Greenhouse gases omitted from the Kyoto Protocol

At the time of the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol a number of greenhouse gases were omitted from the schedule of gases to be regulated under the convention. (The gases currently included in Annex A are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride).

In particular, the UNFCCC has sought the views of national government on whether the following greenhouse-inducing gases should be included in the successor to the Kyoto Protocol:


 * additional hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) which have been assigned Global Warming Potential values by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their Third and Fourth Assessment Reports;
 * Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3);
 * Fluorinated ethers with Global Warming Potential values referred to in Fourth Assessment Report;
 * Perfluoropolyethers with Global Warming Potential values referred to in Fourth Assessment Report; and
 * Sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2).

Climate Action Network International Position
In a submission on the post-Kyoto agreement, the Climate Action Network International has argued that the list of the gases included in Annex A should include "all perfluorinated compounds (at least two species nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride (SF5CF3) are not included), and all fluorinated ethers and perfluoropolyethers." It also flags that "consideration may also need to be given to the inclusion of the hydrocarbons and other compounds listed in the IPCC (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - ed) assessment; however the case for this is not strong at present."

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