The Climate Action Network promotes a parallel three track approach to mitigating climate change which includes a Kyoto track, a ‘Greening’ (decarbonisation) track, and an Adaptation track.  The goal of this approach is to facilitate action that will prevent harmful climate change and keep global warming as far below 2°C as possible.

The Kyoto Track

The Kyoto track utilizes the legally binding instruments of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol to drive greenhouse gas emissions reductions.  The Kyoto Protocol contains mandatory provisions for the reduction of greenhouse gases by Annex I (industrialized) countries.  Obligatory, dated targets, emissions trading programs, and compliance mechanisms are vital components of the Protocol.  In accordance with principles of historical responsibility and equity, only industrialized countries will be subject to these commitments.  However, as developing countries industrialize, they will come under the purview of the Protocol’s mandatory provisions.  The Kyoto track will spur the rapid development of sustainable technologies by industrialized countries, which will then be transferred to developing countries in the ‘Greening’ track.

The "Greening" Track

The ‘Greening’ (decarbonisation) track involves the rapid introduction of clean, sustainable technologies to developing countries in order that they may reduce their current emissions and follow a low carbon path to development.  The ability of these countries to develop in a sustainable way is largely dependent on the provision of technical and other assistance from industrialized countries.  The ‘Greening’ track applies to all developing countries except the least developed countries (LDCs), whose emissions are negligible, though they will be provided incentives to participate if they so desire.  The emissions reduction and clean development goals will vary according to the capacity of individual developing countries.

The Adaptation Track

The Adaptation track is designed to assist the most vulnerable counties (small island states and LDCs) in anticipating and limiting the unavoidable effects of climate change.  Industrialized countries bear the responsibility of providing assistance to these countries and, in the case that some consequences of climate change cannot be mitigated, the responsibility of compensation.  Countries that receive assistance in the Adaptation track may also participate in the other tracks if their circumstances permit.

Historical Responsibility

This three track system is based on the principle of historical responsibility: industrialized countries, because they have contributed the majority of greenhouse gases that are now causing climate change and have benefited most from their exploitation of this global public good, have the obligation to act first to reduce their emissions.  The system also operates on the equity principle which posits that all countries have equal access to atmospheric commons, including future generations, and that developing countries be given the opportunity to industrialize.  Accordingly, rights and obligations are differentially assigned according to level of development.