KYOTO Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol, an international and legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gases emissions world wide. The text of the Protocol to the UNFCCC was adopted at the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997; it was open for signature from 16 March 1998 to 15 March 1999 at United Nations Headquarters, New York. By that date the Protocol had received 84 signatures. Those Parties that have not yet signed the Kyoto Protocol may accede to it at any time. The Protocol is subject to ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by Parties to the Convention. It entered into force on 16 February 2005 

The objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to stabilize and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable development. The Protocol is historic in that it is the first attempt to achieve international agreements to mitigate global climate change through reduction in GHGs, and the first to employ the flexibility of the global market place for global environmental management. The Protocol emerged first as a framework agreement, but through international negotiations it is progressing into sets of legal articles. These impose obligations on all signatories, but they also identify opportunities for improved environmental land management at local, national and international levels. The Kyoto Protocol recognizes the overwhelming importance of controlling and reducing GHG emissions (sources) which currently come primarily from industrial and transportation sources, but it also recognizes the corresponding opportunities to be gained through better management of carbon (C) reservoirs and enhancement of C sinks (sequestration) in forestry and agriculture. These latter aspects are achieved through better management of land use change (conversions) and improved local land management. Thus, the Protocol is an excellent opportunity to promote local, national and global soil conservation, and develop networks and partnerships for global environmental management. It is a classic “win-win” situation.

See More .....  http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php