Question

What is Kyoto protocol?

Answer 1

There are some protocols implemented to maintain the environmental balance. Kyoto protocol is one of them. These protocols mainly discuss environmental issues which are currently present in today’s world.

Complete step by step answer
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) works on reducing usage of machines that emit greenhouse gases and it commands other countries which agree with it to reduce emission of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are mainly responsible for global warming and it destroys the balance in the environment. UNFCCC was signed in 1992.
Kyoto is a place in Japan. This protocol was adopted on 11th December, 1997. This became effective from 16th February, 2005. There are currently 192 countries in it.
The main objective of this protocol was to reduce emission of greenhouse gases to a level where it does not interact with the climate system dangerously. There were five greenhouse gases included in its annexure. Those gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride. It also took into consideration that not every country will be able to fight with this problem effectively due to demands, economic conditions and several other reasons.
The first commitment period of this protocol started in 2008 and that ended in 2012. Total 36 countries followed the protocol.

Note
In 2012, the second commitment period started. It is also known as the Doha amendment. Total 37 countries agreed to follow it. Different protocols were made at that time and one of the main environmental issues is Kyoto protocol.