Implementing the Kyoto Protocol in the European Community

The EC ratified the Kyoto Protocol on May 31, 2002. It has pledged to meet the implied target of an 8 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012 compared to 1990 levels. The European Union, as well as its Member States, is putting in place a set of policies and measures to achieve this. An analysis of greenhouse gas projections by the Member States themselves and Europe-wide model projections, however, show that this target is unlikely to be met with the envisaged domestic policies alone. The remaining gap would have to be closed using the Kyoto mechanisms or by developing and implementing additional domestic policies. So far, few EU Member States have yet taken concrete steps to realise this.