Eighty-four countries,
including the United States, the European Union, Japan, Russia, and
Canada, signed the Protocol (click here for
a complete list, updated in April 2005). These signatures represent
a willingness to participate in the program and to reduce emissions.
Presently, the 55/55
goal has been met, with the addition of Russia to the list of ratifiers
in the fall of 2004. The Kyoto Protocol was officially put into effect
on February 16, 2005.
Kyoto Status of
the Top Seven Countries that Contribute to Carbon Dioxide Emissions
| Country |
Environmental
Authority |
Global
CO2 Emissions |
Kyoto
Status |
Current
Plans of Action |
 USA |
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) |
36.1% |
signed 11/12/98, not
ratified |
Presently, no
plans to ratify, but encourages voluntary 4.5% reductions
in corporations with economic benefits |
 European
Union (EU)
|
Stavros Dimas, Eurpean
Commissioner for the Environment |
24.3% |
signed 4/29/98, ratified
5/31/02 |
Reduce emissions to 8%
below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. |
 Russia |
Natural Resources Ministry,
Vladimir Putin |
17.4% |
signed 3/11/99, ratified
11/18/04 |
Has agreed to reduce emissions
5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012, but demands a fixed quota due
to carbon sinks in forests |
 China |
State Environmental Protection
Administration (SEPA) |
9.9% |
signed 5/29/98, not
ratified |
No plans to ratify.
Not considered a "Annex-I" country. Intends to
promote cleaner transportation options in cities |
 Japan |
Ministry of the Environment
(MOE) |
8.5% |
signed 4/28/98, ratified
6/04/02 |
Reduce emissions to 6%
below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. |
 Brazil |
Carbon Sequestration Leadership
Forum, Marina Silva |
4.3% |
signed 4/29/98, ratified
8/23/02 |
Enforcement regulations:
Increased fines of environmental damage by ~4000%; supports a "Green
Bank" where fellow countries can buy and trade emission priviledges |
 Australia |
Alternate Fuel Convservation
Program |
2.1% |
signed 4/29/98,
not ratified |
no plans to ratify;
Focuses on deregulation of natural gases and electricity;
leader in alternative energy research |
