KYOTO PROTOCOL- THE SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEM

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the subject to a particularly important Protocol: Kyoto Protocol from 1997 entered into force on 15 February 2005. It aims to limit emissions of six greenhouse gases. In short, the Kyoto Protocol commits industrialized countries to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions based on the principles of the Convention. The Convention itself only encourages countries to do so. Under the Protocol, the European Community has committed to reduce by 8% in greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008-2012, compared to 1990 levels. Protocol contains two annexes grouping developed countries in Annex I and those with economies in transition in Annex nr.II. In december 2012, the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. This launched a second commitment period, starting on 1 January 2013 until 2020. Russia, Japan and New Zealand are the only countries that will not take binding commitments to reduce emissions. On the other hand, Canada has withdrawn from the Protocol in 2011.