The Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol are two international treaties aimed at mitigating climate change. While both agreements share the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there are significant differences between them.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005. It established binding emissions reduction targets for developed countries, representing approximately 55% of global emissions. Each signatory country was required to reduce their emissions to a specific level below their 1990 levels. The United States, which at the time was the world`s largest emitter, refused to ratify the agreement.

The Paris Agreement, on the other hand, was adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016. It is a more broad-based agreement, with almost all countries in the world having signed on. The Paris Agreement aims to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. However, unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement does not include binding emissions reduction targets.

Another significant difference between the two agreements is the approach to emissions reporting and monitoring. Under the Kyoto Protocol, countries were required to report their emissions to the United Nations and undergo periodic reviews to ensure compliance with their targets. However, the Paris Agreement relies on voluntary submissions and self-reporting, with no penalty for non-compliance.

The Paris Agreement also places a greater emphasis on adaptation and support for developing countries. It establishes a global goal on adaptation, with a focus on vulnerable countries and communities, and also establishes a financial mechanism to provide support for developing countries to transition to a low-carbon economy.

In conclusion, while both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement share the goal of mitigating climate change, the Paris Agreement takes a more broad-based, voluntary approach, with a focus on global cooperation and support for developing countries.