Question

How did Kyoto and Paris differ in their approaches to addressing environmental concerns?

A) Kyoto focused on emission reduction targets, while Paris emphasized voluntary commitments.
B) Kyoto relied on global agreements, while Paris prioritized regional initiatives.
C) Kyoto prioritized renewable energy, while Paris focused on carbon sequestration.
D) Kyoto advocated for individual responsibility, while Paris emphasized government regulations.

Answer 1

The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement differ in that Kyoto established legally binding emission reduction targets, while Paris emphasized voluntary national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement are both international treaties aimed at addressing global warming and climate change. However, they differ in their approaches to how countries should tackle these environmental concerns. The Kyoto Protocol, established in 1997, set legally binding emission reduction targets that countries agreed to meet by 2012. This protocol faced challenges as major emitters like the United States and China did not ratify it. On the other hand, the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, introduced a more flexible framework that allowed countries to set their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs) towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These commitments are voluntary and are designed to be ratcheted up over time. The focus on voluntary commitments rather than legally binding targets marks the primary difference between the two agreements.