This is the first article in the five-part series
Beyond Kyoto: A Broader Policy on Climate Change

Representatives from 180 nations will meet in Bali, Indonesia next week to discuss plans for a greenhouse gas emissions agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. That agreement, the first global pact containing binding commitments by most developed nations to stabilize GHG emissions, will expire in 2012.

A large majority of the world's countries have ratified the Protocol. The only major industrialized nations that remain bystanders are Australia and the U.S.--and new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, elected this week, is eager to ratify Kyoto as soon as possible. Historically, the U.S.'s objections to the Protocol have been its potential national economic harm and its exclusion of big developing nations like China and India from emissions limits. So, although the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol, the treaty has not been ratified by the U.S. Senate.

Developed nations which have ratified the Protocol, referred to as Annex I Parties, have committed to reduce their collective emissions of carbon dioxide and five other GHGs by 5 percent below 1990 levels. The limits are parceled differently by nation, however, even allowing for an increase in some countries, and there are alternatives to strict national reduction, including emissions trading and credits for investment in other countries' reduction efforts. Non-Annex I nations have no GHG emission restrictions, but are encouraged to develop reduction projects because they can sell resultant carbon credits to Annex I buyers. For more information about the Kyoto Protocol, click here.

A Noteworthy Meeting

The Kyoto Protocol was negotiated as an amendment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the body whose conference next week will attempt to shape a future agreement. Although such conferences happen yearly, this year is noteworthy as it marks the beginning of the review process of the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, with Australia on board the Protocol has added momentum as it heads into the actual period of enforcement, 2008 to 2012.

Finally, worldwide dialogue on climate change has highlighted areas of the Protocol that still remain problematic. Aspects which have been politically difficult (such as limits only for developed countries) or which have received too little emphasis under the current agreement (such as sustainable development, the impact of deforestation, and adaptation assistance for vulnerable regions) will be the most important issues of next week's conference.

To explore these topics more fully, EarthTrends is featuring a five-part series entitled Beyond Kyoto: A Broader Policy on Climate Change. Also, we'll be keeping you informed on developments at the conference via WRI staff members present at the event. Tune in over the next week to learn about key challenges facing our climate and our society as we look beyond Kyoto.

OTHER ARTICLES IN THE SERIES
Beyond Kyoto: A Broader Policy on Climate Change:

Part V: U.S. Still Refuses Agreement on Binding Emissions Limits

Part IV: The Role of Deforestation in Climate Change

Part III: Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation

Part II: Increasing Corporate Support of Climate Action

Top photo by DavidGardinerGarcia on Flickr