AN AMENDMENT TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The Parties to this Protocol,
Being Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, hereinafter referred to as "the Convention,"
In pursuit of the ultimate objective of establishing an environmental
protocol that promotes sustainable development,
Acknowledging that change in the Earth's climate and its
adverse effects are a common concern of humankind,
Concerned that human activities have been substantially
increasing the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases,
that these increases enhance the natural greenhouse effect, and
that this will result on average in an additional warming of
the Earth's surface and atmosphere and may adversely affect natural
ecosystems and humankind,
Aware of the role and importance in terrestrial and marine ecosystems
of sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, propose this protocol
in an effort to stabilize climate change and promote activism
from parties to partake in change and to pursue new methods in
new ways,
Have agreed to amend the Kyoto protocol as follows:
Article 1 - Definitions
For the purposes of this amendment to the Kyoto Protocol,
the definitions contained in Article 1 of the Convention and
in Article 1 of the Kyoto Protocol shall apply. In addition,
the following extended definitions and abridged scientific explanations
shall serve as reference to this amendment:
1. Main greenhouse gases (GHGs) and Black Carbon
i) Carbon dioxide (CO2) - It is considered the most important
human-influenced GHG. Scientific measurements reveal an unmistakable
global increase that is rapid and escalating. This increase arises
primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (motorized vehicles,
electric power plants, and homes heated with gas or oil) and
from the burning and clearing of forested land for agricultural
purposes.
ii) Methane (CH4) - It is largely a byproduct of natural biologic
processes, but its output can be accelerated by activities. It
is emitted from the decay of organic matter in waterlogged soils
(for example, wetlands and rice paddies) and from the digestive
tracts of grazing animals (for example, ruminants). The additions
from human activities include the expansion of rice agriculture,
the increased number of livestock, the increased number of landfills,
and leakage from natural gas pipelines.
iii) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - They have no natural source;
they are produced entirely by human activity. CFCs have historically
been used widely as refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators,
freezers, and pumps. They are found in some foam plastics and
used in some electronics manufacturing. Even though CFC production
has been vastly reduced, these compounds remain in the atmosphere
for a long time; we shall see their effects as GHGs for many
years.
iv) Nitrous oxide (N2O) - It is a naturally occurring GHG, which
has increased significantly in recent years due to human activity.
It is emitted from coal-burning power plants and can be released
from the breakdown of chemical fertilizers in the soil.
v) Ozone (O3 ) - It is a greenhouse gas that resides in the entire
atmosphere. Stratospheric ozone has the overall positive effect
of protecting the Earth from harmful UV radiation. In the troposphere,
ozone can be a major component of urban smog, has damaging effects
on crops and can aggravate respiratory problems, as well as enhancing
the greenhouse effect.
vi) Black Carbon - The byproduct of any combustion of fossil
fuels or biomass burning. When emitted into the atmosphere, it
mixes with existing aerosols and absorbs more radiation causing
a warming effect.
2. Carbon equivalent emission credit trading
Emission credit trading occurs when a source of pollution
reduces its emissions and then transfers ownership of the emission
reduction to another party. Markets for emission reductions can
be created by regulation (e.g. the market for sulfur dioxide
allowances for example) or voluntarily (the current market for
greenhouse gases). A developing country for instance would have
a high demand for methane producing agriculture and therefore
have a difficult time reducing methane emission. Under an emission
credit trading system, however, a developed country would balance
this emission by reducing methane on the developing country's
behalf while the developing country would reduce carbon dioxide
on the developed country's behalf. Emission credit trading involves
the transfer in ownership of emission reductions. This trading
can be used to reduce global emission levels.
3. Carbon sinks and equivalencies
Natural deposits of carbon are stored in terrestrial sources
known as "carbon sinks". Through biological growth,
plants fix carbon into their cells' tissues. Approximately two
thirds of the global terrestrial carbon sink is stored in forests,
understory plants, debris and soil. A significant contribution
of CO2 emission comes from human land-use change, mostly deforestation
and biomass burning.
4. Alternative energies
Alternative energies create energy without the burning of
fossil fuels. Therefore, power plants do not emit CO2 or black
carbon. Alternative energies have low variable costs. Those energies
include: wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear
energy.
Article 2 - Principles
Furthermore, the following principles shall guide
this protocol:
1. Scientific Evidence: Lack of full and complete scientific
evidence should not be used as reason for postponing step-by-step
measures that can be implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, when taking action, it is important to use discretion
and take into consideration the amount of scientific consensus
and economic influence that restrictions and protocols will have
on the global society and economy.
