The Problem
The Kyoto Protocol is an attempt by the nations of the world to deal with enhanced global warming due to the enormous output of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and 5 other main gases). The level of climate change expected to occur will have a huge impact on all life on this planet and has the potential to cause global scale environmental change and degradation. Even a relatively modest warming of 1 to 2o Celsius globally could do this.

The Response
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement reached in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan which sets target and timetables for the reduction to future greenhouse gas emissions by each country. The Kyoto Protocol extends the commitments of signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce these gases. If fully implemented by all countries the Kyoto Protocol offers an effective international framework for tackling climate change and may prove to be the most profound and important global agreement of the 20th century. There are two types of countries Annex 1 the developed countries of the world which agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Annex 2 countries which no emission limits were imposed. However, if and when future revision of Kyoto take place then some countries currently in Annex 2 will have to be moved into Annex 1. The agreement came into force on 16th February 2005 after Russia became the latest signatory in November 2004. Over 150 countries initially signed up to the Kyoto Treaty and so far 144 countries and territories have ratified the actual Protocol.

The main overall target agreed in the Protocol is to reduce industrialised countries emission of greenhouse gases by 5.2% by 2012 based on the 1990 figures. However, this figure is variable for each country and the calculation for each country is based on the degree of economic development, population, size and climate of that country. So, it is an attempt to fairly distribute the load with more highly developed and wealthier countries required to do relatively more than the less developed and less well off countries. This allows those less developed countries further scope for economic development.

Ireland and the EU
Ireland along with the rest of the EU countries ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 31st May 2002. Ireland agreed to a target limiting its greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above the 1990 level by 2012 as part of its contribution to the overall EU target. This figure was decided in 1998 as part of an EU Burden-Sharing Agreement with the EU agreeing to an overall reduction of 8% on the 1990 level by 2012. The government instigated the National Climate Change Strategy in order for Ireland to achieve its Kyoto commitments. The main measures identified include an expansion of renewable energy, fuel switching towards less carbon based fuels, fuel efficiency, a carbon tax (which has been withdrawn by the government at the last minute), tax relief for industries which reduce emissions, expansion of the Sustainable Energy Ireland Programmes, a reduction in methane from the national herd with a reduction of 10% of the projected 2010 livestock numbers, a similar reduction in the use of nitrogenous fertilisers, improved building regulations to reduce new home energy use by 20%.

Ireland's Performance So Far
As a result of the incredible economic growth of the 1990's Ireland was producing vastly more greenhouse gases than was our target. By 2001 Ireland's emission were 31% above the 1990 guide level, in 2002 this was 29% a slight drop mostly due to lower economic growth than previous years. Fortunately, by 2003 a more significant decline was achieved with a further reduction down to 25% above the 1990 guide level. This is still well above our target of being 13% above the 1990 guide level by 2012. Current EU projections suggest that by 2008 the EU will be at 4.7% below 1990 levels and will reach its overall target of an 8% reduction by 2012. However, Ireland will struggle to reach its target as a result of renewed high economic growth levels and increasing dependence on fossil fuels.

On the ground this means that companies which release greenhouse gases have a number of options. These include reducing emissions to an agreed level by lowering production (which is not very realistic) or more realistically by improved efficiencies or using less polluting technology for production. They can also buy allowances from other companies or EU states. Some companies will end up paying the penalties in the end and these have been set at 40 euro per tonne in the first pilot phase, rising to 100 euro per tonne thereafter. In addition to these costs the companies concerned will have to pay the additional costs of permits, company audits, monitoring and verification.

Difficulties
The two major industrialised opponents to Kyoto are the USA and Australia which have no intention to ratify the Protocol. This is very important in the case of the USA as it is currently the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. The USA pulled out of the ratification process in 2001. The main reason given was that countries which were not Annex 1 of the Protocol were not given any targets for greenhouse gas emissions and this included China which is currently one of the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases. In addition the cost of Kyoto is likely to far outweighed the cost of the likely climate change, this idea is still in dispute. More worryingly the USA, Australia, Italy, China, India and a number of developing countries had teamed up to oppose any strategy for a Kyoto Mark II or any similar arrangement with binding commitments.

What can the ordinary person do?
Clearly the biggest way individuals can contribute is by monitoring their energy consumption, particularly in terms of transport, in the home and in the garden and of course recycling. In the case of transport the use of public transport where possible or using non-polluting modes of transport including walking and cycling will reduce the individual's contribution. In the home the more energy efficient the better including use of insulation, proper space heating including turning down the thermostat and heating one room at a time when in use. Turning off all appliances and sockets when not in use will also reduce energy consumption. In the garden one of the most effective ways of removing carbon dioxide is to plant trees. On average a typical tree absorbs one tonne of carbon dioxide for every cubic metre of growth.