Kyoto Protocolis an international treaty derived from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, drawn up during the Conference of Parties III. It is an agreement that stipulates goals, mainly for developed countries, with the objective of reducing the gas emissions from greenhouse effect.
Where and when was it signed?
The Kyoto Protocol was drafted in 1997 in the city of Kyoto, Japan. Its preparation took place during the Conference of Parts III, the supreme body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in which representatives from 141 nations participated.
The protocol was ratified on March 15, 1999 by 55 countries representing about 55% of emissions greenhouse gases, entering into force on February 16, 2005, after the ratification of the Russia.
Goals
The main objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to establish goals and obligations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions toatmosphere, commitment that should be fulfilled in the period from 2008 to 2012.
You industrialized countries should reduce their emissions by 5.2% compared to the emission levels recorded in 1990. For the European Union and Japan, reductions of 8% and 7%, respectively, were established. Developing countries such as Brazil, China and India were not forced to reduce their emissions.
The main objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to establish goals for the reduction and stabilization of emissions and concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The second commitment period, covering the period between 2013 and 2020, requires countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 18% below the level recorded in 1990.
Some actions are encouraged by the protocol so that the goals are achieved. Are they:
Reform of the energy sector and the transport sector;
Use of renewable energy sources;
Reduction of methane emissions;
Combating deforestation;
Forest protection.
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member countries
The Kyoto Protocol was signed by more than 175 countries, which are divided into:
→ Signatory countries that ratified the protocol: Paraguay, Argentina, Norway, Japan, Brazil, China, Switzerland, Yemen, North Korea, all member countries of the European Union, among others.
→ Signatory country intending to ratify the protocol: Kazakhstan.
→ Non-signatory countries that have not ratified the protocol: Vatican, Afghanistan, Iraq, United States, Serbia, among others.
Kyoto Protocol and Conference of the Parties
During the 1980s, scientific evidence regarding greenhouse gas emissions caused an awakening in society's awareness of climate changes, becoming the subject of several debates. Thus, there was great pressure to create a worldwide agreement on the matter.
In the scientific area, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was created. In the political area, the United Nations (UN) created the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee for the Framework Convention on Climate, which resulted, in 1992, in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate.
This convention is a global agreement signed by 154 countries, plus the countries of the European Union, with the objective of controlling and reducing the emission and concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. To implement this treaty, some bodies were created, such as the Conference of the Parties, the highest body of the convention. The purpose of this conference is to bring countries together to review the commitments established in the convention.
During the Conference of Parts III (COP 3), the Kyoto Protocol was also created, one of the main treaties in the fight against the emission of gases into the atmosphere.
Also know:Deforestation in Brazil
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) represents a relaxation of the Kyoto Protocol. It can be adopted by countries that are part of the treaty, but that are unable or unwilling to meet the goals and obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The mechanism represents the possibility for a nation to acquire Certified Emission Reductions, also known as Carbon Credits, from projects established in countries in development. Each ton of carbon not released into the atmosphere generates an emission reduction certificate, which can be used to offset gas emission rates that exceed targets established.
The projects presented must promote real and long-term benefits to the environment and must be directly related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They may contain proposals for replacing non-renewable energy with alternative energy, reducing energy use, reforestation, among others.
The main objectives of the CDM are to help countries to stabilize the concentrations of effect gases greenhouse, to promote sustainable development through projects and to meet their targets for reducing emissions.
Brazil had the first project instituted as a Clean Development Mechanism at the United Nations. The country was also the first to have Certified Emission Reductions linked to reforestation.
See too:Negative impacts caused by anthropic action
United States and the Kyoto Protocol
Although the United States is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, the country has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. According to President George W. Bush, the commitments established by the protocol could harm the country's economy. Furthermore, he questioned the fact that there are no targets for developing countries, which account for about 52% of carbon dioxide emissions.
Unlike most countries, the United States, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
Some Americans are skeptical about climate change. For many, these changes are part of the Earth cycle and are not related to human activities. The current president of the United States, Donald Trump, declared that he does not believe in theories such as the global warming, culminating in the country's withdrawal from Paris Agreement.
Brazil and the Kyoto Protocol
Despite having ratified the protocol on August 23, 2002, Brazil did not receive obligations about deadlines and targets on the emission of greenhouse gases, since it is a country in development. This happens because it is understood that countries like Brazil, Mexico, China have priorities in social sectors, in addition to not emitting, separately, a large percentage of gases.
One of Brazil's priorities within the Kyoto Protocol refers to reducing deforestation. Brazil has 16% of the world's forests, and protecting them is a major contribution to the carbon cycle and to controlling the greenhouse effect.
Actions such as the resumption of the Pro-Alcohol Program, biodiesel production programs and incentives for the use of energy alternatives in the Brazilian energy matrix represent Brazil's path in combating climate change.
Our country has one of the most renewable energy sources in the world and is a pioneer in the use of ethanol, an alternative to petroleum-derived fuels.
Read more:Ethanol production in Brazil