2. Sustainable Development: Sustainable development, the
ability to provide for today without compromising the ability
of future generations to provide for themselves, shall be supported.
However, it should be recognized that each country's development
will be different and dependent upon their unique situation.
By implementing global change towards a sustainable climate,
the creation of alternative technologies and funding should promote
a goal to increase the overall quality of health, environment,
and community around the world.
3. International Economic System: The Parties should cooperate
to create an international economic system that, by its fundamental
nature, promotes sustainable development and environmental responsibility.
Measures taken to combat climate change should not constitute
arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction
on international trade.
4. Precautionary Principle: Precautionary measures to
anticipate and minimize the causes of climate change and mitigate
its adverse effects should be taken. These should be pragmatic
and cost-effective so as to ensure global benefits at the lowest
possible cost.
5. Developed Country Responsibilities: Developed country
parties should take the lead in combating climate change and
the adverse effects thereof. Developed countries should also
willingly provide support to developing nations, including funding,
technology, and training. Discrimination against developing countries
is strongly discouraged.
6. Party Responsibilities: Each Party should recognize
and take action for its own greenhouse gas emission levels and
each party's respective contribution to global pollution.
7. Biodiversity: Each party should take responsibility
for the conservation of natural resources, including forests,
within their territory and prevent further degradation of these
resources. Natural resources play an important role in the climate
change process by providing natural carbon sinks and are therefore
valuable assets. The rapid rate of land use change is an international
problem that requires international effort and cooperation.
8. Alternative Energy: An international effort to reduce
emissions by means of alternative energy should be established.
Developed countries must take the lead to implement a strategy
that promotes the immediate start of phasing in alternative energy
to reduce global emissions in both developed and developing countries.
9. Cooperative Activities: Cooperative efforts among Parties
to address climate change are strongly encouraged. These activities
include, but are not limited to, trading emission credits, research
and implementation of alternative energy sources and more effective
use of natural resources, education, and capacity building (e.g.
CDM).
Article 3 - Amendment
The parties recognizing that:
1. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide has the largest human-induced
impact on climate at this time;
2. The global reductions in carbon dioxide required to
fully abate its detrimental impacts will have a high cost, will
require sacrifice and the fellowship of mankind in a manner never
achieved before, and will take time to be effective;
3. The parties assembled here are not prepared at this
time to bear the total costs of reductions required to fully
mitigate human induced climate change, make the associated sacrifices
or wait without clear initial results;
Propose an amendment to the Kyoto Protocol that endorses an active
reduction of the main emissions defined in article 1 leading
to global warming (positive radiative forcing) by all parties,
while acknowledging the difference between the parties that are
still developing and those developed. The terms of commitment
in this amendment are relative to each party's individual needs,
abilities and willingness to cooperate.
Through this amendment the parties, therefore, shall:
i) Implement a strategy whereby each participating party focuses
on limiting emissions that lead to a positive radiative forcing.
This includes limiting methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, CFCs and
black carbon emissions in combination or in lieu of carbon dioxide
emissions;
ii) Implement a "carbon equivalent" emission credit
trading strategy;
iii) Implement a strategy to protect and enhance carbon sinks
and reservoirs, and protect natural resources;
iv) Develop a strategy that promotes the immediate start of phasing
in alternative energy to replace fossil fuels equivalent to the
respective abilities of the parties.
Article 4 - Non-CO2 emissions reduction
The parties realize that in addition to CO2, non-CO2
greenhouse gases also present a substantial threat to the global
climate due to their rapid concentration increase and their strong
global warming potential. Consequently the parties agree that
they should take steps to reduce non-CO2 greenhouse gases in
such a way as to reduce the overall global warming potential
of the aggregate greenhouse gases and black carbon.
To that effect, developed and developing countries shall work
together to produce cleaner energy sources. Developed countries
will offer technology, education, and financial support. In exchange,
developing countries shall offer emission credits.
With regards to methane emissions, the parties shall work towards:
i) Developing less polluting rice paddy agriculture.
ii) Installing methane ventilation devices in coal mines, which
would trap methane potentially available for energy.
iii) Researching different feeding methods for livestock, which
would result in a decrease of emissions.
iv) Constructing burners at new and old landfills so that methane
can be captured and turned into energy.
v) Improving the maintenance of fossil fuel pipelines in order
to prevent leakage.
