Department of Life Sciences

Faculty Name: Dr. Praveen N

Subject: Environmental Sciences
Topic: MONTREAL AND KYOTO PROTOCOL, CONVENTION
ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

Script:
Hello Students! In todays session lets discuss about the
Montreal and Kyoto protocol and Convention on Biological
Diversity.

First we will know about Montreal protocol

The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone

Layer was designed to reduce the production and consumption
of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their
abundances in the atmosphere, and thereby protect the earths
fragile ozone layer.
The treaty was originally signed in 1987 and substantially
amended in 1990 and 1992. The Montreal protocol stipulates
that the production and consumption of compounds that
deplete ozone in the stratosphere, i.e., chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform are to be
phased out by 2000. Scientific theory and evidence suggests
that, once emitted to the atmosphere, these compounds could
significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields
the planet from damaging UV radiation.
For each group, the treaty provides a timetable on which the
production of those substances must be phased out.
It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to,
the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050. Due to its
widespread adoption and implementation, it has been hailed as
an example of exceptional international co-operation with Kofi
Annan quoted as saying that perhaps the single most
successful international agreement to date has been the
Montreal Protocol. It has been ratified by 196 countries.
Since the Montreal protocol came into effect, the atmospheric
concentrations of the most important chlorofluorocarbons and
related chlorinated hydrocarbons have either leveled off or
decreased. Halon concentrations have continued to increase, as
the halons presently stored in fire extinguishers are released,
but their rate of increase has slowed and their abundances are
expected to begin to decline by about 2020. The Montreal
protocol currently calls for a complete phase out of HCFCs
(Hydro chlorofluorocarbons) by 2030.
The year 2012 marked the 25 th anniversary of the signing of the
Montreal protocol.

Next, we will learn about Kyoto protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC),
aimed at fighting global warming. The UNFCCC is an
international environmental treaty with the goal of achieving
stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would minimize dangerous
anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

The Protocol places a heavier burden on developed nations

under the principle of common but differentiated
responsibilities. The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 th
February 2005. 192 Parties have ratified the treaty to date.

Under the Protocol, 37 industrialized countries called as Annex

1 countries, commit themselves to a reduction of four
greenhouse gases (GHG) namely carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride and two groups of gases like
hydro fluorocarbons and per fluorocarbons produced by them,
and all member countries give general commitments.
Annex I countries agreed to reduce their collective greenhouse
gas emissions by 5.2% from the 1990 level. Emission limits do
not include emissions by international aviation and shipping,
but are in addition to the industrial gases, chlorofluorocarbons,
or (CFCs), which are dealt with under the 1987 Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Protocol allows for several flexible mechanisms, such as
emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
and joint implementation to allow Annex I countries to meet
their GHG emission limitations by purchasing GHG emission
reductions credits from elsewhere, through financial exchanges,
projects that reduce emissions in non-Annex I countries, from
other Annex I countries, or from annex I countries with excess
allowances. Kyoto is intended to cut global emissions of
greenhouse gases.
The objective is the stabilization and reconstruction of
greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level
that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with
the climate system. The objective of the Kyoto climate change
conference was to establish a legally binding international
agreement, whereby all the participating nations commit
themselves to tackling the issue of global warming and
greenhouse gas emissions.
The target agreed upon was an average reduction of 5.2% from
1990 levels by the year 2012. Contrary to popular belief, the
Protocol will not expire in 2012. In 2012, Annex I countries must
have fulfilled their obligations of reduction of greenhouse gases
emissions established for the first commitment period (2008-
2012).
There are five principal concepts in the Kyoto Protocol,
they are:
i. Commitments to reduce greenhouse gases that are legally
binding for annex I countries, as well as general commitments
for all member countries.
ii. Implementation to meet the Protocol objectives, to prepare
policies and measures which reduce greenhouse gases,
increasing absorption of these gases (for example through geo-
sequestration and bio-sequestration) and use all mechanisms
available, such as joint implementation, clean development
mechanism and emissions trading; being rewarded with credits
which allow more greenhouse gas emissions at home.
iii. Minimizing impacts on developing countries by establishing
an adaptation fund for climate change.
iv. Accounting, reporting and review to ensure the integrity of
the Protocol.
v. Compliance by establishing a compliance committee to
enforce commitment to the Protocol.

Next, we will discuss about convention on biological

diversity.
Biological diversity is the term given to the variety of life on
earth and the natural patterns it forms.
The convention on Biological Diversity entered into force on 29 th
December 1993, it has three main objectives:
I. The conservation of Biological diversity.
II. The sustainable use of the components of biological
diversity.
III. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of
the utilization of genetic resources.

Some of the many issues dealt under the convention include:

Measures the incentives for the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity.
Regulated access to genetic resources and traditional
knowledge, including prior informed consent of the party
providing resources.
Technical and scientific cooperation.
Education and public awareness.
Provision of financial resources.
National reporting on efforts to implement treaty
commitments.
The agreement covers all ecosystems, species, and genetic
resources. The convention reminds decision-makers that
natural resources are not infinite and set out a philosophy of
sustainable use. While past conservation efforts were aimed at
protecting particular species and habitats, the convention
recognizes that ecosystems, species and genes must be used
for the benefit of humans. However, this should be done in a
way and at a rate that does not lead to the long term decline of
biological diversity.

In this session we have learnt about the Montreal and

Kyoto protocol, then convention on biological diversity.
Hope you have got a good insight on some details about
the various protocols. Until we meet again, bye.