Established under the UNFCCC, composed of industrialized countries
and economies in transition (Eastern Europe and former Soviet
Union)
Non-Annex I Parties
Developing country Parties under the Convention.
Annex B Parties
Industrialized countries and economies in transition adopting
legally binding commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
Conference of the Parties
The "supreme body" governing the Climate Change Convention.
Entry-into-Force
International agreements enter into force when specified conditions
have been met. The Kyoto Protocol will enter into force when 55%
of Parties representing 55% of Annex I emissions ratify the agreement.
Greenhouse Effect
The atmosphere contains certain gases that let in sunlight but
prevent the escape of infrared heat. Without this 'natural blanket',
Earth would have been too cold for life as we know it to have
evolved. Higher concentrations of greenhouse gases trap more heat
in the atmosphere and warm up the global climate. The concern
now is that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil
fuels, has raised the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere, thereby trapping additional heat.
Greenhouse Gases
The six greenhouse gases targeted by the Kyoto Protocol, and
Canada's relative share of each, are carbon dioxide (76%), methane(13%),
nitrous oxides (9%), perfluorocarbons (0.9%), sulfur hexafluoride
(0.2%) and hydrofluorocarbons (0.1%).
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The official body which provides scientific and technological
advice to the Parties to the UNFCCC. Website: www.ipcc.ch
'Kyoto Gap'
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Canada's target is to bring greenhouse
gas emissions down to 6% below 1990 levels in the period between
2002-2012 (an annual emissions target of 565 megatonnes (Mt) C02
equivalent). An inventory done in 1997, however, showed emissions
of 682 Mt, or 13% higher than the 1990 level of 601 Mt. By the
year 2010, emissions are projected to be 764 Mt under a business-as-usual
scenario that takes into account policies and programs in place
as of 1999. To achieve the Kyoto Protocol target, average annual
emissions in the 2008-2012 period will need to be reduced by 199
Mt to 565 Mt - a 26% reduction. By the year 2020, if no further
policies or actions are taken, emissions are expected to rise
41% above 1990 levels. This is called the 'Kyoto Gap'.
Kyoto Protocol
A legal instrument negotiated in 1997 under the Framework Convention.
It commits developed countries to reduce their collective emissions
of six greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.
It will come into effect when 55 Parties ratify the agreement,
representing 55 percent of total Annex 1 emissions in 1990.
Parties
Upon ratifying an international agreement, countries become
"Parties" to that agreement.
Ratification: Ratification defines the international act whereby
a state indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty. In the
case of multilateral treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol, the
usual procedure is for a depositary to collect the ratifications
of all states, keeping all parties informed of the situation.
The institution of ratification grants states the necessary time-frame
to seek the required approval for the treaty on the domestic level
and to enact the necessary legislation to give domestic effect
to that treaty. In Canada, Cabinet approval is required for ratification.
Signature
International agreements are generally opened for signature
shortly after they are completed. Signature by countries expresses
willingness to continue the treaty-making process, including decisions
on whether to ratify.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
An international treaty which established a framework for global
cooperation on climate change. It opened for signature at the
Earth Summit in 1992, and came into force in 1994 after 50 countries,
including Canada, ratified it. Website: www.unfccc.de
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