Different Protocols (Climate Change, Air Pollution) Kyoto, Montreal (It is

forbidden to use products with CFC)

1. Kyoto Protocol (1997)

 Focus: Climate Change
 Key Goal:
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the aim of reducing the
concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. The protocol
primarily targeted industrialized nations, requiring them to reduce their
emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and other GHGs.
 Main Provisions:
1. Binding Targets for Developed Countries: Industrialized nations
were assigned specific, legally binding emissions reduction targets (an
average of 5.2% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period,
2008-2012).
2. Market Mechanisms: It introduced innovative mechanisms like
emissions trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and
Joint Implementation (JI) that allowed countries to meet their
targets more flexibly.
3. Adaptation and Financial Assistance: The protocol included
provisions for financial and technical support for developing countries
to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
 Limitations:
o The United States withdrew from the agreement, and many
developing countries, such as China and India, were not required to
take on binding emission targets.
o Its success was limited, with the protocol not achieving substantial
emissions reductions in many countries.

2. Montreal Protocol (1987)

 Focus: Ozone Layer Protection
 Key Goal:
The Montreal Protocol aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the
production and consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer,
particularly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone-depleting
chemicals.
  Main Provisions:
1. Global Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS): The
protocol set up a detailed schedule for the gradual elimination of these
substances.
2. Financial Mechanism: The Multilateral Fund was established to
help developing countries meet the cost of phasing out ODS.
3. Amendments and Updates: The Kigali Amendment (2016)
expanded the protocol to include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which
are potent greenhouse gases.
 Impact:
o The Montreal Protocol is considered one of the most successful
environmental treaties, with nearly universal ratification (198 parties).
o It has led to significant recovery of the ozone layer, with projections
indicating full recovery by the 2060s.

3. Paris Agreement (2015)

 Focus: Climate Change
 Key Goal:
The Paris Agreement builds on the foundation of the UNFCCC and aims to
limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above
pre-industrial levels.
 Main Provisions:
1. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Countries must
submit their voluntary plans to reduce emissions, with each country
expected to ramp up ambition over time.
2. Global Stocktake: Every five years, a global stocktake will assess
progress towards the temperature goal, with the opportunity to update
NDCs.
3. Climate Finance: The agreement calls for financial support to be
provided to developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation
efforts.
4. Adaptation and Loss & Damage: It emphasizes efforts to support
vulnerable countries in adapting to climate impacts and addresses loss
and damage from climate-related events.
 Impact:
 o While the Paris Agreement has broad global support, it has faced
challenges in ensuring the full implementation of ambitious emission
reductions, particularly in developing countries.

4. Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1979)

 Focus: Air Pollution
 Key Goal:
The Geneva Convention aims to reduce transboundary air pollution in
Europe and North America, addressing pollutants that affect the health of
humans and ecosystems across borders.
 Main Provisions:
1. Emissions Reduction Protocols: The treaty identified major
pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
particulate matter that contribute to acid rain and smog.
2. Cooperative Approach: Countries agreed to work together to
address the problem of air pollution that spreads across national
boundaries, with regular reporting and data sharing.
 Impact:
o The convention led to the creation of multiple protocols (e.g., 1985
Helsinki Protocol, 1994 Oslo Protocol) that imposed specific
emission reduction commitments, leading to a significant decrease in
air pollution in Europe and North America.

5. Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (2016)

 Focus: Climate Change and Air Pollution
 Key Goal:
The Kigali Amendment amends the Montreal Protocol to phase down the
use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in refrigeration and air
conditioning that are powerful greenhouse gases but do not deplete the
ozone layer.
 Main Provisions:
1. Global HFC Phase-down: Developed countries committed to phasing
down HFCs by 85% by 2036, and developing countries are gradually
introduced to the phase-down process.
2. Environmental and Health Benefits: The amendment will
significantly reduce global warming potential (GWP) by curbing the use
of HFCs, contributing to climate change mitigation.
  Impact:
o The Kigali Amendment is expected to prevent up to 0.5°C of global
temperature rise by the end of the century.
o It contributes to both ozone layer protection and climate change
mitigation.

6. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

(1992)
 Focus: Climate Change
 Key Goal:
The UNFCCC is a foundational international treaty that sets the framework
for global efforts to address climate change. It aims to prevent dangerous
human interference with the climate system.
 Main Provisions:
1. Emissions Stabilization: The core objective is to stabilize GHG
concentrations at levels that avoid dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system.
2. National Commitments: Countries are required to submit national
reports on their climate policies and actions.
3. Climate Finance: It encourages financial support for developing
countries to combat climate change.
 Impact:
o The UNFCCC has been the foundation for subsequent agreements
such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
o It has also facilitated mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund
to assist developing countries.

7. Gothenburg Protocol (1999)

 Focus: Air Pollution
 Key Goal:
The Gothenburg Protocol focuses on reducing emissions of pollutants like
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which
contribute to acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone (smog).
 Main Provisions:
 1. Emissions Reduction Targets: Countries agreed to reduce emissions
of several pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides
(NOx), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
2. Monitoring and Reporting: Emission inventories and regular
reporting were established to track progress.
 Impact:
o The protocol has led to significant reductions in air pollution in Europe
and has improved air quality and human health.

8. Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013)

 Focus: Air Pollution and Health
 Key Goal:
The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the
environment from the adverse effects of mercury emissions and releases,
with a focus on limiting mercury use in industrial processes and consumer
products.
 Main Provisions:
1. Mercury Use Restrictions: The convention bans or phases out the
use of mercury in products like thermometers and in processes such as
gold mining.
2. Emission Controls: It establishes controls on emissions of mercury
from power plants and other industrial sources.
3. Cleanup and Remediation: Requires countries to address
contaminated sites.
 Impact:
o The Minamata Convention is a significant step in curbing mercury
pollution, which poses severe health risks, particularly neurological
damage to children.

9. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)

 Focus: Air Pollution and Toxic Chemicals
 Key Goal:
The Stockholm Convention aims to eliminate or restrict the production and
use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)—chemicals that remain in
the environment for long periods and accumulate in the food chain, causing
serious health and environmental risks.
  Main Provisions:
1. Elimination of POPs: Countries agreed to eliminate or severely
restrict the use of chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, and dioxins.
2. Substitution: Encourages the development of safer alternatives to
these chemicals.
3. Monitoring and Assessment: Continuous monitoring of POPs in the
environment is required to assess their impact.
 Impact:
o The convention has led to the global phase-out of many highly toxic
chemicals, contributing to better human health and ecosystem
protection.

10. Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)
 Focus: Ozone Layer Protection
 Key Goal:
The Vienna Convention provides a framework for international cooperation
to protect the ozone layer, which is critical for life on Earth by blocking
harmful ultraviolet radiation.
 Main Provisions:
1. Ozone Protection: It establishes general principles for reducing the
release of ozone-depleting substances.
2. Research and Monitoring: The convention promotes research,
monitoring, and exchange of information related to ozone depletion.
 Impact:
o The Vienna Convention led to the adoption of the Montreal
Protocol, one of the most successful international environmental
agreements.

11. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)

 Focus: Biodiversity Conservation
 Key Goal:
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) seeks to conserve the
Earth's biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources, and
promoting equitable sharing of genetic resources.
 Main Provisions:
 1. Conservation: Countries agree to protect ecosystems and species,
with efforts focused on endangered species.
2. Sustainable Use: The protocol encourages the sustainable use of
natural resources, including forest management and sustainable
agriculture.
3. Access and Benefit Sharing: It requires equitable sharing of benefits
derived from the use of genetic resources.
 Impact:
o The CBD has led to the creation of national biodiversity strategies and
plans and has encouraged significant progress in conservation.

12. Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (1998)

 Focus: Chemical Safety and Air Pollution
 Key Goal:
The Rotterdam Convention regulates the international trade of hazardous
chemicals, ensuring that importing countries are informed about their risks.
 Main Provisions:
1. Prior Informed Consent: Requires exporters to obtain consent from
importing countries before shipping chemicals that pose risks.
2. Chemical List: Countries must notify the Convention about chemicals
they wish to trade, which are then subject to the PIC procedure.
3. Public Information: The Convention ensures that information on
hazardous chemicals is available to the public.
 Impact:
o The Rotterdam Convention has improved chemical safety worldwide,
protecting human health and ecosystems by controlling hazardous
chemical trade.

These protocols collectively reflect global efforts to tackle some of the most
pressing environmental challenges, from air pollution and chemical safety to climate
change and biodiversity conservation.