Kyoto Protocol (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Study Guide

Kyoto Protocol

Background

• Created in response to the growing scientific consensus that human activities were accelerating climate change

  • The 1990s saw mounting evidence that greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially CO₂ from fossil fuels, were causing global warming

  • The Protocol was developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• Its primary aim was to reduce emissions of key greenhouse gases in developed countries

  • Recognized that industrialized nations were historically responsible for most emissions

  • Introduced legally binding targets for GHG reductions for participating developed nations

Key Dates

• 1997: Kyoto Protocol adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference in Kyoto, Japan

• 2005: Entered into force after ratification by 55 countries, including nations producing at least 55% of global emissions

• 2012: First commitment period ended

• 2012–2020: Second commitment period (Doha Amendment), though not all countries ratified it

How the Kyoto Protocol relates to the environment

• Targeted reduction of six main greenhouse gases:

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

  • Methane (CH₄)

  • Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

  • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

  • Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)

• Introduced carbon trading mechanisms, such as

  • Cap-and-trade systems

  • Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): allows developed countries to invest in emission-reducing projects in developing nations

• The Protocol aimed to prevent or mitigate the consequences of climate change (including sea level rise, habitat loss, and extreme weather)

Evaluation

• Successes:

  • First international treaty to set binding emission reduction targets

  • Raised global awareness and catalyzed climate policy discussions

  • Led to the creation of market-based solutions, such as carbon credits

• Challenges:

  • Major emitters like the United States did not ratify the treaty

  • Some developing countries (e.g. China, India) were not subject to binding targets, leading to criticism

  • Emission reductions were uneven, and overall impact on global emissions was limited

  • Many countries failed to meet their targets, and enforcement mechanisms were weak

  • Eventually replaced by the Paris Agreement in 2015, which includes both developed and developing nations