Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Kyoto Protocol definition

What does Kyoto Protocol mean? In legal practice, “Kyoto protocol” refers to the UN climate treaty that set binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for developed (Annex I) countries and created carbon‑market mechanisms used in regulation, compliance and contracts. It is an international agreement under the UNFCCC rather than a domestic statute, but it is referenced in UK and Irish legislation and regulatory schemes. Key features: - Quantified emission limitation and reduction obligations for the first commitment period (2008–2012) and, via the Doha Amendment, a second period (2013–2020). - Coverage of a “basket” of gases: originally six (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6), with nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)...

Emissions Trading and Carbon Markets: Kyoto/Paris, EU ETS and UK ETS, Permits, Compliance and Aviation - Practitioner Guide

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Practice notes

The Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and carbon markets

The Kyoto Protocol required developed economies listed in Annex I to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (Annex I parties) to deliver quantified reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the aim of stabilising concentrations at levels that avoid dangerous human-driven disruption of the climate system. For more information on the UNFCCC, see Practice Note: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1992—snapshot.

The Kyoto Protocol committed Annex I parties to:

specific, legally binding emissions reduction allocations, called ‘assigned amounts’, expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e)
a timetable for meeting those reductions

The core objective was for Annex I parties to cut overall GHG emissions by at least 5% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period (2008–2012), and by at least 18% below 1990 levels in the second commitment period (2013–2020). Annex I parties were obliged to take domestic measures to implement policies that secured these reductions, while retaining flexibility over how to achieve them. To facilitate delivery, the Protocol also established flexible, market-based approaches, including emissions trading...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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