Kyoto Protocol

The objective of the Framework Convention on Climate Control was concretised in the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Due to the non-ratification of the Protocol by major developed countries such as the USA, Australia and Russia, all of whom create huge amounts of greenhouse gases, its coming into force was impeded for a long time. It was not until the end of 2004 that Russia also ratified the Kyoto Protocol, after which it finally came into effect on 16 February 2005 (with 55 countries that are collectively responsible for more than 55 percent of emissions). Today, 185 countries have ratified the protocol.

The most important key points are:

• Binding reduction targets for developed countries (38 countries, Annex B): a total of minus 5.2 per cent CO2e by 2010 (an average over the years from 2008 to 2012) compared to 1990.
• Like the EU, Switzerland has committed to minus 8 percent and to this end, the CO2 Act was passed in 1999. For the emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil as well as for the developing countries, there are no binding restrictions.
• Six groups of greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), calculated in CO2 equivalent ("CO2e")
• Compromise settlement with the creditability of so-called carbon sinks (forests that absorb CO2 must be inventoried, but can also be credited to the reduction targets.)
• Obligation to compile national greenhouse gas inventories and reports
• Financial support for developing countries through a variety of funding
• Exemption of international aviation and maritime transport. Instead of a binding reduction target, the Protocol contains a statement that the carbon offset in air traffic must be implemented by other international institutions.
• Under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol, industrialised countries can also meet their reduction targets abroad with specific projects or through trading other countries' emissions allowances. To this end, the Kyoto Protocol provides for the use of flexible mechanisms: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and the international emissions trading. These tools allow a country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other countries at a lower cost than domestically. Industrialised countries nevertheless need to meet a large part of their reduction commitments through domestic actions, and may only use the flexible mechanisms as a complementary measure (so-called supplementarity).

Further Information
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Federal Environment Agency BAFU