What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries (and countries with economies in transition) to 5% below the level they were in 1990. It targets the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries for the period 2008 to 2012, referred to as the first commitment period. Different countries have different targets to achieve. New Zealand’s target is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to the level they were in 1990 or take responsibility for any excess emissions.


For the Protocol to become effective it had to be signed and ratified by 55 countries (including those responsible for at least 55% of the developed world’s 1990 CO2 emissions). Since 2000, the Kyoto Protocol was in “limbo” as Russia and the USA refused to ratify (meaning that the 55% requirement could not be achieved). However, in November 2004, Russia finally ratified the Kyoto Protocol, bringing it into force on 16 February 2005, and thereby placing a legal obligation on New Zealand to meet its target.