Russia in volte face on Kyoto
In a surprising about face, Russia has hinted she may after all embrace the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases.
Contradicting a previous statement by Andrei Illarionov, presidential adviser on economic affairs, deputy economy minister Mukhamed Tsikhanov said Russia was in fact heading towards ratification.
Mr Tsikhanov said: “I cannot comment on Illarionov but we do not have any information in Government about the fact that a decision has been made.”
Mr Illarionov’s statement, purportedly on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the treaty in its current form was dead-in-the-water, as it would “significantly” hamper Russia’s fragile economic growth.
Analysts said the objection to the Protocol reflected Moscow’s view that the EU was dragging its feet on Russia’s accession to the WTO.
The 1997 Kyoto Agreement aims to cut emissions of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, mainly responsible for global warming. The accord needs the approval of 55 countries responsible for 55 per cent of global emissions.
Russia has the deciding vote because the United States, the world’s biggest polluter, has also rejected the accord.
Thus far, 120 countries have signed up, representing 44 per cent of emissions.
