Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Doha Amendment and joint fulfilment of commitments

The European Parliament adopted by 584 votes to 59, with 8 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the joint fulfilment of commitments thereunder.

Following the recommendation by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Parliament decided to give its consent to conclusion of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol.

The Doha amendment establishes a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol (KP CP2), starting on 1 January 2013 and ending on 31 December 2020, with legally binding emission reduction commitments according to which the European Union, its Member States and Iceland are committed to limit their average annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the years 2013 to 2020 to 80% of their base year emissions (mostly 1990). That commitment was determined on the basis of the total greenhouse gas emissions allowed during the period 2013-2020 under the EU Climate and Energy Package.