Kyoto Protocol

International legally-binding agreement adopted at Kyoto in 1997 under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.

In detail

The objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to stabilise the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous interference in the climate system. This is meant to be achieved through legally binding emissions targets over a given period of time.

The Protocol has a number of different parts: a clean development mechanism which allows wealthier countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries in exchange for carbon credits, an emissions trading scheme between wealthier countries and joint implementation allowing for cross-border cooperation on projects.

The Protocol entered into force in 2005 and international negotiations are already underway to determine how it will play out in the future.

Find out more

• UNFCCC – Uniting on climate (pdf, 3.7 MB).