Kyoto Protocol Essay ⋆ Political Science Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that contains legally binding greenhouse gas emissions targets for industrialized (Annex 1) countries. Signatories committed to cutting their combined emissions of six key greenhouse gases to 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2008 to 2012, with each country agreeing to its own specific target. For instance, Japan was expected to achieve a 5 percent reduction, while the European Union (EU) had a target of -8 percent. Low emitters, such as Norway and Iceland were per mitted to increase their emissions.

Brief History Of The Kyoto Protocol’s Genesis

In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established an international framework to gather and share information, strategies, and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change, and to provide technical and financial support to developing countries. While the UNFCCC benefits from nearly universal membership, it contains no formal obligations.

Recognizing the need for binding commitments, the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted the Kyoto Protocol at its third meeting in 1997 and was implemented in February 2005. The world’s largest emitter, the United States, never ratified the treaty.

Policy Mechanisms

While there is wide discretion as to how countries meet their obligations through national policies (alternative energy sources, transportation, land use, etc.), the Kyoto Protocol introduced market-based mechanisms to stimulate technology transfer, private sector involvement, or to enhance the cost effectiveness of meeting targets through reductions in other countries. Creating a carbon market, these mechanisms include: emissions trading among Annex 1 countries; joint implementation, allowing an Annex 1 country to earn carbon credits for projects that reduce emissions or enhance carbon sinks in other Annex 1 countries; and clean development mechanisms, permitting Annex 1 countries to accrue credits for projects in non–Annex 1 countries.

Significance

The Kyoto Protocol is the first and only climate change treaty as of 2009. Its detractors emphasize that its targets, to be reached by 2012, are relatively short term, affect a limited number of developed countries, and require no firm commitments from rapidly industrializing countries—most notably China and India. The U.S. rejection of the treaty is also often singled out as a major failure. In terms of achieving emissions reductions, the treaty had not fulfilled its initial targets as of 2009, though some sixteen industrialized countries were on target. At that time it was unclear if the industrialized countries would realize the goal of 5.2 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2012.

Table 1: Kyoto Protocol Targets

Kyoto Protocol Essay

The Kyoto Protocol established a global climate regime, set specific targets (see Table 1) and timetables, and developed an institutional framework with flexible implementation mechanisms. While much of the focus is on national level targets and implementation, the effects of a climate regime are much more diffuse. Increased awareness of climate change and support for action has manifested in policy change at the local level. As of December 2009, and will build on the framework and mechanisms already established. The European Union emissions trading scheme, established in 2005 as a result of the Kyoto Protocol, is likely to be the cornerstone of an eventual global climate regime.

Bibliography:

Betsill, M. M., and H. Bulkeley. “Transnational Networks and Global Environmental Governance:The Cities for Climate Protection Program.” International Studies Quarterly 48, no. 2 (2004): 471–493.
Ellerman, A. D., and B. K. Buchner. “The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme: Origins, Allocation, and Early Results.” Review of Environmental Economic Policy 1, no. 1 (2007): 66–87.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC First Assessment Report. Geneva: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 1990.
Paterson, M. Global Warming and Global Politics. London: Routledge, 1996.
Social Learning Group. Learning to Manage Global Environmental Risks. Vol. 1, A Comparative History of Social Responses to Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, and Acid Rain. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2001.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2009. “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.” www.unfccc.int.

This example Kyoto Protocol Essay is published for educational and informational purposes only. If you need a custom essay or research paper on this topic please use our writing services. EssayEmpire.com offers reliable custom essay writing services that can help you to receive high grades and impress your professors with the quality of each essay or research paper you hand in.