Kyoto Protocol, 1997 | The First Binding Climate Treaty — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted at which Conference of the Parties, and when?

   • COP21, Paris, 2015
   • COP3, Kyoto, Japan, 11 December 1997 (correct answer)
   • COP1, Berlin, 1995
   • COP13, Gandhinagar, 2020

   Explanation. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997 at the UNFCCC's Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) in Kyoto, Japan.

2. The Kyoto Protocol's defining structural feature is that it:

   • Imposed identical binding targets on every country in the world
   • Imposed binding emission-reduction targets only on Annex I (developed) countries, not on non-Annex I developing countries (correct answer)
   • Had no targets of any kind
   • Applied only to India and China

   Explanation. Kyoto applies 'common but differentiated responsibilities' in strong form — binding targets for Annex I countries only.

3. Under Kyoto's first commitment period (2008-2012), Annex I countries collectively committed to reducing emissions by approximately:

   • 50% below 1990 levels
   • About 5% below 1990 levels, each country with its own figure (correct answer)
   • 100% below 1990 levels
   • No reduction was required

   Explanation. In the first commitment period, 2008 to 2012, Annex I countries together aimed at about 5 per cent below 1990 levels, each with its own figure. The Doha Amendment set 18 per cent below 1990 levels for 2013 to 2020.

4. Which Kyoto flexible mechanism allowed Annex I countries to invest in emission-reduction projects in developing countries like India and earn credits toward their own targets?

   • Emissions Trading
   • Joint Implementation (JI)
   • The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (correct answer)
   • The Montreal Protocol

   Explanation. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) allowed Annex I countries to invest in projects in non-Annex I countries and earn Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits; India was a major CDM host country.

5. Which of these statements about the Kyoto Protocol's later history is accurate?

   • The United States ratified Kyoto and fully implemented it
   • The United States signed but did not ratify Kyoto, and Canada later left it (correct answer)
   • Kyoto is still the primary global climate treaty today
   • India carried binding reduction targets under Kyoto

   Explanation. The United States signed but did not ratify Kyoto, and Canada later left it. India, as a non-Annex I country, had no binding target.

6. Which instrument now carries the main global climate effort after the Kyoto Protocol?

   • The Stockholm Declaration
   • The Paris Agreement (correct answer)
   • The Ramsar Convention
   • The Basel Convention

   Explanation. The Paris Agreement, using a bottom-up approach with every Party making its own plan, now carries the main effort.