12.10 Acquisition period: Certified emissions reductions (CERs) can be obtained from 2000 upto the beginning of the first commitment period, that is, 2008, and these CERs can be used to achieve compliance in the first commitment period from 2008 to 2012.

This provision has been criticised by several experts as a loophole which is called Superheated Air. Only emissions reduced within the commitment period should be taken into account. It reduces the impact of the KP in addressing the build-up of greenhouse gases and thus addressing the problem of climate change.

Article 12 of the FCCC states all parties should provide a national communications to the FCCC secretariat.

Article 7 of the KP says that Annex 1 parties must add the following information in their national communications:

• The necessary supplementary information needed for ensuring compliance with the emissions reduction objectives set out in Article 3. This information will be incorporated in the annual inventory of anthropogenic emissions. This information will be provided annually beginning with the first year after the KP has entered into force.

3.5 & 3.6: Flexibilities for countries with economies in transition

What does it really say?

CSE Briefing Paper 1

To understand the Kyoto Protocol (KP), adopted in Kyoto on December 11, 1997, it is important to read it together with the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). The following paragraphs explain what the Kyoto Protocol says and, where necessary, the relevant articles of the FCCC have been quoted. And, wherever possible, the implications of the various clauses of the Kyoto Protocol have been drawn out, especially from the point of view of developing countries.