Kyoto Protocol (1997)

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to the International Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC). Its objective is to reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted by the COP-3 (Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change), in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan. For details, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

As of April 2008, 178 states have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kyoto_Protocol_signatories
China ratified the Kyoto protocol on August 30, 2002. Hong Kong, SAR, has applied since April 8, 2003; but Macau, SAR has not applied.

The United States (U.S.A.) is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, but the Federal Government has not ratified it. One reason given by the current president U.S. President George W. Bush for the U.S. opposition to the Kyoto protocol is because the exemption granted to China and India makes the Kyoto Protocol a flawed treaty.

The United States has signed the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, also known as also known as AP6. The AP6 is an international agreement that allows signatory countries to set their own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other nations signing the agreement in 2005 are Australia, India, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and South Korea.