By Alan S. Gensoli

As we begin to discuss in earnest the feared phenomenon of climate change, it is inevitable that we come across the Kyoto Protocol. Not all of us, this writer included, are savvy about environmental care. Most of us, this writer included, just want to do something about an obviously abused and apparently sick environment that is manifesting its illness through drastic changes in the climate. But while it is dangerous for us to fake expertise by name-dropping the Kyoto Protocol, it is equally dangerous for us not to know the salient points, or even just the basic points of the Kyoto Protocol.

A protocol is an established set of procedures (much like the application of fertilizer in your farm). The Kyoto Protocol sets the implementing rules of the agreements reached at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

As a framework, the UNFCCC set “common but differentiated responsibilities” among its parties. Basic to the convention were these three beliefs: “First, the largest share of historical and current global emissions of greenhouse gases originated in developed countries. Second, per capita emissions in developing countries are still relatively low. And third, the share of global emissions originating in developing countries will grow to meet social and development needs.” By emissions we refer to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Philippines belongs to beliefs two and three, and while two is a simple statement of fact relative to developed countries, our “relatively low” levels of GHG emissions should not be reason for complacency nor foolish celebration. The third belief supplies the reason why. But there is more to belief three than meets the eye. To it must be asked: Whose social and development needs will be met by an increase in GHG emissions in developing countries? The relocation of Western-owned, carbon-emitting factories to Asia because of cheap labor, precisely because labor is cheap, cannot speak of meeting social and development needs of the locals. Rather, it speaks of meeting social and development needs of the Western world at the expense of a fast-tracked climate change in our shores.

While the Kyoto Protocol came to force only on Feb. 16, 2005, the UNFCCC as an international treaty was adopted way back in 1992, or some 13 years previous, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In fact, only those who were “parties” to the UNFCCC could sign or ratify the Kyoto Protocol. However, the UNFCCC is a framework, and as such, is absent of the nuts and bolts needed for a global machinery to begin work on environmental rehabilitation. The parties to the UNFCCC committed themselves to a schedule of meetings to hammer out the operational details of their treaty. It was in their third such meeting, the third Conference of Parties (COP3), held in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, that they finally adopted a protocol to the treaty. Why did it take over seven years (from Dec. 11, 1997 when it was adopted, to Feb. 16, 2005) for the Kyoto Protocol to come to force?
AArt. 25 of the Kyoto Protocol stipulates that the protocol will be enforceable on the 90th day after the date that at least 55 parties to the UNFCCC have ratified it. However, the article also specified that the 55 parties must include nations listed in “Annex I.” To clarify, developed or highly industrialized countries, because of their high levels of GHG emissions, are especially listed in Annex I of the Kyoto Protocol and, as such, are especially referred to as Annex I countries or nations.

How many Annex I countries should ratify the protocol before it becomes implementable? The answer is enough countries for so long as their combined carbon dioxide emissions accounts for at least 55% of the total carbon dioxide emissions of all Annex I countries (based on 1990 levels). Thus, the Kyoto Protocol is a no-nonsense agreement, intent to render itself useless unless it is assured of addressing a substantial amount of GHG emissions. Conversely, as soon as Annex I countries ratify the Kyoto Protocol, whatever measures the protocol will apply to fix GHG emissions will address considerable worldwide emissions.
TThus, while the “55 parties” condition of the Kyoto Protocol’s ratification was met when Iceland approved it in May 2002, it was not until Russia signed it on Nov. 18, 2004 that the “55%” obligation was achieved. As of the start of 2009, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 183 countries, representing over 63% emission of Annex I countries.

What are the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol? These and more will be discussed next week.*