Compare Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement

The Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement are two major international agreements aimed at combating climate change. While both agreements are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there are significant differences between the two.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005. It required developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5.2% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. The agreement also established several mechanisms to facilitate emissions reductions, including carbon trading and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The Kyoto Protocol was seen as a landmark agreement because it was the first international treaty to require emissions reductions from developed countries. However, it faced criticism for not including emissions reduction commitments from developing countries such as China and India, which have since become major emitters of greenhouse gases.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is a more comprehensive and ambitious agreement than the Kyoto Protocol. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with a target of limiting warming to 1.5°C. The agreement also requires all countries, both developed and developing, to contribute to emissions reductions. Each country sets its own emissions reduction target, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and is required to report its progress towards meeting that target.

One of the key differences between the two agreements is that the Paris Agreement is more flexible than the Kyoto Protocol. Countries are free to set their own emissions reduction targets, and there are no binding emissions reduction commitments. This flexibility was seen as essential for getting all countries on board with the agreement, particularly developing countries that were skeptical of the Kyoto Protocol`s approach.

Another key difference is that the Paris Agreement includes provisions for financial support to developing countries to help them reduce their emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Kyoto Protocol did not include such provisions, which was a major source of criticism from developing countries.

In conclusion, while both the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Paris Agreement is a more comprehensive and flexible agreement that includes all countries and provides financial support to developing countries. While the Kyoto Protocol was a landmark agreement, the Paris Agreement represents a more significant step forward in the fight against climate change.