Two treaties, with a planet at stake

Vastly different, but with a common aim, Kyoto and Montreal are two protocols that impact the future greatly.

Kyoto protocol binds 37 developed countries, all of which are to lessen their greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 5%. America, which emits 19.78 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita, has yet to accept Kyoto protocol. Currently, targets set under Kyoto protocol have not been achieved, causing it to be regarded as a failure. This is because it only deals with the total emission of 12 greenhouse gases, instead of focusing on them individually.

The Montreal protocol was established in 1987, following the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer. It is the only international environment treaty that every country has signed, and sets limits on the emissions of substances that deplete the ozone layer. It offers grants and grace periods to reduce ozone-layer substances (ODS) on a case-to-case basis. From 1991 to July this year, $2.3 billion dollars was given out to finance this operation. The Montreal protocol has been 4 times more effective than the Kyoto protocol in reducing greenhouse gases, causing it to be considered as the most effective environment treaty.

Source: Straits Times, Thursday, October 15: Two treaties, with a planet at stake