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According to the Kyoto Protocol countries must reduce total greenhouse gas
emissions by 2012, compared to 1990 levels. This is an overview of the
contribution of various countries to this total emission reduction.
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Australia: rejected Kyoto
but would have been allowed an 8% increase by 2012 compared to 1990 levels |
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Canada: 6% total
reduction by 2012 compared to 1990 levels |
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Europe: 8% total
reduction by 2012 compared to 1990 levels
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 Western-European countries:
- Austria -> 13% reduction
- Belgium -> 7,5% reduction
- Denmark -> 21% reduction
- Finland -> 0% reduction
- France -> 0% reduction
- Germany -> 21% reduction
- Greece -> allowed increase of 25%
- Ireland -> allowed increase of 13%
- Italy -> 6,5% reduction
- Luxembourg -> 28% reduction
- Netherlands -> 6% reduction
- Portugal -> allowed increase of 27%
- Spain -> allowed increase of 15%
- Sweden -> allowed increase of 4%
- Switzerland -> 8% reduction
- United Kingdom (UK) -> 12,5% reduction
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Eastern European countries:
Maximum 8% total reduction by 2012 compared to 1990 levels
|
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Japan: 6% total reduction
by 2012 compared to 1990 levels |
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New Zealand: 0% total
reduction by 2012 compared to 1990 levels |
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Ukraine: no obligated
reduction |
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Russia: no obligated
reduction |
Many countries are threatening
to not achieve these goals. If the goals are not met emissions must be reduced
by the overload multiplied by 1,3 after 2012.
A country has various options
for measures to meet the Kyoto standards. Examples are:
- Plant forests and lower vegetation to remove more CO2 from the air
- Sustainable management practices in forestry and on farms
- Joint Implementation; countries earn credits when they jointly implement
emission reduction projects
- Clean Development mechanisms; industrialized nations earn credits for projects
implemented in
developing countries
- Buy emissions permits from Kyoto countries which cannot meet their
target because of the
costs
Related pages
Climate change glossary
Fossil fuels: characteristics and effects
The greenhouse effect
mechanism Emissions and infrared
absorption by greenhouse gases Explanation of
the IPCC SRES scenarios
The IPCC SRES scenarios: causes of climate change
The IPCC SRES scenarios: consequences of climate change
Possible policy measures to achieve Kyoto
targets
Trading emission permits to
achieve Kyoto targets
Discussions of the greenhouse effect
History of global warming
Perspectives on the greenhouse
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