Kyoto Protocol was signed by over 192 countries in 1992. Various nations pledged to reduce their green-house gas emissions, by recognising that human-generated CO₂ is a major cause of global warming.

The Protocol is based on COMMON BUT DIFFERENTIATED RESPONSIBILITIES: the developing nations have been given more room to meet the conditions than the developed counterparts. A major reason for this is the recognition of the fact that developed nations have been using coal and other fuels for much longer than the less industrialised countries. Also, there is need for economic up-liftment through the development of manufacturing sectors.

The countries are required to reduce their emissions and also design ways to absorb these gases more, and utilize all available resources to cut the amount of green-house gases in the atmosphere.