78. Kyoto Protocol and Renewable Energy Development

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 calling upon the 38 developed countries to cut down the “green-house gas emissions” to levels that are 5% below the 1990 level on average. The Kyoto protocol amongst other recommendations suggest for developing renewable energy resources as a means for reducing green-house gas emissions. This paper discusses the capability of the proposed mechanisms in the Kyoto protocol to catalyse development of renewable energy sources for meeting growing energy demands in lieu of commercial fuel based energy sources. Considering associated economic, social and political issues, the discussions however come to a conclusion that the Kyoto recommendations cannot as such propel the growth of renewable energy sources being a higher cost option in the present and the foreseeable future and may have limited catalytic effect through “joint implementation” and “clean development mechanisms”.