WRI Praises Russia's Commitment to Ratify Kyoto Protocol 9/3/2002
From: Adlai Amor of the World Resources Institute, in Johannesburg from Aug. 23 to Sept. 5: mobile: 27-82-858-5140, or e-mail: aamor@wri.org, Web: http://newsroom.wri.org WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 -- The World Resources Institute (WRI) today praised the Russian Federation's commitment to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, clearing a major hurdle for this controversial climate treaty to come into force. "We are happy that the Russian Federation and most of the world has now accepted binding rules on how to mitigate global climate change," said WRI president Jonathan Lash. "This is a forward-looking decision by Russia and we are glad they stood their ground despite the pressure exerted by the Bush Administration." Russia's commitment to ratify was announced today, the penultimate day of the on-going World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. It is the first time they have done so. The Kyoto Protocol, named after the city where it was negotiated, needs to be ratified by at least 55 parties to the treaty, including rich countries which contribute 55 percent of the world's output of climate-changing carbon dioxide. The fate of the Kyoto Protocol has been hanging in the balance since U.S. president George W. Bush pulled out of the treaty, saying that it was flawed. Australia followed suit. As of Aug. 30, 2002, 89 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, including countries which account for 37.1 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The Russian Federation contributes 17.4 percent of the world's emissions, leaving only 0.5 percent before the treaty can come into full force. "I am sorry that the Bush Administration still refuses to recognize that global warming threatens our future security and that we can only stop it through global cooperation," said Lash. ------ The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org/wri) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the Earth and improve people's lives. |