyoto (Japan). It proposes to ensure that countries (especially the most industrialized and most pollute) commit themselves to adopting measures to reduce their emissions. Right now, and always depending on each nation, the reduction of at least 5.2% in the emission of highly polluting gases that is destroying the planet is proposed. In Ecology Verde, we explain a Summary about what the Kyoto protocol is and what is.
What is the Kyoto or Kyoto protocol – summary
Starting from what is indicated at the beginning and a summary mode, we can say that this protocol watches over Reduce pollutant gas emissions and improve the environment. Each signature country, individually, is bound by the Kyoto protocol to meet some issuance percentages with the objective of reducing pollution. What you want to achieve are emission reduction goals for a number of industrialized countries, including all members of the European Union. Pollution permits (the maximum they can contaminate) are calculated depending on the pollution rates that each nation emits.
This protocol is of great importance, being the only international mechanism to deal with climate change and minimize its impacts. It is an instrument that is within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CMNUCC)one of the most important international legal devices aimed at fighting the dangerous climate change. This protocol tries to promote governments to establish laws to fulfill their commitments and also companies must have responsibility. We could catalog it as an important step.
What greenhouse gases must be reduced according to the Kyoto protocol
These are the Greenhouse gases that must be reduced as agreed in the Kyoto or Kyoto protocol:
Carbon dioxide or CO2
It occurs in the world on a large scale every time fossil fuels are burned. The most decisive factor for climate change and Kyoto’s biggest objective.
Methane gas
It comes from the fertilizers used in agricultural processes, one of the activities of the man who most damages the environment by the methods he uses.
Nitrous oxide
Vehicles are emitted by working. It is one of the greenhouse gases with the highest effect in the atmosphere, so it is vital to regulate its emission to the maximum.
Hydrofluocarbon, perfluorocarbon and hexafluorocarbono of sulfur
Other polluting gases that aims to reduce Kyoto’s treaty. They are present in many industrial processes.
You can expand this information with this other post about what gases produce the greenhouse effect and where they come from. We also recommend you learn more about the environmental problems that you want to stop or solve with the Kyoto protocol, sometimes also known as Kyoto treaty Although it is not the most correct, with these other ecology articles about:
- Greenhouse effect: Causes, consequences and solutions.
- Causes and consequences of climate change.
- Greenhouse effect and climate change: differences.
Kyoto protocol: signatory countries
There were many countries that signed the Kyoto protocol The same year that was done, but others remained pending ratification and others were left out.
Thus, this protocol faced, since its inception, a series of disagreements that have had an impact on its effectiveness. At first, it was ratified by 156 countriesbut later It was rejected by the most polluting countries From the world: United States and Australia. Even countries not so industrialized, in the process of development, signed in agreement, as is the case of El Salvador. These do not have to meet a specific objective, but to commit to some control and the measurement of their issuance levels.
Since his first signature, in 1997, his entry into force was complicated. Great guilt of this had USAa highly polluting country, as well as in more than 30% worldwide, which at first supported the treaty, but then its president George W. Bush rejected it, giving priority to the competitiveness of companies to the detriment of ecology. Other polluting countries did the same at the beginning, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Nor was Russia very clear, although he finally stamped his signature.
However, in 2002, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, China, India and Brazil were also ratified (these last two, being developing countries, do not have precise emission limits). In 2004, Kyoto’s commitment was greenish thanks to Russia’s signature. In addition, it is necessary to indicate that Canada ratified in 2002, but left the protocol in 2011.
Thus, the February 16, 2005 It was an important day for ecology, being the pact ratified by 141 countriesalthough the great American country was not among these signatures. Today, the nations that follow the treaty emit a total of 62% of the total gases of the planet.
As a summary, some of the countries that signed the Kyoto protocol and that they are more relevant are:
- Germany
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- France
- Belgium
- Finland
- Denmark
- Austria
- Italy
- Greece
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Sweden
- Portugal
- Argentina
- Australia
- Ancient and Barbuda
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chili
- Mexico
- China
Individual demands to the countries of the Kyoto protocol
To the member countries of the European Union They are required 8% reduction. However, today it will not fully meet its objectives more than 6%, according to the European Environment Agency (AEMA). The problem is that between 1990 and 1996 the European Union only reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 1%, a number much lower than what was intended.
The situation in Spain is even more complicated. At the moment, Spain exceeds in 40% emissions that produced 15 years ago and the Ministry of Environment itself already warned of the harmful consequences that climate change will have in the Iberian Peninsula.
There is still much to be done and the Kyoto protocol is not the perfect solution, especially because many polluting countries still did not give the proposal to fulfill it. However, it is a tool that is born in response to climate change and governments are expected to commit more to this and other measures in favor of ecology and sustainability.
If you want to read more articles similar to Kyoto protocol: what is and what is itwe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.
