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Kyoto Protocol

The Marrakech Accords
Kyoto Protocol Flexible Mechanisms
Further Information

 

The Koyoto Protocol was agreed in 1997 as voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission under the UNFCCC had proved inadequate.  The Protocol commits industrialised or developed countries to reduce their combined emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by at least 5% compared to below 1990 levels by the first commitment period 2008-2012. The protocol came into force on 16 February 2005. As of October 2006, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 162 countries and international organisations and is widely seen as a first step in deeper and broader action to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the rest of this century. All 25 EU member states and the European Community are Parties to the Protocol.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that in the longer term global emissions of greenhouse gases would need to be reduced by up to 70% compared to 1990 levels.


The Marrakech Accords

The Marrakech Accords are the detailed legal decisions required for the operation of the Kyoto Protocol and are aimed at turning the targets for greenhouse gas reductions and limitations agreed at Kyoto into a basis for real action. 

The Accords provide an international regulatory framework that includes operational rules for the Kyoto Protocol's flexible mechanisms, which are aimed at achieving emissions reductions as cost-effectively as possible.  In addition, agreement on detailed monitoring and reporting obligations for Parties will allow transparency and certainty for the operation of the mechanisms.  A strong compliance system was also established to facilitate, promote and enforce compliance with the commitments under the Protocol, including agreement on stringent non-compliance consequences to underpin its environmental integrity.

Failure to achieve compliance during the first Kyoto commitment period will result in more stringent post-2012 targets, which will very significantly drive up compliance costs for the party concerned. Parties that do not achieve compliance in the first commitment period (2008-2012) and are found to have exceeded its emissions target must carry the excess plus a 30% loading into the second commitment period, and have its emissions trading rights under Article 17 of the Protocol suspended for all or part of the second commitment period (i.e. a party can buy but not sell emissions)

The party must also develop a compliance action plan, which would be subject to international review and assessment, to ensure compliance within 3 years.  Progress reports on implementation of the plan must be submitted annually.

 

Kyoto Protocol Flexible Mechanisms

The Kyoto Protocol provides for three mechanisms from which allowances or credits can be used for compliance purposes:

  • International Emissions Trading to allow countries that have succeeded in reducing their emissions below their Kyoto Protocol target to sell excess allowances to countries that face a shortfall in meeting their targets.
  • Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to attract investments in greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in developing countries i.e. countries without Kyoto targets
  • Joint Implementation (JI) to allow investments in greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects in countries with Kyoto targets.  This is principally aimed at countries with economies in the process of moving to a full market based economy. 


Further Information:

UNFCCC Climate Change

IPCC

ENFO

Email: climatechangeinfo@environ.ie