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Kyoto Protocol – What is it?
•1997 - United Nations meeting in Kyoto
•Part of the UNFCC series – COP 3
•New Goal – 5% below 1990 by 2008 to 2012
•Developing countries – excused temporarily
•Allows for emission trading - important
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Five years later progress had been slow. At Kyoto more stringent goals were set. Individual targets were set for each of the developed countries after some negotiation.

Canada came away from that meeting with no recognition that it has more potential for population growth than many of the developed countries. Our target, at 6% below 1990 levels is very near the average of about 5%.

Again, developing countries were not asked to meet a target in view of their low per capita emissions and the need for energy to improve their lot.

An important point for Canada is that international emission/permit credit trading is allowed and supported under Kyoto. This allows for the purchase of emission reductions from other countries.