The Kyoto Protocol contains three main mechanisms for flexibility in methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These are the Flex Mex:
- Joint implementation
- Emissions trading
- Clean development mechanisms (CDM)
At their most basic level of intention, the flexibility mechanisms will make it possible for the rich, industrialized countries (Annex-I Countries) to meet some of their targets by investing in developing countries (Annex-II Countries)instead of reducing emissions at home.