Union Cabinet approves ratification of the Second Commitment Period of Kyoto Protocol

January 25, 2017

The Union Cabinet has given its approval to ratify the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol on containing the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs).
The second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 2012 and is set to expire in 2020. So far, 75 countries have ratified the Second Commitment Period.

Significance

This decision is considered as token measure to put pressure on developed countries to deliver on climate change commitments.
It further underlines India’s leadership in the comity of countries committed to global cause of environmental protection and climate justice.
India’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol will encourage other developing countries also to undertake this exercise.
It will attract some investments in implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects under this commitment period in accordance with Sustainable Development priorities.

About Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 to fight global warming by reducing GHGs emission and came into effect in 2005. The 1st commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol was from 2008-2012.
The 2nd commitment period for the period 2013- 2020 was adopted in 2012 by the Doha Amendment of the Kyoto Protocol.
The protocol is based on principle of Equity and Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR).
It places obligations on developed nations to undertake mitigation targets to reduce emissions by 5.2% of 1990 levels during 2008-2012 period) and provide financial resources and technology to developing nations.
Developing countries like India have no mandatory mitigation obligations or targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

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