The Kyoto Protocol is an amendment which was added onto the UNFCCC and sets fixed limits for emissions for the various countries that sign the amendment. It was agreed in 1997 when COP-3 was held in Kyoto, Japan, however Kyoto only actually came into force in February 2005 believe it or not! (click here for proof)
Currently there are 172 countries signed up in agreement with Kyoto and have agreed to legally binding limits that will reduce their emissions to 5.2% below the levels in 1990. Following November 2007's election in Australia, the new Prime Minister signed the Kyoto Protocol as his first act of office, leaving the US as the only developed nation not to commit to the deal.
The Kyoto Protocol will expire in 2012 and talks began in May 2007 at the G8 summit discussing the need for a future agreement to reduce global emissions.
Kyoto commits the UK to keeping annual greenhouse emissions during the period 2008-2012 to 12.5% below 1990 levels. But this is not nearly enough to keep our emissions under control and stop climate change becoming catastrophic.
Tearfund, together with other members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, is currently asking the UK government to commit to reducing our emissions by at least 80% on the levels in 1990. You can ask the government to commit to this target now by clicking here.
You can learn more about the Kyoto Protocol at the following links:
• http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
• wikipedia