What was the main goal of the Kyoto Protocol?

The primary aim of the Kyoto Protocol was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This international treaty, adopted in 1997 and effective from 2005, represented a commitment by participant countries to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are significant contributors to climate change. The Protocol established legally binding obligations for developed countries to minimize their emissions, reflecting the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” that acknowledged the different capacities and responsibilities of various nations in addressing climate change. The Kyoto Protocol aimed to combat global warming through a collective global effort to transition towards sustainable practices and decrease the atmospheric concentrations of these harmful gases. Thus, the focus was on mitigation of climate impact rather than promoting energy production through fossil fuels or nuclear energy, or the elimination of carbon dioxide, which is fundamentally essential for life on Earth.