The Kyoto protocol was adopted by 186 countries on July 23, 2001, with the notable exception of the United States. After two days of negotiation in Bonn a waterd down version of the treaty was finally accepted. Cuts in emissions for the worlds 37 richest countries will only be marginal, about 1%-3% before 2010, but this is seen as an important first step in combating climate change. The deal leaves the US as the world's environmental pariah, putting pressure on George W Bush to come up with his own proposals for tackling climate change. The agreement also includes a fund of 500 million USD per year aimed at helping developing countries combat climate change.