Kyoto Protocol

The international political response to climate change began with the adoption of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 1992. The UNFCCC sets out a framework for action to achieve “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”. The UNFCCC called for emissions reductions on the basis of equity, common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities.

Although the effective period of the Kyoto Protocol ends in year 2012, there are intense negotiations under way to reach an agreement on the mode of extension of the principles of Kyoto beyond this date as the expected reduction in CO2 levels have not materialized and in fact the levels have grown significantly beyond the 1990 levels. The recent Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC held in Bali Indonesia addressed this issue and the proposed cuts are of the order of 25% - 40 % by year 2020.

One of the mechanisms approved by the UNFCCC under this protocol is the Clean Development Mechanism whereby the Green House Gas (GHG) emission savings made by the non annex countries through appropriate projects, can be credited to the Annex I countries to meet their GHG emission reduction obligations imposed by the Kyoto Protocol. The process of approval of the projects and registration of the approved projects with the Executive Board of the UNFCCC as well as the subsequent verification and certification of the savings in GHG emissions actually achieved is strictly regulated by a rigorous process and procedures.

The emissions reductions with Green Lanka Travel initiatives are not eligible for carbon credits. We follow emissions reductions strategies solely on a voluntary basis.