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The Kyoto Protocol

Named after the Japanese city where it was concluded in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to address global warming and delay climate change - it aims to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries (and countries with economies in transition) to 5 per cent below the level they were in 1990.

Led by the United Nations, the Protocol sets targets for the greenhouse gas emissions of developed countries for the period 2008 to 2012 (the first commitment period). Different countries have different targets they have to achieve. New Zealand's target is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to the level they were in 1990, or take responsibility for excess emissions.

The text of the Kyoto Protocol is available from the UNFCCC website.

Who is bound by the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol had to be signed and ratified by 55 countries (including those responsible for at least 55 per cent of the developed world's 1990 carbon dioxide emissions) before it could enter into force. This was achieved after Russia ratified in late 2004, with the Protocol entering into force on 16 February 2005. New Zealand ratified on 19 December 2002. Only countries that ratify the Protocol are bound by it.

How will the Kyoto Protocol coming into force affect New Zealand?

The Kyoto Protocol commits New Zealand to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels, on average, over the period 2008 to 2012 or to take responsibility for any emissions above this level if it cannot meet this target.

Our latest greenhouse gas inventory shows that New Zealand's emissions are increasing, with greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 about 22 per cent higher than they were in 1990. In 1990, New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 61,852.8 Gg CO2 equivalent (CO2-e). In 2007, total greenhouse gas emissions were 75,550.2 Gg CO2-e equating to a 13,697.4 Gg CO2-e (22.1 per cent) rise in emissions since 1990. Transport sector emissions are continuing to grow rapidly and now make up almost 19 per cent of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions. If we do nothing to reduce our emissions, our total emissions could be 30 per cent over our target by 2012. If New Zealand has excess emissions above its 1990 target for 2012, we can take responsibility for these emissions in a number of ways, such as purchasing emission units on the international market or using forest sink credits.

As a result of the Kyoto Protocol and earlier climate change initiatives, the New Zealand Government has a range of programmes to reduce emissions already in place or being developed. The private sector is also engaged in this process.

What will happen after 2012?

The Kyoto Protocol first commitment period from 2008 to 2012 is generally seen as an important first step towards a truly global emissions reduction regime that will stabilise and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a level which will avoid dangerous climate change.

The Protocol provides the essential architecture for any new international agreement or set of agreements on climate change. The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. By then, a new international framework needs to have been negotiated and ratified which can deliver on new emission reduction targets.

International negotiations on the design of future commitment periods, emissions reduction targets for different countries, and increased participation by developing countries have already begun.

In December 2006 a discussion document was published on Measures to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in New Zealand Post-2012. It was designed to start a dialogue on preferred policy measures that could reduce our emissions and protect and enhance our forest carbon sinks after the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The future international situation is still uncertain and there are many challenges inherent in developing policies for the period after 2012. However, there are also opportunities to choose policies that will place New Zealand on a positive path for managing emissions and sinks in a way that can also serve our national interests.

There are frequently asked questions on this discussion paper and others that were released in December 2006.

National Interest Analysis

A National Interest Analysis (PDF 350 KB) of New Zealand's intended ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday 13th February 2002.

Parliament requires the tabling of a national interest analysis with any international treaty that the New Zealand enters into, covering the reasons New Zealand should become party to the treaty and the effects of the treaty entering into force. The National Interest Analysis also outlines the principles that will guide climate change policy.

Fourth National Communication

The Fourth National Communication (March 2006) updates New Zealand’s progress towards its commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and towards implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. It is a compulsory requirement under the UNFCCC. The report covers all aspects of New Zealand’s commitments under the UNFCCC including information on:

  • trends in emissions and removals of greenhouse gases
  • policy measures targeted at reducing greenhouse gases and protecting and enhancing sinks
  • projections of emissions and removals of greenhouse gases
  • vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and adaptation measures
  • financial contributions and technology transfer to assist developing countries address climate change
  • efforts undertaken to collaborate on and promote climate change research and monitoring
  • public participation and awareness raising.

Included in the same publication are two additional reports:

  • the Report on the Global climate Observing System which is an additional report required to be submitted with the national communication, and
  • the Report on Demonstrable Progress under the Kyoto Protocol, a separate report required under the Kyoto Protocol.

Note that the greenhouse gas inventory data provided in the fourth national communication is now updated in the National Inventory Report: 1990-2005 (published 2007).

Last updated: 20 March 2008