Seven years on and Kyoto comes into force

The Kyoto protocol is set to come into force on the 16 February. Under the treaty, the 30 western countries signed up to Kyoto have agreed to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases by up to 12·5% on 1990 levels.

The treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions was drawn up in 1998, however, it was not until Russia signed up in November, that it got the backing it needed to become law.

The treaty’s effect will be muted by the refusal of the world’s biggest polluter, the US, to back the protocol.

The EU’s carbon trading scheme got underway in January this year. Under the scheme firms are permitted to emit an agreed amount of CO₂ each year, but if they exceed their quota they will be forced to buy ‘pollution permits’. It is intended the scheme will create a financial incentive for firms to reduce green house emissions.