With regards to black carbon emission, the parties shall work
towards:
i) Phasing wood and biomass burning out as a primary energy sources
and implementing cleaner technologies such as solar, wind, natural
gas and geothermal.
ii) Collaborating to obtain more efficient engines, cars, and
other forms of transportation for developing countries.
With regards to other non-CO2 greenhouse gases, the parties shall
work towards:
i) Further exploring those greenhouse gases that could provide
a greater reduction in the warming trend. Those include ozone,
CFCs and nitrous oxide.
Article 5 - Emissions Credit Trading
1. The parties agree that the main goal of emissions trading
is to reduce global emissions in the most cost effective manner
so as to benefit all parties and the global environment.
2. The emissions trading marketplace shall be established
as follows:
i) The International Regulatory Committee (IRC), composed of
representatives of signatory parties, will determine the allotted
credits that each nation receives based on some of the following
criteria: current emissions, population, 1990 emissions, carbon
sinks, and level of national development.
ii) The allocation of credits will be evaluated and adjusted
on a periodic basis by the IRC.
iii) A credit will be defined as follows: each credit will permit
the holder to emit one ton of carbon, or carbon equivalent. A
country that goes over its allocation of credits will have to
make up the difference by buying or trading with countries that
have excess credits.
iv) Non-compliant countries will be subject to penalties.
v) Each nation will be allowed to trade up to half the credits
equal to the difference of their current emissions and their
credit allocation. This means that at least half the action for
reducing emissions must occur within the countries' borders,
and the remainder will be eligible for trading.
vi) Trade can occur under the following mechanisms: credits for
cash, clean development mechanisms, and the establishment and/or
preservation of carbon sinks.
vii) No third party trading of clean development mechanisms is
allowed.
3. A tax of 1% will be levied on the value of all transactions
to provide funds for the establishment of the IRC and compliance
inspections. Excess funds will be used to assist developing countries
in the implementation of sustainable development strategies.
4. An equivalency table will be created whereby greenhouse
gases can be exchanged with each other in ratios based on global
warming potential.
Article 6 - Protection and Enhancement of
Carbon Sinks
The parties agree that there are two issues of concern
in regard to the protection and enhancement of global carbon
sinks:
1. Land Use: The needs from increasing populations in
developing countries for agricultural land and fuel wood has
been driving the tropical forest loss. International aid that
promotes sustainable and responsible land-use practices and the
implementation of Clean Development Mechanisms that provide alternative
resources will support the protection and maintenance of natural
resources against human encroachment and their ability to serve
as carbon sinks for the globe.
2. Forest Regulation: The demand from developed countries
for exotic tropical hardwoods produces a global contribution
to the deforestation problem. Sustainable forest management,
replanting programs, alternative products, and international
support are needed for the implementation of a forest conservation
strategy.
The parties, therefore, agree that there is a need to protect
and enhance carbon sinks for the benefit of the world and consequently
the parties to this amendment shall:
i) Establish international aid programs;
ii) Implement and/or further elaborate comprehensive local forest
protection legislation and sustainable management programs with
support from the international community;
iii) Provide support for public investment and education
public involvement and support of sustainable land-use practices
and education about the state of the environment will promote
preservation in the future;
iv) Provide incentives to reduce demand - alternative products
must be explored in order to replace reliance on wood. Cooperation
between nations for the implementation of alternative energy
sources will lower demand for wood products.
The parties agree to support the preservation and enhancement
of worldwide carbon sinks for the benefit of individual nations
and the overall quality of the world with regards to:
1. Carbon Sink Credits - The parties can establish, preserve,
and enhance carbon sinks within their own boundaries providing
internal carbon credits toward the nation's overall emission
levels.
2. Carbon Trading - Global carbon sink sources can be
established, preserved, and enhanced through an international
trading system. On a global scale, parties can trade carbon by
preserving an international carbon sink and/or providing technological
support to another country.
3. A ratio for specific carbon sink types will create
a global standard of measurement. For instance, a ratio for tropical
forest is: 1 square kilometer = 50,000 tonnes of biomass = 25,000
tonnes of carbon stored.
Article 7 - Alternative Energy (Preliminary)
The parties, recognizing the need to reduce emissions
through sustainable technological innovation, shall develop and
implement alternative energy strategies. Developed countries
will be expected to take the lead in implementation of this technology
by immediately phasing in viable alternative energy sources.
Developed countries shall provide financial and technological
support to aid developing countries in achieving this goal.
original signed by
African Nations, Brazil, China, European Union, India, United
States of America