How the Kyoto Protocol Affects You

The Origins of the Kyoto Protocol

It started during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . The meeting conceived the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was an agreement signed by at least 150 member countries that sought to "achieve stabilization of the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system". This agreement was ratified by the US Senate.

The UNFCCC divided the countries into two where developed countries such as the former Soviet Union, the countries of Eastern Europe and the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development which included the United States, were designated Annex 1 Parties. The Non-Annex 1 Parties consisted of 129 developing countries including China , Mexico , India , Brazil and South Korea . The Kyoto Protocol was drafted at the Third Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in December 1997 held in Kyoto , Japan .

The Kyoto Protocol signified the first international attempt to place legally binding limits on greenhouse gases specifically carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. The goal was to reduce combined emissions among Annex 1 countries with each country assigned a specific emissions reduction target. The developing countries are not bound by the emission limits but are covered by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which provides that a country can receive pollution reduction credits by allowing industrialized nations to finance projects that reduce emissions within their borders with the corresponding credit given to the industrialized nation as well.

The Uphill Battle

With less than 30 developing countries and none from the major powers ratifying it, the Kyoto Protocol faces a major battle before it can be realized. Its critics assert that the largest contributors to greenhouse gases for the next years would be the developing countries due to their expected industrialization. They consider it "unfair" that the very countries that would stand to benefit the most are not bounded by reduction targets for global emissions. The issue centers on the question on whether it is fair that developed countries should alone bear the burden for emissions reduction.

It should be noted that the Kyoto Protocol contents were based on the premise that developed countries are historically responsible for the current rate of emissions than anyone else and that they can afford to shoulder the related costs. The affected countries are mainly concerned with the cost of implementation which they feel would place a heavy economic burden on industry sectors that will ultimately affect the national economy.

Effects of the Kyoto Protocol

If one is within any of the countries included in the Annex 1 Parties like the United States , the Protocol is believed to result to severe consequences on businesses especially the utilities sector as well as other sectors including aluminum and iron smelting, automobile and oil refining. If on the other hand, one is within the Non-Annex 1 Parties, there is a chance that the balance of competition would temporarily tilt in their favor due to the restrictions binding Annex 1 Parties which may result to better business.

However, if one is to think not on the basis on where he lives or where he does business but rather as a human being, one could readily identify the benefits of the intentions of the Kyoto Protocol. There is a need to go beyond borders and politics. Environment protection is everyone's responsibility. Something has to be done to ensure that developed countries no longer continue ravaging the environment nor do the developing countries have the chance to take their place and further continue the damage.