The Kyoto Protocol was a landmark international agreement aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. However, China, one of the world`s largest polluters, was not included in the original agreement. There are several reasons why China was excluded from the Kyoto Protocol, and in this article, we will explore them in detail.
One of the main factors that led to China`s exclusion from the original Kyoto Protocol was its status as a developing country. At the time, China was still considered a developing nation, and as such, it was not required to reduce its emissions under the Agreement. This was a controversial decision, as China was already one of the world`s largest polluters, and its exclusion meant that the Protocol may not have been as effective in reducing global emissions as it could have been.
Another reason why China was not included in the original Kyoto Protocol was due to concerns over its economic growth. The Chinese economy was growing at a rapid pace, and there were concerns that imposing emission reduction targets could hinder its economic progress. Furthermore, many developed countries were wary of imposing strict emissions targets on China, as they feared that it could lead to manufacturing job losses and other economic consequences.
Additionally, there were concerns over China`s ability to accurately measure and report its emissions. At the time, China`s environmental monitoring systems were not as advanced as those in developed countries, and there were concerns that its emissions data may not be reliable. This lack of transparency made it difficult for other countries to assess China`s impact on global emissions and negotiate with them on emission control.
Lastly, there were geopolitical factors that contributed to China`s exclusion from the Kyoto Protocol. At the time, China was not as engaged in international climate change negotiations as it is today, and there were concerns that its inclusion in the Protocol may have been seen as a political victory for the Chinese government. There were also concerns that China would not be willing to comply with the Protocol, which could undermine the effectiveness of the agreement.
In conclusion, there were several reasons why China was excluded from the original Kyoto Protocol agreement. Its developing country status, concerns over economic growth, lack of transparency in emissions reporting, and geopolitical factors all played a role in the decision. However, with China now taking a more active role in international climate negotiations, it will be interesting to see how its inclusion in future agreements will impact global emissions reduction efforts.