Open Access

Simone Schiele

• Purpose This paper aims to clarify the scope and content of the obligations and responsibilities which the European Community (EC) and the European Union (EU) Member States assumed under the Kyoto Protocol, including an examination of the procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the participation of the EU as a “Regional Economic Integration Organization” in the Kyoto Protocol and explores the implications of possible non‐compliance with its obligations. Findings While there is uncertainty, the text of the Kyoto Protocol as well as its negotiating history suggest that the EC entered into an emissions‐reduction commitment of 8 per cent additional to the obligations of EU Member States which redistributed their targets under a burden‐sharing agreement. Originality/value The paper challenges the prevalent opinion that the EC and the Member States of the EU share a common emission‐reduction target of 8 per cent under thePurpose This paper aims to clarify the scope and content of the obligations and responsibilities which the European Community (EC) and the European Union (EU) Member States assumed under the Kyoto Protocol, including an examination of the procedures and mechanisms relating to compliance. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the participation of the EU as a “Regional Economic Integration Organization” in the Kyoto Protocol and explores the implications of possible non‐compliance with its obligations. Findings While there is uncertainty, the text of the Kyoto Protocol as well as its negotiating history suggest that the EC entered into an emissions‐reduction commitment of 8 per cent additional to the obligations of EU Member States which redistributed their targets under a burden‐sharing agreement. Originality/value The paper challenges the prevalent opinion that the EC and the Member States of the EU share a common emission‐reduction target of 8 per cent under the Kyoto Protocol.…