The Kyoto Protocol
At the climate summit meeting in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, developed countries agreed to legally-binding national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement is called the Kyoto Protocol, and was set to come into force once countries responsible for 55% of industrial nations' emissions ratified it. The United States of America, the world's biggest carbon dioxide emitter (responsible for one quarter of all carbon emissions) signed the agreement but would not ratify. This left Russia with the casting vote.
After years of wavering, Russia ratified the treaty in 2004. The protocol can now come into force. Although the USA signed, it is not legally bound by the protocol.
To reach the UK's commitment, greenhouse gas emissions must be 12·5% lower than in 1990 by 2012.
Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development & Climate
In July 2005 the USA, Australia, China, India, Japan and South Korea announced a joint plan, separate from Kyoto, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development & Climate aims to use new technology to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The agreement contains no emissions reduction targets.
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