Kyoto Protocol

In December 1997, the parties of the Rio Convention, met for the third time (COP3). This meeting was held at Kyoto, in Japan. At the end of this meeting, 38 industrialised countries (including Belgium) committed themselves to reducing their emissions of six greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N20, HFC, PFC and SF6), held to be responsible for global warming. This reduction was to be an average of 5.2% between 2008 and 2012 in terms of their 1990 levels. Developing countries were not required to commit themselves to specific figures. To come into worldwide effect the protocol had to be ratified by 55 countries which in total produced at least half of the greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to Russia signing in 2004 the protocol came into effect on the 16th of February, 2005. In order to prepare for the expiry date of 2012, a new summit will be held at the end of 2009 in Copenhagen.