Kyoto Protocol
kee-OH-toh PROH-toh-kol
kiˈoʊtoʊ ˈproʊtəkɒlListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
the 1997 international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that committed industrialized nations (Annex I parties) to binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for the 2008–2012 commitment period; the first legally binding international climate agreement; the US signed but never ratified it; superseded by the Paris Agreement (2015) in terms of global ambition; Kyoto is a city in Japan where the treaty was adopted
History and origin
Named after Kyoto, Japan (京都), the former imperial capital, where the treaty was negotiated and adopted in December 1997
Examples
- The Kyoto Protocol established the principle that developed countries bear greater responsibility for climate action.
- Canada withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol in 2011, citing economic costs.
Pronunciation tips
Stress the second syllable in Kyoto: kee-OH-toh. 'Protocol' is stressed on the first syllable: PROH-toh-kol.
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