Kyoto Protocol
In 1997, worldwide governments agreed on the Kyoto Protocol. The protocol established legally binding targets, for the reduction of greenhouse gases emitted by industrial countries.
Under the protocol, all industrial countries are required to reduce their collective greenhouse gas emissions by just over 5.2 per cent from 1990 levels by 2008–12. The European Union, a leading voice in the Kyoto negotiations, agreed to an 8 per cent reduction, which was subsequently shared between the member states. As part of this, the UK Government made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent by 2008–12 and, in addition, to move towards a target of a 20 per cent reduction of carbon dioxide by 2010.
It is expected that further reductions will be agreed through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the future.