ral decisions among themselves though. (UNEP)In Ottawa 1984, ten states pledged to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by thirty percent and had twenty-one states sign that became known as the Helsinki Protocol in 1985. The Helsinki Protocol still lacked support from the U.S., Great Britain, and Poland who by themselves produced thirty percent of the world’s emissions. The second sulfur protocol came at Oslo in 1994. Twenty-eight countries signed this protocol and it set different requirements for each country. The aim was to get the greatest possible effect at the least possible cost. This protocol came into force on August of 1998. There were three different positions that came out of Oslo. Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and West Germany advocated a thirty percent reduction, but the U.S. did not agree to these terms. Environmental organization called for a seventy-five percent reduction in ten years. The Sophia Protocol signed by twenty-three European countries, the U.S. and Canada in 1988, reflect compromise calling for a freeze of 1987 levels while postponing compliance until 1994, a U.S. demand. (UNEP)Four additional protocols have been adopted contributing significance on strengthening the regime. The VOC protocol had three different national positions and calls for a fifteen percent reduction in VOC’s. The protocol on Heavy Metals called for cut emissions from industrial sources, combustion and incineration. The protocol on persistent organic pollutants (Pops) focused on eleven pesticides, two industrial chemicals, and three by-products. Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication, and Ground Level Ozone set regulations on all four pollutants. ...
