Kyoto Mechanisms

Clean development mechanism

To enable industrialized countries to finance emission-reduction projects in developing countries and to obtain emission-reduction credits for doing so.

International emissions trading

To permit industrialized countries to buy and sell emission-reduction credits among themselves.

Joint implementation

Refers to joint projects among industrialized countries that have Kyoto targets and permits the sharing of emission-reduction credits.

Other Issues

Carbon sinks

Refers to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere by forests and by good management of agricultural soils. Can be used by countries to offset their emission targets.

Compliance measures

To ensure that countries live up to the rules and play fairly.

Financial support

To provide financial resources to developing countries for the implementation of the Protocol.

Technology transfer

To promote, facilitate, and finance the transfer of environmentally sound technologies, particularly to developing countries.