The purpose of the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases regardless of how these emissions are produced. Countries which intend to maintain or increase their current level of emissions of these gases are able to engage in emissions trading with countries whose emission levels are lower that their quota (such as Australia and Iceland.)

The protocol only sets firm limits on developed or "Annex 1" countries. All developing countries are exempt from the requirements until they gain Annex 1 status. China, for example, which is currently exempted from the requirements of the protocol, is expected to become an Annex I country within the next decade. At that time the exemption will be lifted.

• Pollution is strongly linked to industrial growth and restricting pollution may restrict economic growth in these countries.


• To prevent developing nations from selling emissions credits to industrialised nations to permit those nations to over-pollute.


• These countries receive money and technologies from some developed countries.

The exemption of developing nations from the requirements of the protocol is controversial and is the main reason that the United States has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

In 2004 South Korea consumed around 2.14 million barrels a day. This amounts to a per capita use of 44.3 barrels per 1000 people per day, a comparable usage rate to Australia.

Between 1980 and 2000, oil consumption in South Korea increased fourfold. South Korea has ratified the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels, although it has not undertaken to meet specific targets.

South Korea was not included in the list above as this information has only recently become available to the source.

The driving bans suggested include requiring everyone not to drive one day out of every 10, or limiting vehicles with odd- or even-numbered license plates to driving on odd- or even-numbered days.

The IEA study admits that enforcing such bans would require the hiring of additional police or traffic officers. They estimate that one additional officer would be required for every 100,000 employed people.

An emergency treaty of the IEA – the Agreement on an International Energy Program – would require member countries to reduce oil consumption by seven to 10 percent if activated. The world’s five biggest economies – United States, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and France – are all members of the IEA.

Emissions from the burning of fossil fuels contribute to acid rain, global warming and poor air quality. In turn, these are responsible for environmental damage and human health problems including aggravation of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and existing heart disease and reducing the immune system response to inhaled micro organisms.

As a result of these concerns in December 1997 the Kyoto Protocol, which set limits for the emission of greenhouse gases was negotiated. In February 2005, 141 countries including the People's Republic of China had ratified the agreement. The United States has not ratified the protocol due to concern over some details, in particular that most provisions of the Kyoto protocol apply only to developed countries.