The Kyoto Protocol commits the
developed nations to
reducing their collective emissions of six key
greenhouse gases --
carbon dioxide,
methane,
nitrous oxide,
hydrofluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons and
sulphur
hexafluoride -- by at least 5% of 1990 levels by 2012. The
European Union, along with
Switzerland and most Central and East European states, will cut emissions by 8%; the
United States by 7%; and
Canada,
Hungary,
Japan and Poland by 6%.
Russia,
New Zealand and
Ukraine must stabilize their emissions, while
Norway is allowed an increase of 1%,
Australia 8% and
Iceland 10%. The six gases will be combined in a basket, with reductions in individual gases translated into "CO2 equivalents" that are then added up to produce a single figure.
The sixth Congress of the Parties (COP6) to the Framework Convention takes place in The Hague from November 13-24, 2000; its purpose is to decide exactly how the signatories are to meet their targets.
Innovative but controversial mechanisms for achieving the targets include the trading of emissions credits, where nations which exceed their goals can trade or sell credits to those (mainly the US) who want to lessen the pain; and the use of carbon sinks. The EU is pushing for a position that at least have each nation's commitments must be met by a genuine reduction in domestic emissions; the US is pushing for greater flexibility.
Further information: cop6.unfccc.int, www.climnet.org/cop6.html, www.iisd.ca/climate/cop6 and www.earthtimes.org/nov/climatedirectory.htm.