The Kyoto Protocol In Canada

The Kyoto Protocol, which took effect on February 16, 2005, aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions around the world. The debate whether the issue of climate change is valid or whether it is an exaggerated theory is still ongoing. Given that the Kyoto Protocol raises economic concerns and that it lacks overall effectiveness, Canada and businesses in general should not be in favour of it. This is in part because of the treaty’s conditions and partially because of the actions of other nations regarding the treaty. In order to demonstrate the lack of effectiveness, the economic impacts must first be discussed.

Canada should not support the Kyoto Protocol because it has negative effects on the Canadian economy. Given that the
By definition, utilitarianism is the ethical principal in which an action should be taken if it creates the greatest good for the greatest number. While the intentions of the Protocol are good, they have unintended impacts on Canada from an economic standpoint. While it may produce a greater good as far as climate change is concerned, it has negative effects for Canadians citizens and corporations. It does not create the greatest good for most Canadians. Considering that there is no conclusive evidence that all of the countries will be able to meet their required target for reduced emissions and that these reductions will have a significant impact on global warming, the Protocol may not be doing as much good as once thought. If the scope of the argument is limited to Canada as a nation, the Kyoto Protocol is actually not beneficial for Canadians. The ends, in this case, certainly do not justify the
The treaty divides participants into two groups: Annex 1 nations and Non-Annex 1 nations. Annex 1 nations are considered developed countries, such as Canada, and are required by the Protocol to reduce their emissions as well as provide greenhouse gas inventories annually. Non-Annex 1 nations, considered developing countries, are not required to reduce their emissions. This creates very little incentive for Non-Annex 1 nations to reduce their emissions and does not impose any accountability on them. Countries such as China and India, which are among the worst polluters, are not required to reduce emissions by Kyoto because they are not considered Annex 1 nations. The United States did not ratify it and therefore does not abide by it. This renders the Kyoto Protocol relatively ineffective, as it does not force some of the worst offenders to reduce their contribution to the problem. The concept of assigning emission reductions for one country and not to another because the latter is considered to be “developing” does not seem just. If a country is producing a large amount of pollution, as are several Non-Annex 1 nations, they should be subject to the same standards as Annex 1 nations. It becomes a matter of responsibility. By consequence, the Non-Annex 1 countries are not required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions until 2012, when a new treaty is