This document was created in 1998 at a worldwide conference about the environment, held in Kyoto, Japan. It was designed to be an agreement by all the countries of the world to try and combat greenhouse gases. By signing the treaty each nation agreed to lower the amount of carbon monoxide it produces. Opponents argue that the limits are too extreme and would hurt businesses. Supporters argue that the fate of the planet is at stake. The United States has not signed the Protocol.