Evolution of commitments under the UNFCCC: Involving newly industrialized economies and developing countries

International negotiations have lead to first steps in combating climate change with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. Under the Protocol, industrialized countries have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by around five per cent between 2008 and 2012 compared to 1990 levels. It is however broadly recognized that further steps are necessary to stabilize the climate in the long term.