Kyoto Protocol, Annex

Developing countries like India are listed under Kyoto as Annex II countries, and they are not obliged to make any cuts in greenhouse emissions reduction yet. But as they raise living standards their emissions will obviously increase India s have risen by more than 52% since 1990. Under Kyoto, they will have to accept reduction targets in a few years from now. The protocol s architects say it is fair to allow them a grace period, because the problem has been caused by the industrialised countries. But India, with more than 1 bn people, will soon be a major polluter. 

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Annex B (1997) http //unfccc.int/kyoto protocol/items/2830.php... 

Industrialised countries that, as parties to the UNFCCC, have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2000 to f 990 levels as per Article 4.2 of the Kyoto Protocol are listed in Annex I. Annex I Parties consist of countries belonging to the OECD, the Economies-in-Transition and Turkey Saving emission permits for future use in anticipation that these will accrue value over time... 

Any reservoir that takes up carbon released from some other part of the carbon cycle for example, the atmosphere, oceans and forests are major carbon sinks because much of the C02 produced elsewhere on the Earth ends up in these bodies Combined cycle gas turbine Clean Development Mechanism in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol, the parties established the CDM for the purposes of assisting developing countries in achieving sustainable development and helping Annex I parties meet their emissions targets carbon currency certified emission reduction units (CERs)... 

The Kyoto Protocol establishes quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives for industrialized states parties and others (Annex I states parties) which are legally binding and a rec [uirement for these states parties in implementing or further elaborating appropriate policies and measures to meet such targets. Apart from that, the Protocol mandates the advancement and implementation of certain commitments that pertain to all states parties of the... 

In addition, Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol authorizes a target-based emissions trading system. The respective provisions need further elaboration. According to the Protocol, Annex B states parties may participate in emissions trading for the purpose of fulfilling their commitments under Article 3 of the Kyoto Protocol. The emission reduction units acquired will be credited to the acquiring State Party. The Conference of Parties under the Framework Convention is mandated to develop rules and modalities for emissions trading. 

The Conference of states parties of the Framework Convention has already established a process for the review of information by Annex I states parties. " The Kyoto Protocol has built thereupon and strengthened this process. Whereas under the Framework Convention the inventory information, though collected annually, was published and reviewed only in conjunction with the periodic... 

Thus, the current situation is characterized both by deep controversies over fundamental issues and by the possibility that important nations may have difficulties in meeting their reduction targets. It appears problematic, therefore, whether the Kyoto Protocol can become binding international law in its present form. For the protocol to come into force, it must be ratified by at least 55 nations, including Annex I countries that together accounted for at least 55% of total Annex I carbon dioxide emissions in 1990 (Article 25). As mentioned earlier, only about 30 countries—none of them in Annex I— have ratified as yet. 

Establishing a unilateral link with the CDM or most schemes not linked with the Kyoto Protocol is simple. To be credible, a link with a domestic trading scheme in an Annex I Party would need to ensure that purchased allowances led to the acquisition and cancellation of Kyoto units equal to the allowances used for compliance by participants in the international aviation/shipping scheme. That might require the cooperation of the Annex 1 Party, which could make implementation of a unilateral link similar to implementation of a bilateral link. 

Russia, a developed country, is part of the Annex 1 bloc of countries committed to cutting emissions under the protocol. But its economy has shrunk so drastically since 1990 that it cannot afford to bum the fuel that would produce the emissions Kyoto entitles it to. Its emissions have fallen by almost 40% in a decade. So it favours emissions trading, selling its unused entitlement to developed countries wanting to emit more than the protocol allows them. Russia will ratify Kyoto, because it recognises it as a way of earning desperately needed money. It plans to use the cash for energy efficiency projects. 

A major world economic power, Japan is a leading Annex I member of Kyoto, committed to cutting emissions. It feels an attachment to the protocol, named after the Japanese city where it was concluded. It recognises the argument that its economy could gain from seeing the treaty in force, as Japanese companies could capture markets for new, clean technology. But Japan is very reluctant to ratify Kyoto unless the Americans do so as well. Without Japanese ratification the protocol is very unlikely to attract the support it needs to become international law. 

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