Another problematic area is that the treaty is ambiguous regarding the extent to which developing nations will participate in the effort to limit global emissions. The original 1992 climate treaty made it clear that, while the developed nations most responsible for the current buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere should take the lead in combating climate change, developing nations also have a role to play in protecting the global climate [5]. (See Per Capita CO2 Emissions Are Small in Developing Countries and Developed Nations Have Altered the Atmosphere the Most.) However, the Kyoto Protocol does not set any binding limits on developing nation emissions, nor does it establish a mechanism or timetable for these countries to take on such limits voluntarily. On the other hand, the Protocol does establish a so-called Clean Development Mechanism, which allows developed countries to invest in projects in developing countries that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and receive credit for the reductions. The intent is to help developing nations minimize their emissions even as they develop their energy sectors and expand their economies [6].

References and notes

5. Ibid., p. 121.

6. Op. cit. 4, pp. 124-125.