The signatory countries of this protocol have pledged to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other five gases that cause greenhouse effect or increase their rights through emission trade in case they fail to do so. The protocol which was signed in 1997 could not take effect until 2005 because, in order for the protocol to take effect, the emissions (amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere) of ratifying countries in 1990 had to account for 55% of the total emissions on earth and this could only be attained after an elapse of 8 years through Russia's participation. The Kyoto Protocol currently covers 160 countries and more than 55% of greenhouse gas emissions on earth.

Measures to be implemented under the Kyoto Protocol require costly investments. According to the Protocol, the amount of greenhouse gas released to the atmosphere shall be reduced to 5%.

Legislation for reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the industry, motor vehicles and heating shall be rearranged. Less energy shall be used for heating, long distances shall be covered with vehicles consuming less fuel, technology systems requiring less energy shall be introduced to the industry and environmentalism shall be the basic principle in transportation, waste storage,

alternative energy sources shall be preferred to reduce the amount of methane and carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere,

bio diesel fuels shall be used in stead of fossil fuels,

waste disposal operations shall be reorganized in high energy consuming facilities such as cement, iron-steel and line plants,

systems and technologies releasing less carbon shall be introduced in thermal power stations,

the use of solar energy shall be encouraged, nuclear energy shall be brought to the foreground as a zero-carbon option, those consuming more fuel and releasing more carbon shall be imposed with extra taxes.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international framework agreement supplementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Turkey has approved on 05 February 2009 its membership of the Kyoto Protocol. Turkey does not have a quantified emissions limitation or reduction commitment under the Protocol.