countries. The most significant difference is that only developed countries set
(voluntary) targets to return greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000
(UN 1992). However, the targets were not mandated, and ultimately were not met.
3.2.2 Significance and Limitations of the Kyoto Protocol
COP1 was held in Berlin in 1995. The Protocol and other legal instruments applied
to developed countries since 2000 were agreed in 1997 under the Berlin Mandate,
which prevented the imposing of new obligations on developing countries and
became the basis for creating the Kyoto Protocol.
Table 3.1 International climate change negotiations
Year Event
1972 First UN Environment Conference in Stockholm forming the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
1988 Establishment of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed and ratified by the
United States
1995 Parties to the UNFCCC meet in Berlin (the First Conference of Parties (COP1) to the
UNFCCC) to outline specific emissions targets
1997 Kyoto Protocol adopted: first global treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Developed countries accept binding targets for emissions reduction for 2012 and 2020
2001 The United States rejects the Kyoto Protocol
2003 Formulation of operational rules for sink clean development mechanism (CDM), CDM
board activity report, and discussion on future global warming prevention framework at
COP9
EU implements EU Emission Trading Scheme
2004 Russia ratifies Kyoto Protocol, meeting threshold of signatories to enter into force
2005 Kyoto Protocol enters into force
2007 Bali Action Plan launches parallel negotiations under Framework Convention
2008 Adaptation Fund launched at COP14
2009 World leaders negotiate Copenhagen Accord at COP15
2010 Green Climate Fund established under the Agreement at COP16
2011 New target set for 2015 in Durban Platform at COP17
2012 End of the first commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol
Canada withdraws from Kyoto Protocol
2014 Green Climate Fund established under the Agreement at COP16
2015 Adoption of the Paris Agreement by 196 parties to the UNFCCC
2016 Paris Agreement enters into force
2017 Concrete climate action commitments in COP22
The United States withdraws from Paris Agreement
2018 Commitment to further operationalize the Paris Agreement
2019 The US Trump administration officially notifies the United Nations of its withdrawal from
the Paris Agreement (official withdrawal in November 2020)
3 Concept and Framework of the East Asian Low-Carbon Community
63
(voluntary) targets to return greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000
(UN 1992). However, the targets were not mandated, and ultimately were not met.
3.2.2 Significance and Limitations of the Kyoto Protocol
COP1 was held in Berlin in 1995. The Protocol and other legal instruments applied
to developed countries since 2000 were agreed in 1997 under the Berlin Mandate,
which prevented the imposing of new obligations on developing countries and
became the basis for creating the Kyoto Protocol.
Table 3.1 International climate change negotiations
Year Event
1972 First UN Environment Conference in Stockholm forming the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
1988 Establishment of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed and ratified by the
United States
1995 Parties to the UNFCCC meet in Berlin (the First Conference of Parties (COP1) to the
UNFCCC) to outline specific emissions targets
1997 Kyoto Protocol adopted: first global treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Developed countries accept binding targets for emissions reduction for 2012 and 2020
2001 The United States rejects the Kyoto Protocol
2003 Formulation of operational rules for sink clean development mechanism (CDM), CDM
board activity report, and discussion on future global warming prevention framework at
COP9
EU implements EU Emission Trading Scheme
2004 Russia ratifies Kyoto Protocol, meeting threshold of signatories to enter into force
2005 Kyoto Protocol enters into force
2007 Bali Action Plan launches parallel negotiations under Framework Convention
2008 Adaptation Fund launched at COP14
2009 World leaders negotiate Copenhagen Accord at COP15
2010 Green Climate Fund established under the Agreement at COP16
2011 New target set for 2015 in Durban Platform at COP17
2012 End of the first commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol
Canada withdraws from Kyoto Protocol
2014 Green Climate Fund established under the Agreement at COP16
2015 Adoption of the Paris Agreement by 196 parties to the UNFCCC
2016 Paris Agreement enters into force
2017 Concrete climate action commitments in COP22
The United States withdraws from Paris Agreement
2018 Commitment to further operationalize the Paris Agreement
2019 The US Trump administration officially notifies the United Nations of its withdrawal from
the Paris Agreement (official withdrawal in November 2020)
3 Concept and Framework of the East Asian Low-Carbon Community
63