On December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, the United Nations adopts a new treaty for the purpose of limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was a revolutionary attempt to forestall climate change, an admirable effort that yielded mixed results.
By: History.com Editors
1997
Kyoto Protocol first adopted in Japan
Published: April 07, 2020
Last Updated: March 02, 2025
History Shorts: Earth Day's Environmental Origins
Environmental issues have long faced our planet, but what did it finally take to set aside a day just for Earth?
In the '80s and '90s, the international community began to fully internalize the ramifications of climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment. The Kyoto Protocol committed different nations to different actions. Some nations were held to binding targets for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases, while others, including major emitters like China and India, did not having binding targets. Nations that could not meet their objectives had options of ways to contribute to emissions reductions in the “developing” world by doing things like investing in emissions-reducing infrastructure or “trading” emissions by purchasing another nation’s rights to a certain amount of emissions.
84 nations signed onto the Kyoto Protocol, and nearly every United Nations member became a party to it. The most notable exception was the United States. President Bill Clinton signed the treaty on his country’s behalf but did not send it to Congress for ratification, understanding that it would not pass. His successor, George W. Bush, opposed the agreement, saying that the United States’ economy would be harmed if it committed to reductions while so many other nations were exempt. Many nations exceeded their emissions targets during the first phase of the Protocol—Canada, Australia and New Zealand chief among them. Others, like the United Kingdom and Germany, met their goals. Many Eastern European nations dramatically outstripped theirs, almost certainly because of the drop in production due to the breakup of the Eastern Bloc.
In 2011, Canada announced its intent to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. A second phase of the Protocol, the Doha Agreement, was drafted in 2012, but fell seven signatures short of ratification. Innovative but only somewhat effective, the Kyoto Protocol exemplifies both the strength of the international will to improve the climate and the inherent difficulties of bringing world leaders together for that purpose. Although the Kyoto Protocol remains technically in force, it was superseded in 2015 by the Paris Agreement as the primary regulatory instrument for guiding joint international response to rising global temperatures.
Timeline
Also on This Day in History
Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on December 11th
Related Articles
1990s
The Euro: How a Common Currency Helped Europe Achieve Peace
Born in the ashes of World War II, the currency used by 19 European countries went into effect on January 1, 1999.
1990s
How a Petty Snub Led to Clinton’s Government Shutdown—and the Lewinsky Affair
Newt Gingrich was offended that Clinton hadn't talked to him on Air Force One.
1990s
‘Linda Tripp Offered Me the Blue Dress’: Revelations from the Man Who Uncovered the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
When Michael Isikoff broke the story of Ken Starr's investigation into the Lewinsky affair 20 years ago, he had no idea how much it would change the presidency and the country.
1990s
When the ‘Capitol Crawl’ Dramatized the Need for Americans with Disabilities Act
The 1990 protest demonstrated the barriers that inaccessible buildings create for people with disabilities.
About the author
HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.
Citation Information
- Article title
- Kyoto Protocol first adopted in Japan
- Author
- History.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- March 24, 2025
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- March 02, 2025
- Original Published Date
- April 07, 2020
History Every Day
Sign Up for "This Day in History"
Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.
By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.
More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us
