Publications

Ex-post evaluation of the Kyoto Protocol : Four key lessons for the 2015 Paris Agreement

17 May 2014 - Climate Report

Signed in 1997, following the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol (KP) is the first international tool focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation involving as many countries : in its final configuration, thirty six developed countries committed to reduce their emissions by 4% between 1990 and 2008-2012 – the first commitment period (CP1). In April 2014, the data from the CP1 was officially published. This report thus presents the first comprehensive ex-post analysis of the first period of the KP.

Based on the results of this report, it is possible to draw four key lessons from the Kyoto experience for the establishment of a new global agreement that is expected to be signed in Paris in 2015 :

1. Expanding the coverage : striking a balance between overall environmental integrity and flexibility for specific circumstances
2. Removing the virtual specter of internationally legally binding commitments and limiting the focus on methods of compliance
3. Focusing on MRV processes
4. Providing flexibility in the agreement and its adoption process

Ex-post evaluation of the Kyoto Protocol : Four key lessons for the 2015 Paris Agreement Download
To learn more
  • 04/19/2024 Foreword of the week
    World bank and IMF Spring Meetings: How can the reformed institutions play a leading role in funding the transition?

    Rethinking how development can be financed to take into account the rising challenges of our time is a fastidious task, especially when thousands of experts, decision makers and practitioners want to leave their print. The outline of the new international financial architecture is being debated again this week, with more questions open for discussion than consensus on the answers. 

  • 04/19/2024 Blog post
    More and better finance: maximising positive climate impacts for a timely transition 

    Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, significant strides have been made to foster the commitment of countries and financial institutions to address the climate crisis and ensure that climate risks and opportunities are considered in investments. However, with emissions required to peak before 2025, our window of opportunity is rapidly closing to keep +1.5°C within reach. Financial needs to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to address adaptation priorities are increasing rapidly in the meantime. Luis Zamarioli Santos and Diana Cárdenas Monar, from I4CE, believe that commitment must urgently translate into action, and action must bring the urgent change the world needs. Both governments and public financial institutions have a central role to play to deliver more and better finance, maximising positive impacts. This blogpost highlights some opportunities to advance in the path for a systemic transformation, involving key stakeholders with a whole-economy approach.  

  • 04/17/2024
    Ambitious alignment with the Paris Agreement in public development banks

    At the Spring Meetings, during an event with senior climate representatives from Multilateral Development Banks, I4CE, E3G, Germanwatch and NewClimate Institute officially launched a common position paper on what ambitous Paris alignment means for public development banks. This paper summarises years of research on Paris alignment to shed light on best practice and hopefully support decision makers in taking and implementing credible climate commitments. 

See all publications
Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
Subscribe to our mailing list :
I register !
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, receive all the information on climate economics
I register !
Fermer