Kyoto protocol

The Kyoto Protocolis an internationaltreaty, which extends the 1992United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reducegreenhouse gasesemissions, based on the premise that (a)global warmingexists and (b) man-madeCO2emissionshave caused it.

The main goal of the Kyoto Protocol is to contain emissions of the main anthropogenic (i.e., human-emitted) greenhouse gases (GHGs) in ways that reflect underlying national differences in GHG emissions, wealth, and capacity to make the reductions.

1992The UN Conference on the Environment and Development is held in Rio de Janeiro. It results in the Framework Convention on Climate Change("FCCC" or "UNFCCC")among other agreements.

1995Parties to the UNFCCC meet in Berlin (the 1st Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC) to outline specific targets on emissions.

1997In December the parties conclude the Kyoto Protocol in Kyoto, Japan, in which they agree to the broad outlines of emissions targets.

2002Russia and Canada ratify the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC bringing the treaty into effect on 16 February 2005.

2011Canada became the first signatory to announce its withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol.

2012On 31 December 2012, the first commitment period under the Protocol expired.

Earth Hour

Earth Houris a worldwide movement for the planet organized by theWorld Wide Fund for Nature(WWF). The event is held worldwide annually encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essentiallightsfor one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30p.m. on the last Saturday in March, as a symbol for their commitment to the planet.

1 Mar 2006 - Earth Hour concept is born : WWF Australia and Advertising Company Leo Burnett Sydney realise the need for a climate change awareness campaign and come up with the name "Earth Hour."

31 Mar 2007 - First Earth Hour : The inaugural Earth Hour takes place in Sydney. 2.2 million Sydney-siders are involved and 2,100 businesses take part.

29 Mar 2008 - Earth Hour goes global : The second Earth Hour takes place in more than 35 countries. It is estimated that 50 million individuals were involved.

27 Mar 2009- Third Earth Hour : 88 countries were on board, with more than 4,000 cities and towns switching off lights for the hour.

28 Mar 2010 - Fourth Earth Hour : More records are broken. 128 countries are involved, and Earth Hour is recognised as a global action to stand up against climate change.

26 Mar 2011 - Earth Hour: Go Beyond the Hour : More than 130 countries took part in the fifth Earth Hour. The Earth Hour Awards will also take place, as a way to encourage "Going Beyond the Hour."

Carbon Trade

An exchange of credits between nations designed to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. The carbon trade allows countries that have higher carbon emissions to purchase the right to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from countries that have lower carbon emissions. The carbon trade originated with the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and is intended to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions to 5% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.