The Kyoto Protocol
In 1997, developed countries agreed under the Kyoto Protocol to binding targets for their emissions of six key greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride). The targets range from an 8% reduction to a 10% increase, with an overall shared reduction of 5%.
The Kyoto Protocol is a piece of international law agreed through the United Nations. It came into force in 2005.
The agreement allows countries a degree of flexibility in meeting these targets. Countries are allowed to exchange emissions permits through emission trading schemes and to contribute partially to their targets by financing verified projects in developing countries. The EU Emission Trading Scheme is an implementation of these principles. By retiring allowances from this scheme through Carbon Retirement, you can effectively reduce the level of emissions allowed by the EU.
The Kyoto Protocol covers all greenhouse gas emissions, while the EU Emission Trading Scheme covers the most polluting industries. European governments must therefore put additional measures in place to manage emissions from other parts of their economies and meet their commitments in the Kyoto Protocol.
The successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, will be agreed in 2009.
Further information
For more information, visit the Kyoto Protocol pages at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
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Use the options above to work out how many tonnes of carbon you want to retire. You can calculate the emissions associated with flights, driving, and the energy you use at home. If you already know how many tonnes you want to retire, you can enter it directly.
The calculator follows recognised government guidelines. It uses data published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.