Options for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol

With the long awaited entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol on 16 February 2005 there is hope that the deadlock in international climate negotiations can be overcome. Still, the USA, as the largest emitter, has rejected emission reductions and developing countries will not act before industrialized countries (including the USA) have demonstrated substantial action. It is the general understanding that the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is only a first step.