Governance & Policy
Kyoto Protocol
Definition
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty adopted in 1997 under the UNFCCC, in force from 2005. It set legally binding emission reduction targets for industrialised country parties across two commitment periods and created market mechanisms — emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation — that pioneered international carbon crediting.
References
Overview
What it means
It was the first binding climate treaty, but its coverage shrank as major emitters stayed outside or withdrew, and it was superseded by the Paris Agreement's universal approach.
How it is used
Referenced historically for carbon-market design and the CDM credits still transitioning into Article 6 systems; cited in debates on differentiation between countries.
Why it matters
Its mechanisms created the template — and the cautionary lessons — for today's carbon markets and the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism.
Review questions
What source or framework gives the term authority? What boundary or role is being described? What evidence would a reviewer need before relying on the term?