Objectives
 

                    The Kyoto Protocol has the same ultimate objective as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the stabilization of atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.
 

                    At the first United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Berlin in 1995, the Contracting Parties reviewed the commitments by the developed countries under the Convention and decided that the commitment to aim at returning their emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 was inadequate for achieving the Convention's long-term objective. The Conference adopted the "Berlin Mandate" and launched a new round of negotiations on strengthening the commitments of the Contracting Parties from developed countries. At the third Conference of the Parties in Kyoto in 1997, the Parties adopted the Kyoto Protocol.
 

                Key Provisions
 

                    In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, Contracting Parties from developed countries are committed to reducing their combined greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5 per cent from 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012. The targets cover the six main greenhouse gases, namely, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), along with some activities in the land-use change and forestry sector that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (carbon "sinks"). Each Contracting Party from developed countries is required to have made demonstrable progress in implementing its emission reduction commitments by 2005.
 

                    Implementation of the legally binding Protocol commitments promises to produce an historic reversal of the upward trend in emissions from developed countries.
 

                    The Kyoto Protocol also establishes three innovative mechanisms, known as joint implementation, emissions trading and the clean development mechanism, which are designed to help Contracting Parties included in Annex I of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce the costs of meeting their emission targets. The clean development mechanism also aims to promote sustainable development in developing countries. The operational details of these mechanisms are now being fleshed out by the Contracting Parties.
 

                    The procedure for the communication and review of information is established in the Kyoto Protocol. Contracting Parties from developed countries are required to incorporate in their national communications the supplementary information necessary to demonstrate compliance with their commitments under the Protocol in accordance with guidelines to be developed. The information submitted shall be reviewed by expert review teams, pursuant to guidelines established by the Conference of the Parties, which is the supreme body that shall regularly review and promote effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.
 

                    The Protocol provides that the Contracting Parties shall periodically review the Protocol in the light of the best available scientific information and assessment on climate change and its impacts. The first review will take place at the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol. Further reviews shall take place at regular intervals and in a timely manner. A framework for a compliance system is required to be developed under the Protocol.
 
 
 

Entry into force:  Not yet in force (the Protocol will enter into force 90 days after it has been ratified by at least 55 Parties to the Convention, including developed countries accounting for at least 55 per cent of the total 1990 carbon dioxide emissions, in accordance with its article 25) Status as at 15 June 2000:  Signatories:  84  Contracting  Parties:  22