What is the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol was the first treaty that committed the 87 partaking nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions based on scientific consensus. The treaty was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and was implemented eight years later in 2005.

The primary goal of the Kyoto Protocol was to control emissions of the main human-caused greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period ended in 2012 when a second commitment period was agreed to, known as the Doha Amendment. The Protocol set a precedent for countries to act on the climate urgency.