Russia's backing of Kyoto Protocols welcomed by UN

The head of the UN environment agency has welcomed the Russian government’s endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol regulating emissions linked to climate change.

Moscow’s ratification would bring the pact one step closer to enforcement and “breathe new life” into the international climate negotiations that resume in December in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It would also invigorate interest in cleaner fuels, more efficient energy generation and renewable energies such as wind, solar and wave power, Klaus Toepfer, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said.

“Russia’s green light will allow the climate train to leave the station so we can really begin addressing the biggest threat to the planet and its people. I hope other nations, some of whom like Russia have maybe been in the past reluctant to ratify, will now join us in this truly global endeavour,” the UNEP chief added.

One hundred and twenty countries have ratified the Protocol, which is part of the UN Convention on Climate Change, but they represent only 44.2% of global emissions levels, while 55% is needed for the treaty to enter into force. Russia, with 17% of the emissions, would push the total beyond the threshold. The United States has not ratified the pact.

Mr Toepfer also said that the series of hurricanes that has devastated the Caribbean and the parts of the eastern US in recent months showed that an international alliance against climate change and for the reduction of gases is even more necessary than when Kyoto was signed in 1997.

(gmcg/mb)