The Kyoto protocol

The worldwide battle against climate change moves up a gear today as the landmark Kyoto protocol comes into force. Alison Purdy from the Press Association explains

What is the Kyoto protocol?
The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement imposing limits on emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases scientists blame for rising world temperatures, melting glaciers and rising oceans. It was negotiated in the Japanese city of Kyoto in 1997 and ratified by 140 nations.

What are the protocol's aims?
The Kyoto targets vary by region: the UK is committed to cutting its emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2012, and the European Union to an 8% reduction on 1990 levels by 2012.

The US agreed to a 7% reduction before President George Bush denounced the pact in 2001. Japan is struggling to find ways to meet its obligations which require it to cut its emissions by 6%.

The agreement also allows some countries with low emissions to increase them.

Why is the Kyoto protocol coming into force today, seven years after being negotiated?
The Kyoto agreement was delayed by the requirement that countries accounting for at least 55% of the world's emissions must ratify it. That goal was reached last year - nearly seven years after the pact was negotiated - when Russia signed up on November 18 2004.

Russia's position became crucial when the US and Australia decided not to ratify the agreement.

Why has the US pulled out?
The US, the world's largest emitter of such gases, has refused to ratify the agreement, saying it would harm the economy and is flawed by the lack of restrictions on emissions by emerging economies China and India.

Why has Australia decided not to join?
According to Australian environment minister Ian Campbell, the country is already on track to cut emissions by 30%.

Will the agreement make much difference?
Scientists say the agreement only just begins to tackle the problem of global warming. It aims to reduce emissions from the world's industrialised nations by only 5% when a cut of around 60% is needed to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

This has led some climate scientists to say the agreement is "toothless" and virtually obsolete without US support.

However, others argue that it sets out a framework on which future negotiations could be based and that its failure would be a disaster.

What is emissions trading?
Emissions trading allows countries to buy and sell their agreed quota of greenhouse gas emissions. Countries which created the greatest volume of greenhouse gases are allowed to buy unused "credits" from those who do not emit as much as they are allowed to.

Countries can also gain credits for activities which increase the environment's capacity to absorb carbon.

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