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re: its got the goods - afr article very good
Russia's vote breaks Kyoto deadlock
Oct 01
Geoff Kitney | London


Russia has decided to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, ensuring the global pact to fight climate change will come into force and increasing pressure on Australia and the United States to follow suit.

The decision has allowed Labor to make a new pitch for the environmental vote in the federal election by attacking the coalition for its refusal to ratify the treaty.

Opposition environment spokesman Kelvin Thomson said the entry into force of the Kyoto treaty, which is now much more likely, "would mean Australia is isolated with the US while the rest of the world moves ahead in the battle against climate change".

Labor has promised to introduce an emissions trading system by 2008 and raise mandatory use of renewable energy.

Australia's coal industry is likely to suffer as a result of the treaty, which sets global limits on carbon gas emissions. However, demand for cleaner energy sources, including liquefied natural gas, could grow.



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The Russian cabinet endorsed the protocol and sent it to the Kremlin-dominated parliament, which is likely to pass it by the end of the year.

With Russia signing on, the legal threshold for the Kyoto treaty to come into effect will be reached.

However, Environment Minister Ian Campbell said Russia's vote would not alter the Howard government's decision not to ratify.

"The problem is that if the Kyoto Protocol comes into force, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by just 1 per cent, compared with the 50or 60 per cent reduction that is necessary," Senator Campbell said.
The treaty becomes operational 90days after it has been adopted by countries responsible for more than 55 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Russia's signature would take the total to nearly 60 per cent.

An official from the European Union, which has campaigned strongly for the introduction of the Kyoto treaty, said Moscow's decision honoured a commitment Russian President Vladimir Putin gave to the EU in May.

The EU agreed to back Russia's bid for membership of the World Trade Organisation - a step it sees as vital to Russia's economy - after Mr Putin indicated Russia would sign.

Kremlin economics adviser Andrei Illarionov was quoted by Interfax as saying it was a political decision, "a forced decision", to ratify Kyoto. "It's not the decision we are making with pleasure."

EU environment commission director Jos Delbeke said: "This is very good news; it is an important step which we were expecting."

A Japanese government spokesman welcomed the news that MrPutin would submit the treaty to the Russian parliament for approval.

The protocol was first negotiated in 1997 but has been stalled by the refusal of several key developed countries to sign up. Russia's decision is the difference between Kyoto collapsing or coming into effect.

Despite opposition from some of his economic advisers, MrPutin has been sympathetic to Kyoto.

EU support for Russia's WTO bid tipped the debate in the Kremlin in favour of signing.

Mr Delbeke said the formal introduction of the Kyoto treaty would put pressure on the US and Australia, which have both rejected it.

"We regard it as very important that Australia has said it will live up to its commitment to achieve its emissions targets, even though it has said it won't sign. We would like to see the US give the same commitment."

The US is responsible for 25 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions and President George Bush has argued that to cut them would hurt US industry.

Mr Delbeke said Russia's endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol would mean the CO2 emissions targets incorporated in the treaty would become valid international targets.

The move would give impetus to the EU's new carbon trading system, which starts on January 1.

"Companies will have to begin developing carbon trading devices in their accounting systems to prepare themselves for the impact of Kyoto," he said.

The Russian decision will be welcomed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has declared his intention to push for Kyoto to be a starting point for much more ambitious attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Illarionov and other Russian foes of the Kyoto Protocol have argued that joining the pact would stymie Russia's economic growth and made Mr Putin's goal of doubling gross domestic product in a decade unattainable.

Some observers have speculated that Russia was jockeying for more favourable terms when rules are worked out for a mechanism under which countries that come in with emissions levels below the targets can sell credits to nations that still need to reduce emissions.