<P> Most countries are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Article 2 of the Convention states its ultimate objective, which is to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere "at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human) interference with the climate system ." </P> <P> The natural, technical and social sciences can provide information on decisions relating to this objective including the possible magnitude and rate of future climate changes . However, the IPCC has also concluded that the decision of what constitutes "dangerous" interference requires value judgements, which will vary between different regions of the world . Factors that might affect this decision include the local consequences of climate change impacts, the ability of a particular region to adapt to climate change (adaptive capacity), and the ability of a region to reduce its GHG emissions (mitigative capacity). </P> <P> The main goal of the Kyoto Protocol is to control emissions of the main anthropogenic (human - emitted) greenhouse gases (GHGs) in ways that reflect underlying national differences in GHG emissions, wealth, and capacity to make the reductions . The treaty follows the main principles agreed in the original 1992 UN Framework Convention . According to the treaty, in 2012, Annex I Parties who have ratified the treaty must have fulfilled their obligations of greenhouse gas emissions limitations established for the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period (2008--2012). These emissions limitation commitments are listed in Annex B of the Protocol . </P> <P> The Kyoto Protocol's first round commitments are the first detailed step taken within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change . The Protocol establishes a structure of rolling emission reduction commitment periods . It set a timetable starting in 2006 for negotiations to establish emission reduction commitments for a second commitment period . The first period emission reduction commitments expired on December 31, 2012 . </P>

When was the kyoto protocol signed and by whom