Kyoto Protocol

Kyoto Protocol is "an international agreement setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions" which are "considered at least partly responsible for global warming - the rise in global temperature which may have catastrophic consequences for life on Earth." 

The Protocol was "agreed in 1997 based on principles set out in a framework convention signed in 1992." 

"Industrialised countries have committed to cut their combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012. ... Each country that signed the protocol agreed to its own specific target. EU countries are expected to cut their present emissions by 8% and Japan by 5%. Some countries with low emissions were permitted to increase them." 

President George W. Bush "pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2001, saying implementing it would gravely damage the US economy." The Bush administration "dubbed the treaty 'fatally flawed', partly because it does not require developing countries to commit to emissions reductions," which includes China and India, "although they are two of the world's biggest producers of greenhouse gases." 

Documents

 * The Kyoto Protocol posted on United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website.
 * Parties and Observers, UNFCCC.
 * "The Mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol: Joint Implementation, the Clean Development Mechanism and Emissions Trading," UNFCCC.
 * "Annex I National Communications and Reports Demonstrating Progress under the Kyoto Protocol" and "Previous submissions of national communications," UNFCCC. Includes submission dates and progress reports.

Forthcoming Negotiating Meetings on the UNFCCC

 * COP14
 * COP15
 * COP16
 * COP17
 * COP18
 * COP19
 * COP20

Resources

 * Compare where politicians stand on the Kyoto Protocol at whereIstand.com